So, off to Leeds we went to see the mighty Iron Maiden. This band just go from strength to strength. This was a trial run for going to see concerts at Leeds Arena. The train times don’t work out so well for me and it means missing some of the concert to catch the last direct train home. We arrived in Leeds after boarding a direct train from Durham, with plenty of time to spare. For this concert I was accompanied by Jackie and Elaine. Elaine wasn’t too keen as she was not a fan of Iron Maiden but she came along to help Jackie and I and make sure we all coped with the trains.
A short taxi ride took us from the station up to the Arena, in time to catch the support act who were a German heavy metal band called Lord of the Lost. They apparently represented Germany in the 2023 Eurovision Song contest. They were pretty good too, and went down well with the crowd, many of whom seemed to know their songs. After a short break, time for a Guinness and to purchase a programme and T-shirt, the main act took to the stage.
I have followed Iron Maiden since the very early days when Paul Di’Anno was the singer and the first single was “Running Free”. I remember seeing them at Sunderland Mecca and at Newcastle City Hall with Def Leppard as support act. I have seen them several times more over the years and always enjoy their concerts. I know what to expect and sure enough Maiden delivered as usual. Lots of guitar solos with mad antics and shape throwing from the three guitarists: original Dave Murray, long-term member Adrian Smith and north-east lad Janick Gers who used to be in a local band White Spirit, and who I saw several times in the early 1980s.
Steve Harris, on bass guitar, founder member and leader commands the stage alongside singer Bruce Dickinson who I first remember as Bruce Bruce in Samson, a New Wave of British Heavy Metal band led by guitarist Paul Samson and with drummer Thunderstick who performed with a leather mask from within a cage; I kid you not. And last but by no means least is long-term drummer Nicko McBrain.
Iron Maiden drew their songs from throughout their extensive catalogue. The recipe remained as always: superb guitar histrionics, Bruce’s soaring operatic vocals and Steve’s thundering bass driving the band forward. Great visuals and backdrops, including some of Patrick McGoohan (“I am not number, I am a person”) for song “The Prisoner”. We manage to catch quite a bit of the show but, as I expected, we need to leave before the end to catch the train back to Durham and then our taxi home.
We all enjoyed the event, with Jackie and even Elaine agreeing that Iron Maiden were superb. Oh, and I must not forget the mascot monster Eddie who appeared as a golden, gun toting, cowboy complete with gold Stetson during the first part of the set. I am sure he must have reappeared after we left.
So, my conclusion about travelling to shows in Leeds is that it is worth doing so for bands I really want to see as long as I am prepared to miss out on the last part of the concert. Such is life these days. I guess I can’t have everything.
Setlist: Caught Somewhere in Time; Stranger in a Strange Land; The Writing on the Wall; Days of Future Past; The Time Machine; The Prisoner; Death of the Celts; Can I Play With Madness; Heaven Can Wait; Alexander the Great; Fear of the Dark; Iron Maiden.
Encore: Hell on Earth; The Trooper; Wasted Years.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by nedmalet on July 2, 2023 at 7:10 pm
They must be something to see and hear live. I met them in our home in 1983, when they were staying in Jersey for the first time, writing Piece of Mind. The inside album cover is shot in our Great Hall. And the single photo is our hall stairs – Flight of Icarus. I was 22 and had not heard of them. They were all charming! Especially to my late mother, Pat.
Posted by vintagerock on July 3, 2023 at 11:15 am
Great story. You lucky man! Happy days Peter
Posted by treetopflier2009 on July 3, 2023 at 10:05 am
“north-east lad Janick Gers who used to be in a local band White Spirit, and who I saw several times in the early 1980s.” I remember seeing White Spirit a few times. First time was at Ashington Central club. You could tell then Janick was different class! Nicko McBain was the drummer in The Street Walkers the first time I saw him!
Posted by vintagerock on July 3, 2023 at 11:04 am
Thanks for that. I didn’t know he had been in the Streetwalkers. I probably also saw him in that band. Happy days. Peter