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Average setlist for tour: The Future Past

• Song played from tape Doctor Doctor ( UFO  song) Play Video
• Song played from tape Blade Runner (End Titles) ( Vangelis  song) Play Video
• Caught Somewhere in Time Play Video
• Stranger in a Strange Land Play Video
• The Writing on the Wall Play Video
• Days of Future Past Play Video
• The Time Machine Play Video
• The Prisoner Play Video
• Death of the Celts Play Video
• Can I Play With Madness Play Video
• Heaven Can Wait Play Video
• Alexander the Great Play Video
• Fear of the Dark Play Video
• Iron Maiden Play Video
• Hell on Earth Play Video
• The Trooper Play Video
• Wasted Years Play Video
• Song played from tape Always Look on the Bright Side of Life ( Monty Python  song) Play Video

Show Openers

Main set closers, show closers, encores played.

This feature is not that experimental anymore. Nevertheless, please give feedback if the results don't make any sense to you.

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Setlist, Photos + Video – Iron Maiden Play First Show of ‘The Future Past’ Tour in Slovenia

Iron Maiden have officially kicked off the all-new The Future Past tour in Slovenia, dusting off rarities from their classic 1986 album  Somewhere In Time and others   while also keeping focus on their newest album,  Senjutsu .

This run, Iron Maiden's first since concluding the exhaustive and already historic Legacy of the Beast tour, is the world's first look at the fresh stage design, built to accommodate the visual themes of the two eras that are in particular focus.

See the setlist further down this page.

Warning: spoilers ahead!

READ MORE:   Iron Maiden's Eddie - A Look Back Through More Than 40 Years of Metal's Best Mascot

Iron Maiden on Tour — Dates + Tickets

Catch Iron Maiden on the all-new The Future Past tour at these dates and get tickets here .

Iron Maiden Setlist — May 28, 2023

01. "Caught Somewhere In Time" (first time live since 1987)

02. "Stranger In a Strange Land" (first time since 1999)

03. "The Writing On the Wall"

04. "Days of Future Past" (live debut)

05. "The Time Machine" (live debut)

06. "The Prisoner" (first time since 2014)

07. "Death of the Celts" (live debut)

08. "Can I Play With Madness" (first time since 2014)

09. "Heaven Can Wait" (first time since 2008)

10. "Alexander the Great" (live debut)

11. "Fear of the Dark"

11. "Iron Maiden"

12. "Hell on Earth" (live debut)

13. "The Trooper"

14. "Wasted Years" (first time since 2017)

Photos: Iron Maiden Live - May 28, 2023

The 46 songs iron maiden have never played live, playlist: early traditional metal (nwobhm & beyond).

Over 200 songs! Listen/follow here .

Ranking the Opening Song on Every Iron Maiden Album

Ranking the closing song on every iron maiden album, more from loudwire.

Iron Maiden open The Future Past Tour with setlist packed with rarities and live debuts

What a setlist!

Iron Maiden kicked off The Future Past Tour at Arena Stožice in Ljubljana, Slovenia last night (28th May) with a setlist packed with rarities and live debuts.

Following the conclusion of their 139-date The Legacy of the Beast World Tour last autumn, The Future Past Tour features unperformed songs from the band’s 2021 album ‘ Senjutsu ’, rarely performed material from their seminal 1986 album ‘ Somewhere in Time ’, and classic tracks.

Arriving on stage to the traditional sounds of UFO’s ‘Doctor Doctor’, and Vangelis’ Blade Runner outro, Iron Maiden surprised the 14,500-capacity crowd immediately with the first outing in 36 years of ‘Somewhere in Time’ opener ‘Caught Somewhere in Time’.

Iron Maiden launched into another live rarity, ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’, next. It was the first time they had played it since New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom way back in July 1999.

Elsewhere, ‘Somewhere in Time’ track ‘Heaven Can Wait’ was performed for the first time in 14 years, while ‘ Seventh Son of a Seventh Son ’ single ‘Can I Play with Madness?’ and ‘ The Number of the Beast ’ classic ‘The Prisoner’ made the setlist nine years on from their last performances on the Maiden England tour.

However, the biggest story of the night was undoubtedly the live debut of historical epic ‘ Alexander the Great ’, a track that many Iron Maiden fans started to doubt they would ever see live .

Elsewhere during Iron Maiden’s spectacular set, ‘Senjutsu’ songs ‘Days of Future Past’, ‘The Time Machine’, ‘Death of the Celts’, and ‘Hell on Earth’ all had their live debuts.

Watch Iron Maiden perform 'Alexander the Great' for the first time ever:

Iron Maiden concluded the set with seminal songs ‘The Trooper’ and ‘Wasted Years’ – the latter made the setlist for the first time since The Book of Souls World Tour six years ago.

As the official Iron Maiden video below shows, two incarnations of Eddie appeared on stage - the cyborg Eddie from 'Somewhere in Time' and samurai Eddie from 'Senjutsu', with both battling Bruce Dickinson in spectacular style.

The Future Past Tour hits the UK & Ireland in June and July for arena dates in Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and two nights at London’s The O2.

Iron Maiden’s The Future Past Tour setlist:

1 - Caught Somewhere in Time (first live performance since 1987)

2 - Stranger in a Strange Land (first live performance since 1999)

3 - The Writing on The Wall

4 - Days of Future Past (live debut)

5 - The Time Machine (live debut)

6 - The Prisoner (first live performance since 2014)

7 - Death of The Celts (live debut)

8 - Can I Play with Madness (first live performance since 2014)

9 - Heaven Can Wait (first live performance since 2008)

10 - Alexander the Great (live debut)

11 - Fear of The Dark

12 - Iron Maiden

13 - Hell on Earth (live debut)

14 - The Trooper

15 - Wasted Years

Iron Maiden's legendary career in photos:

Iron maiden's career beginnings.

Bassist and sole constant band member Steve Harris founded Iron Maiden on Christmas Day 1975 after he exited his previous group Smiler for ventures new. Harris took the band's moniker from the medieval iron maiden torture device after watching the 1939 movie The Man in the Iron Mask. Alongside Harris, the first incarnation of Iron Maiden featured vocalist Paul Day, guitarists Terry Rance and Dave Sullivan , and drummer Ron Matthews. The band made their live debut at St Nick's Hall in Poplar on 1st May 1976 and soon took up a residency at the Cart & Horses Pub in Maryland, Stratford, which rightfully calls itself The Birthplace of Iron Maiden.

Iron Maiden's debut recording 'The Soundhouse Tapes'

Iron Maiden underwent numerous line-up changes throughout the late 70s with singer Paul Day the first to get axed in favour of Dennis Wilcock who mimicked his favourite band by wearing make-up and using fake blood during performances. Other members throughout this period included drummers Barry Purkis and Doug Sampson, keyboardist Tony Moore, and guitarists Bob Sawyer and Terry Wapram. Current Iron Maiden axeman Dave Murray joined Iron Maiden in 1976 but was sacked a year later following an argument with Wilcock. When Wilcock left 1978, Murray was reinstated to the band and has remained a constant member of Iron Maiden ever since. Paul Di'Anno was recruited as vocalist in November 1978 and shortly before New Year, Iron Maiden recorded the three-track EP 'The Soundhouse Tapes', which was limited to 5,000 copies and is now a highly sought-after collector's item.

Iron Maiden's 1980 line-up

Now guided by long-term manager Rod Smallwood , Iron Maiden penned a major record deal with EMI in 1979. With Dennis Stratton recruited as their second guitarist and ex-Samson drummer Clive Burr replacing Doug Sampson, who left for medical reasons, the five-strong band kicked off the 1980s by playing 11 dates of the now-legendary Metal for Muthas Tour, which was headlined at alternate dates by Motörhead, Samson, and Saxon. Pictured is Iron Maiden's Clive Burr, Dave Murray, Steve Harris, Dennis Stratton and Paul Di'Anno walking through a park in 1980.

Eddie the Head makes his debut

Iron Maiden released their debut single 'Running Free' on 8th February 1980 coinciding with the Metal for Muthas Tour. The single features the very first appearance of Iron Maiden's beloved mascot Eddie the Head . His creator, Portsmouth born artist Derek Riggs, obscured the face to build an enigmatic aura ahead of the release of their self-titled debut album two months later. Eddie had already been appearing at Iron Maiden shows for a number of years and was originally a papier-mâché head created by the band's lighting technician Dave "Lights" Beazley, before he soon evolved into a fibreglass head. Eddie has been an ever-evolving mainstay of Iron Maiden's albums, merchandise and live shows ever since and he's easily the greatest mascot in rock history.

Iron Maiden - 'Iron Maiden' (1980)

Iron Maiden's self-titled debut album 'Iron Maiden' was unleashed in the UK on 14th April 1980, and it stormed straight in at number 4 on the album chart. The band's only record to feature guitarist Dennis Stratton and to be produced by Wil Malone, the eight-song album was widely lauded by critics for its rampant ferocity and blistering and uncompromising heavy metal sounds. Mascot Eddie's proper horrorshow face was revealed to the world for the first time thanks to the striking Derek Riggs sketch on the sleeve.

Debut headline tour and Adrian Smith joins Iron Maiden

After cutting their cloth supporting Judas Priest on their British Steel tour, Iron Maiden embarked on their inaugural headline UK solo tour in April 1980 before hitting the road opening for KISS that summer. Following the high profile KISS trek, Dennis Stratton was sacked from Iron Maiden in October 1980 due to creative and personal differences, and Adrian Smith from Dave Murray's former band Urchin was recruited as his replacement. Pictured is Steve Harris, Clive Burr, Paul Di'Anno, Adrian Smith and Dave Murray in early 1981.

Iron Maiden - 'Killers' (1981)

Iron Maiden's second studio album 'Killers' was released on 2nd February 1981 and it was written almost entirely by Steve Harris. Interestingly, most of the tracks – except 'Murders in the Rue Morgue' and 'Prodigal Son' – predate the band's debut album, however they hadn't been recorded professionally until the band joined forces with producer Martin Birch , who went on to helm their next eight studio albums. 'Killers' peaked at number 12 in the UK and spent eight weeks on the chart, eventually shifting more than 100,000 units. The artwork depicts a murderous Eddie holding a blood-smeared axe as his unfortunate victim claws at his chest. The block of flats in the background is based on where artist Derek Riggs was living at the time.

Iron Maiden's first world tour

Following the release of 'Killers', Iron Maiden embarked on their first world tour – the aptly entitled Killer World Tour. Opening in Ipswich on 17th February 1981, the extensive tour featured 131 shows across the UK, Europe, Japan, United States and Canada. Singer Paul Di'Anno didn't complete the tour, however, as he was fired from Iron Maiden due to his increasingly volatile behaviour and waning live performances linked to his excessive drug use. Paul Di'Anno's final show was at Odd Fellows Mansion in Copenhagen, Denmark on 10th September 1981. Pictured are Iron Maiden wearing traditional Kendo uniforms during their first visit to Japan in May 1981 while flanked by two Eddie the Head characters.

Iron Maiden poke fun at the departing Paul Di'Anno

The original cover of September 1981's 'Maiden Japan' live EP depicted Eddie clutching the decapitated head of the then frontman Paul Di'Anno. Maiden manager Rod Smallwood swiftly ordered a redraft when he saw it as the band were preparing to oust Di'Anno. Despite Smallwood's best efforts, the EP was released with the original sleeve in South America.

Iron Maiden recruit Samson's Bruce Dickinson

Pictured is a 23-year-old Bruce Dickinson of British heavy metal band Samson in August 1981. After bumping into Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood at Reading Festival on the August Bank Holiday weekend, Bruce Dickinson auditioned for Iron Maiden in September 1981 and was swiftly recruited to their ranks. Dickinson played his first concerts with Iron Maiden in Italy that October before playing the Rainbow Theatre and Ruskin Arms in London in the run-up to Christmas.

Iron Maiden - 'The Number of the Beast' (1982)

With Bruce Dickinson as their new powerhouse vocalist, Iron Maiden released their third studio effort 'The Number of the Beast' in March 1982 and it climbed to Number 1 in the UK the following month. Boasting fan favourites including 'Run to the Hills', 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' and title track 'The Number of the Beast', the record is rightfully regarded as a masterpiece to this very day and a landmark album of the heavy metal genre. The equally seminal artwork for 'The Number of the Beast' was originally meant to be used on the cover of single 'Purgatory' eight months earlier, however, the band were so overawed that they asked Riggs to hold it back for their next album. An iconic image of Eddie holding Satan like a puppet and Satan clutching an even smaller Eddie, it was all too predictably condemned by staunch Christian groups in America.

Iron Maiden upset Christian groups in the US

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, Adrian Smith, Steve Harris, Clive Burr and Dave Murray hit the Queens pub in Islington, London in 1982 following the release of 'The Number of the Beast.' In support of the blockbuster album, Iron Maiden embarked on The Beast on the Road tour across North America, Japan, Australia, and Europe, which featured a coveted headline slot at Reading Festival. In the southern states of the US, Iron Maiden were met with protests from Christian groups who accused them of being Satanists because of their album title track. Unsurprisingly, the protests gave Iron Maiden some welcome free publicity Stateside.

Nicko McBrain replaces Clive Burr

In December 1982, drummer Clive Burr was ousted from Iron Maiden in somewhat acrimonious circumstances. Steve Harris maintained that the firing was due to Burr's offstage antics affecting his performances, while Burr claimed his dismissal was unfair. Iron Maiden drafted in Nicko McBrain, formerly of the rock bands Sleepwalkers and Trust, as Burr's replacement and Maiden soon decamped to Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas to commence work on their next album. Pictured is Iron Maiden backstage at the Alpine Valley Music Theater in Wisconsin in 1983.

Iron Maiden - 'Piece of Mind' (1983)

Iron Maiden unleashed their fourth album 'Piece of Mind' on 16th May 1983 and it peaked at Number 3 in the UK. A lyrically weighty musical opus packed with an array of cultural and historical references including Greek mythology ('Flight of Icarus'), Alfred, Lord Tennyson's The Charge of the Light Brigade ('The Trooper') and the life of samurai Miyamoto Musashi ('Sun and Steel'), musically 'Piece of Mind' packed a punch too and it saw the band finely hone their trademark heavy metal sound. Poking fun at their Satanism accusations, album track 'Still Life' featured a hidden message that could only be deciphered when played backwards. The album artwork saw Eddie undergo a dramatic transformation into a deranged, lobotomised mental patient complete with shackles and straitjacket.

Iron Maiden's World Piece Tour

Iron Maiden on their tour bus in September 1983 during the US leg of the World Piece Tour. A relentless trek, Maiden played 150 shows in seven months across the UK, Europe and North America. Bruce Dickinson noted in 2016 that their tour bus during the eighties was "the subject of all manner of shenanigans." The mind boggles...

Iron Maiden - 'Powerslave' (1984)

Very much keeping up the ante, Iron Maiden released their fifth album 'Powerslave' just 16 months after 'Piece of Mind' in September 1984. Once again recorded at Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas with producer Martin Birch at the helm, 'Powerslave' featured the towering singles '2 Minutes to Midnight' and 'Aces High' plus the 13 minutes and 45 seconds epic 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', a musical retelling of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 1798 poem of the same name. The visually striking, ancient Egyptian themed 'Powerslave' cover saw mascot Eddie morph into a giant stone Pharoah.

Iron Maiden's World Slavery Tour

Iron Maiden's Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris and Nicko McBrain during the World Slavery Tour in 1985. Easily the band's biggest tour to date, Maiden played 189 shows to an estimated 3.5 million people over 331 days. The triumphant yet highly gruelling trek was immortalised with the seminal live album 'Live After Death' in October 1985, which was recorded at Long Beach Arena in California and London's Hammersmith Odeon.

Iron Maiden perform to 300,000 fans at Rock in Rio

Iron Maiden made their South American debut on 24th January 1985 during the World Slavery Tour appearing alongside Queen at Rock in Rio. Pictured are Bruce Dickinson and Steve Harris in their imperious live glory in front of the 300,000-strong crowd. Suffering from fatigue and with tensions growing, Iron Maiden took a well-deserved four-month break following the conclusion of the World Slavery Tour in July 1985.

Iron Maiden - 'Somewhere In Time' (1986)

Iron Maiden's sixth record 'Somewhere In Time' came out on 19th September 1986 and reached no.3 on the UK album chart. Featuring no song contributions from Bruce Dickinson, instead Adrian Smith stepped to the fore with three songwriting credits – 'Sea of Madness', and the singles 'Wasted Years' and 'Stranger in a Strange Land.' The album saw Iron Maiden diversify their musical palette with the introduction of guitar synthesisers and although not strictly a concept record, the theme of time permeates through several of the tracks. 'Somewhere In Time' culminates with the historical epic 'Alexander The Great', which, although a firm fan favourite, has never been performed live by Iron Maiden. The visually potent artwork depicts a cyborg Eddie and there are dozens of references to the band's history and previous album/single sleeves across the front and back covers.

Iron Maiden in 1986

Iron Maiden looking resplendent in the California desert in 1986.

Iron Maiden's Somewhere on Tour tour

Iron Maiden's Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson on stage at Madison Square Garden in New York in April 1987 on the Somewhere on Tour tour. The ambitious stage set featured a giant inflatable cyborg Eddie as the backdrop.

Iron Maiden - 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’ (1988)

Widely regarded as one of Iron Maiden's greatest albums, critically lauded concept record 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' landed on 11th April 1988 and it powered to Number 1 in the UK becoming the band's first chart-topper since 'The Number of the Beast' six years earlier. Inspired by the novel Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card, the musically ambitious masterpiece saw the band meld progressive rock elements (complete with keyboards) with their trademark heavy metal sound. The artwork draws parallels with surrealists Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali and depicts a bodiless, floating Eddie holding his innards (which entomb a baby Eddie) while his head burns in direct contrast to the still and serene polar landscape. Rod Smallwood's brief was to create something "surreal and bloody weird" and Derek Riggs succeeded emphatically.

Iron Maiden headline Monsters of Rock

Iron Maiden's ensuing Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Tour featured over 100 shows throughout 1988, including, most notably, the band's inaugural headline appearance at Monsters of Rock in front of an estimated 107,000 people with KISS and Guns N' Roses also on the blockbuster bill. However, the event was marred by the tragic death of two fans during a crush during Guns N' Roses' set. Iron Maiden's two concerts at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre were immortalised in the VHS live video 'Maiden England' in 1989 and, later, the live album of the same name.

Bruce Dickinson releases solo album

With Iron Maiden taking some time out following the gruelling Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Tour, in 1989 Adrian Smith released the album 'Silver and Gold' with his short-lived solo venture A.S.a.P (Adrian Smith and Project). In August '89, Bruce Dickinson recorded the solo song 'Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter' with former Gillan guitarist Janick Gers for the 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child' soundtrack. Musical kindred spirits, the pair struck up a close friendship and they soon worked together on Dickinson's debut solo album 'Tattooed Millionaire', which saw the light of day in May 1990. Alongside nine original tracks, the album featured a cover of the David Bowie-penned Mott The Hoople track 'All The Young Dudes', which peaked at no.23 in the UK.

Janick Gers joins Iron Maiden after Adrian Smith quits

Following their break, Iron Maiden regrouped in 1990 to commence work on their eighth studio album. While the record was still in its embryonic stages, Adrian Smith quit Iron Maiden following a decade-long tenure due to differences in opinion with the direction the band were taking musically. Adrian was replaced by Janick Gers, who had recently worked with Bruce Dickinson on 'Tattooed Millionaire.' Hartlepool-born Janick was the first new Iron Maiden member in seven years and he's still with the band to this very day.

Iron Maiden - 'No Prayer for the Dying' (1990)

Released on 1st October 1990, Iron Maiden's eighth studio album 'No Prayer for the Dying' was more stripped back and raw musically than its two more experimental predecessors 'Somewhere in Time' and 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son'. It was recorded at Steve Harris' barn in Essex and utilising The Rolling Stones' Mobile Studio with long-time producer Martin Birch at the helm. The album featured Iron Maiden's version of Bruce Dickinson's solo track 'Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter', which stormed straight in at Number 1 in the UK (the band's only chart-topper to date) despite the track being shunned by mainstream radio stations. The 'No Prayer for the Dying' artwork was created by Derek Riggs and featured a more 'classic' version of Eddie the Head, emerging from a grave and clawing at an unfortunate undertaker's neck.

Iron Maiden - 'Fear of the Dark' (1992)

Following the year-long No Prayer on the Road Tour, Iron Maiden released their ninth studio album 'Fear of the Dark' on 11th May 1992, and it peaked at Number 1 in the UK. With Bruce Dickinson in particular unhappy with the sound of 'No Prayer for the Dying', Steve Harris' barn was converted into a 'proper' recording studio for 'Fear of the Dark'. The record was co-produced by Steve alongside Martin Birch who retired soon after its release. It proved to be not only Birch's final record with Maiden but his final ever before his death in 2020. Embracing weighty themes such as football hooliganism ('Weekend Warrior'), the AIDs pandemic ('Fear is the Key') and the Gulf War ('Afraid to Shoot Strangers'), 'Fear of the Dark' also featured the band's first power ballad, 'Wasting Love.' The album was the first Iron Maiden long-player not to feature artwork by Derek Riggs as the band opted for Melvyn Grant's eerie painting of a half-tree/half-demon Eddie instead.

Adrian Smith makes guest appearance at Monsters of Rock

Three months after the release of 'Fear of the Dark', Iron Maiden headlined Monsters of Rock for a second time with Skid Row, Thunder, Slayer, W.A.S.P. and The Almighty also on the line-up. The performance was immortalised with the November 1992 live album and VHS video 'Live at Donington' and the set culminated with former guitarist Adrian Smith guesting on 'Running Free.' He recollected years later: "Steve Harris rang me up and said, 'Why don't you come down and play Running Free' with us?' So I went down there and I didn't expect to feel the way I felt. The tour manager brought me up to the side of the stage and I watched a few songs. I got really, really emotional. I wasn't expecting it, but I was overwhelmed — the guys are playing the songs I used to play in front of thousands and thousands of people."

Bruce Dickinson leaves Iron Maiden

In early 1993, Bruce Dickinson announced his plans to leave Iron Maiden to focus on his solo career. However, with the band's Real Live Tour already booked, Bruce agreed to proceed with the shows as a farewell to fans. Unsurprisingly, the tour was blighted be inter-band tensions with Steve Harris in particular extremely unhappy with Bruce's inconsistent performances – claims that Bruce denied. Bruce himself later said of the tour: "It wasn't a good vibe. We walked out onstage, and it was like a morgue. The Maiden fans knew I'd quit, they knew these were the last gigs and I suddenly realised that, as the frontman, you're in an almost impossible situation." Pictured is Bruce Dickinson and Janick Gers at London's Wembley Arena on 17th May 1993. Three months later, Bruce Dickinson played his final shows with Iron Maiden (for now) at London's Pinewood Studios.

Blaze Bayley joins Iron Maiden

With Bruce Dickinson gone, in 1994 Iron Maiden pored over hundreds of demo tapes sent by vocalists aiming to become the band's new singer. However, with Steve Harris wowed by Blaze Bayley 's vocal prowess when Wolfsbane supported Maiden on the No Prayer on the Road Tour, the band successfully convinced him to join their ranks. Blaze Bayley told Planet Rock in 2021 : "They offered me the job. I'm so different to Bruce (Dickinson), I mean just so different in my presentation, my voice, everything. But I think they wanted to change, and they offered me the job. So I left Wolfsbane at that point and went on to the greatest job in the world for a heavy metal singer. It was fantastic, an incredible time." He added: "I don't know why they chose me, but they did, and the things that I learnt then - and already being a fan of Maiden - it stayed with me and that confidence that I'd got as a songwriter, that was unshakable."

Iron Maiden - 'The X factor' (1995)

Unfortunately for Blaze Bayley, his tenure with Iron Maiden didn't start well as he injured his leg in a motorcycle accident near his home delaying the band's tenth studio album. Eventually, 'The X Factor' finally saw the light of day on 2nd October 1995. Iron Maiden's first album since their eponymous 1980 debut without the now retired producer Martin Birch at the helm, sonically the band traversed darker musical realms including the Apocalypse Now inspired 'The Edge of Darkness'. Although 'The X Factor' was initially met with a more muted response than its predecessors, it's looked on much more favourably retrospectively and 11-minute epic 'Sign of the Cross' was added to the setlist for Maiden's The Legacy of the Beast Tour in 2018. The hard-hitting artwork was created by graphic artist Hugh Syme (noted for his work with Rush) and features a revival of the lobotomised Eddie.

Iron Maiden's The X Factour

Blaze Bayley's inaugural trek with Iron Maiden, The X Factour, ran for a year from September 1995 and opened with the band's debut shows in Israel and South Africa. It saw Maiden return to more intimate venues except for the closing South American and Mexican concerts that took place in stadia and arenas. Due to the rigours of touring, Blaze Bayley suffered vocal problems in North America resulting in the cancellation of eight show in spring 1996. Pictured are Blaze Bayley and Dave Murray at London's Brixton Academy on 10th November 1995.

Iron Maiden - 'Virtual XI' (1998)

After unleashing their first greatest hits compilation 'Best of the Beast' in 1996 and the accompanying standalone single 'Virus', Iron Maiden released their eleventh studio album 'Virtual XI' on 23rd March 1998. Widely regarded as a nadir in Iron Maiden's recording history, 'Virtual XI' was the band's biggest commercial flop to date charting at no.16 in the UK and - just like 'The X Factor' - it failed to dent the Billboard Top 100 Stateside. Yet, despite being savaged critically, there were some standout moments on the record including the fast and ferocious opener 'Futureal' and the bona fide Iron Maiden classic, 'The Clansman.' Melvyn Grant created the artwork of a demon like Eddie straight from the bowels of hell ominously reaching for a child wearing a virtual reality headset.

Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith return

Blaze Bayley's five-year tenure with Iron Maiden came to an end in January 1999 when he was fired by the band. Blaze noted 20 years later: "It was a shock to leave Iron Maiden - it was an absolute shock. But CD sales were gone; there was no interest in the band; things were going down; and they wanted a reunion (with Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith) — the record company wanted a reunion." Manager Rod Smallwood convinced Steve Harris to welcome Bruce Dickinson back into the band and the vocalist accepted during a meeting in Brighton in January 1999. The very same day Adrian Smith was also invited back by phone and Iron Maiden became a three-guitar, six-piece heavy metal behemoth. The line-up has remained constant to this very day.

Iron Maiden's The Ed Hunter Tour

The newly 12-legged Iron Maiden embarked on The Ed Hunter Tour in the summer of 1999 in support of their greatest hits album and video game 'Ed Hunter.' A relatively short trek compared to Maiden's usual tours, the band played 28 shows in North America and Europe. Dave Murray broke his finger in Los Angeles resulting in the cancellation of the band's gigs in San Jose, Paradise and Mesa.

Iron Maiden - 'Brave New World' (2000)

Iron Maiden's twelfth studio album 'Brave New World' was unleashed to Planet Earth on 29th May 2000. Lauded by critics and Iron Maiden fans alike, 'Brave New World' was named after the Aldous Huxley novel of the same name and it was recorded with esteemed producer Kevin 'The Caveman' Shirley at Studio Guillaume Tell in France. Musically, 'Brave New World' is a majestic heavy metal opus that has plenty of progressive flourishes and it ushered in the new Millennium perfectly for the band. Towering tunes including 'The Wicker Man' and 'Blood Brothers' (which Steve Harris penned for his late dad) are widely regarded as Maiden classics. For the artwork, Derek Riggs (returning to a Maiden cover for the first time in a decade) created the Eddie that appears as a menacing cloud of smoke above a Steve Stone illustration of a space-age London. It would be Riggs' last Iron Maiden album cover artwork to the present day.

Iron Maiden's Brave New World Tour

The Brave New World Tour took place from June 2000 to January 2001 and saw Iron Maiden perform 81 shows in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. Pictured is the fearsome wicker incarnation of Eddie at London's Earl Court Arena on the opening month of the tour.

Iron Maiden's Steve Harris and Adrian Smith at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois on 17th October 2000 during their Brave New World Tour. Three months later, Iron Maiden performed in front of a massive crowd of 250,000 fans at Rock in Rio, which was released as a live album and video.

Iron Maiden raise money for Clive Burr

In March 2002, Iron Maiden performed a trio of sold-out benefit concerts at London's Brixton Academy raising money for former drummer Clive Burr, who had recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Iron Maiden played two further gigs for Burr's MS Trust Fund charity in 2005 and 2007 respectively.

Iron Maiden headline the first Download Festival

Iron Maiden headlined the opening night at the very first Download Festival at Donington Park – the home of Monsters of Rock – on Saturday 31st May 2003.

Iron Maiden - 'Dance of Death' (2003)

Two weeks after the conclusion of their Give Me Ed... 'Til I'm Dead Tour, Iron Maiden released their thirteenth studio album 'Dance of Death' on 2nd September 2003. Peaking at no.2 in the UK, the acclaimed album was produced by Kevin Shirley and it contains two Iron Maiden firsts – 'Journeyman' is their first ever fully acoustic track, while 'New Frontier' is the first and only song in Iron Maiden's formidable back catalogue to have been co-written by Nicko McBrain. Once again 'Dance of Death' is packed with historical references - 'Montségur' is based on the fall of the Cathar stronghold in the aftermath of the Albigensian Crusade in 1244, while the Maiden epic 'Passchendaele' references The Battle of Passchendaele in which half-a-million soldiers died in World War I. Eddie the Head plays the role of the grim reaper on David Patchett's computer generated sleeve.

Iron Maiden in 2003

Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith, Steve Harris, Dave Murray, and Janick Gers in concert at London's Earls Court in December 2003.

Iron Maiden’s Eddie Rips Up the World Tour

Tied in with their 2004 DVD The History of Iron Maiden – Part 1: The Early Days, Iron Maiden's Eddie Rips Up the World Tour in 2005 featured material from Iron Maiden's first four studio albums – 'Iron Maiden', 'Killers', 'The Number of the Beast' and 'Piece of Mind'. The first European leg culminated with a massive 60,000 capacity show at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden on 9th July 2005, before Maiden returned to headline Reading and Leeds Festival (pictured) at the end of the summer.

Iron Maiden inducted into Hollywood RockWalk

Iron Maiden were inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk outside the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles in August 2005. Alongside the band's handprints, Eddie the Head's skeletal claw was also immortalised in concrete.

Iron Maiden's Ozzfest show sabotaged

Sandwiched between the European dates, in the summer of 2005 Iron Maiden co-headlined the majority of the Ozzfest tour with Black Sabbath. Seemingly unhappy with comments Bruce Dickinson had made on stage about reality TV and certain artists using autocue, Sharon Osbourne allegedly sabotaged Iron Maiden's final performance at the Hyundai Pavilion in San Bernardino on 20th August 2005. During opener 'Murders in the Rue Morgue', Maiden were pelted with eggs, cups and bottle caps from a specific area of the pit and a man invaded the stage during 'The Trooper' clutching an American flag. Worse, the PA system cut out numerous times and "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy" chants were played through the speaker system. At the end of the set, Sharon Osbourne addressed the audience calling Iron Maiden "wonderful" but Bruce Dickinson a "prick." Rod Smallwood praised Iron Maiden afterwards for completing their set, saying "The imperturbable attitude and ability of the band shone through and in the end made this a truly remarkable rock and roll event, even if for all the wrong reasons. I do think the band deserve an apology from a number of people, and you know who you are."

Iron Maiden 'A Matter of Life and Death' (2006)

Iron Maiden's 14th studio album 'A Matter of Life and Death' came out 25th August 2006 and it embraced themes of war and religion throughout, including on the artwork which was created by Tim Bradstreet and depicts Eddie as an army general driving a tank through a desolate, war-torn landscape with his skeletal comrades. Continuing their rich vein of form since Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith returned to their ranks, 'A Matter of Life and Death' was praised by critics and it was their first album to dent the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 debuting at no.9 Stateside. Years later, Nicko McBrain has hailed 'A Matter of Life and Death' as the best record he has recorded with Iron Maiden.

Iron Maiden perform A Matter of Life and Death in full on tour

Iron Maiden's A Matter of Life and Death World Tour in 2006 saw the band perform 'A Matter of Life and Death' in its unadulterated entirety before culminating the set with 'Fear of the Dark', 'Iron Maiden', '2 Minutes to Midnight', 'The Evil That Men Do' and 'Hallowed Be Thy Name'. It was their first tour since 1982 not to feature 'The Number of the Beast' in the set. This was rectified in 2007 on the A Matter of the Beast Tour, which featured five songs from their latest records and four songs from 'The Number of the Beast' alongside other Maiden classics. Pictured is Steve Harris throwing his iconic pose in Toronto in October 2006.

Iron Maiden headline Download again

Pictured is Iron Maiden in Sofia, Bulgaria in June 2007 ahead of their appearance at the Lokomotiv Stadium. A week later they headlined Download Festival for the second time, which was their fourth bill-topping spot at Donington Park including Monsters of Rock. They concluded the A Matter of the Beast Tour at London's Brixton Academy on 24th June 2007 with proceeds going to Clive Burr's MS Trust Fund charity.

Iron Maiden's Somewhere Back in Time World Tour

Iron Maiden kicked off the Somewhere Back in Time World Tour in February 2008 and it took in 90 shows over 14 months in front of 2 million people. The setlist predominately celebrated the band's 1980s material including from 'Powerslave', 'Somewhere In Time' and 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' with rarities including 'Moonchild' and 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' getting an outing. Loosely based on the World Slavery Tour from 24 years earlier, the ambitious stage production boasted eyebrow-singeing pyrotechnics and the welcome return of the giant mummified Eddie, together with the cyborg walk-on Eddie from 1986. Pictured is Steve Harris at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne at the start of the tour.

Iron Maiden's Flight 666

The Somewhere Back in Time World Tour was a landmark trek for Iron Maiden as it was the first tour they commissioned an aeroplane – an Astraeus Airlines Boeing 757 to be exact - as transport. Dubbed Ed Force One after a naming competition on Iron Maiden's website, the plane was flown by Bruce Dickinson, who was also a commercial airline pilot for Astraeus, and it carried the band, their crew and all the stage production for the tour. Ed Force One featured in the April 2009 documentary film Iron Maiden: Flight 666.

Iron Maiden - 'The Final Frontier' (2010)

Iron Maiden's 15th studio album 'The Final Frontier' was unleashed on 13th August 2010. Widely praised in the music press, the album reached Number 1 in 28 countries around the globe including the UK where it was Iron Maiden's first chart-topper in 18 years. Musically it was densely layered and epic in scope and the album's 10 songs clocked in at 76 minutes and 36 seconds. The Final Frontier' is also notable as it was only the fourth Iron Maiden album that features songwriting credits from Steve Harris on every single track. Melvyn Grant concocted the alien-like Eddie the Head on the sleeve, and it proved to be highly divisive among fans. Steve Harris described this Eddie as "possibly the most outrageous one to date" and he wasn't wrong.

Iron Maiden's second Ed Force One and Grammys win

Iron Maiden's The Final Frontier Tour took place from June 2010 to August 2011 and took in almost 100 shows. The 'Around The World in 66 Days' leg between 11th February and 17th April 2011 saw Iron Maiden use a new Boeing 757 Ed Force One to fly between 27 shows in 25 cities in 12 countries across five continents. Their triumphant concert at Estadio Nacional de Chile on this leg was later immortalised with the 2012 live album and video 'En Vivo!'. February 2011 also saw Iron Maiden scoop their first ever Grammy Award - Best Metal Performance for 'El Dorado.'

Iron Maiden's Maiden England World Tour

Named after the 1989 concert video Maiden England, which was filmed in Birmingham in 1988 and later re-released on DVD, Iron Maiden embarked on the 100-date Maiden England World Tour from June 2012 to July 2014. Just like the 2005's Eddie Rips Up the World Tour and 2008–2009's Somewhere Back in Time World Tour, it was Iron Maiden's third tour inspired by a period of their history and the setlist largely echoed the original Birmingham show a quarter-of-a-century earlier. Firmly entrenched into Iron Maiden folklore, the band's headline performance at Download Festival in June 2013 saw them enter the stage as a Spitfire flew over the crowd in perfect tandem.

Clive Burr dies aged 56

On 13th March 2013, former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr died four days after 56th birthday due to complications from multiple sclerosis. Steve Harris said at the time: "This is terribly sad news. Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out. This is a sad day for everyone in the band and those around him and our thoughts and condolences are with his partner Mimi and family at this time."

Iron Maiden launch Trooper Beer

In spring 2013, Bruce Dickinson joined forces with Robinson's Brewery in Stockport to launch Iron Maiden's Trooper beer. On its eighth birthday in 2021, it was announced that Trooper had reached the huge milestone of 30 million pints sold around the globe. Alongside the original Trooper beer, there have been a number of spin-off brews including Trooper Fear of the Dark, Trooper IPA, Sun and Steel (sake infused pilsner), Red 'N' Black (porter), 666 (extra strong bitter), and Belgian styled beer, Hallowed, along with the annual "Day of the Dead" Trooper special edition.

Bruce Dickinson beats cancer

Bruce Dickinson was diagnosed with cancer shortly before Christmas 2014 when doctors discovered a small cancerous tumour was found at the back of his tongue during a routine check-up. In May 2015, Iron Maiden said in a statement: "We are very happy to announce that following his recent MRI scan, Bruce was today officially given the all-clear by his specialists." Bruce himself said: "I'm a firm believer in trying to maintain a positive attitude, and the encouragement from the global Maiden family meant a great deal to me. Right now, I'm feeling extremely motivated and can't wait to get back to business as usual, as soon as I can!"

Iron Maiden - 'The Book of Souls' (2015)

Iron Maiden's sixteenth studio album 'The Book of Souls' was released on 4th September 2015. The 92-minute musical opus was widely praised by critics, and it stormed straight in at Number 1 in the UK – their fifth chart-topping album on these shores. Recorded at Guillaume Tell Studios in Paris with producer Kevin Shirley, Iron Maiden gave the album a "live feel" by embracing spontaneity during the recording process - they entered the studio with only "outlines" of ideas before rehearsing them and laying them down in one go. Clocking it at a massive 18 minutes, epic Bruce Dickinson penned closing track 'Empire of the Clouds' is the longest song in Iron Maiden's four decade recording history. On 'The Book of Souls' album cover, Eddie the Head got a fearsome Mayan makeover by artist Mark Wilkinson.

Iron Maiden's The Book of Souls World Tour

Taking in 117 shows across 35 countries and five continents, Iron Maiden's The Book of Souls World Tour in 2016 and 2017 was the band's longest trek since The X Factour in the mid-90s. In true Iron Maiden style, the Mayan themed stage production was truly mind-blowing and it featured a 10-metre high inflatable bust of Eddie from Mark Wilkinson's album cover image, and an inflatable Devil Goat. The tour spawned the 2017 live album 'The Book of Souls: Live Chapter' featuring tracks recorded at various stops on the tour, including Maiden's 2016 headline set at an extremely soggy Download Festival.

Iron Maiden's third Ed Force One

Once again piloted by Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden used a third Ed Force One plane to fly between shows on The Book of Souls World Tour. Featuring the Mayan Eddie from 'The Book of Souls' artwork, Iron Maiden upgraded to an ex-Air France Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet, supplied by Air Atlanta Icelandic.

Iron Maiden's Legacy of the Beast World Tour

Inspired by their summer 2016 mobile game Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast and comic book of the same name, Iron Maiden commenced The Legacy of the Beast World Tour in 2018 and, due to Covid-19, it's due to conclude in Europe in summer 2022. In keeping with the game, the stage set design features a number of different but interlocking 'worlds' and a gargantuan replica Spitfire plane during opener 'Aces High'. Musically the opening legs of the tour featured a slew a rarities including 'Flight of Icarus', the Blaze Bayley-era tracks 'The Clansman' and 'Sign of the Cross', plus 'For the Greater Good of God' and 'Where Eagles Dare'. The tour has been immortalised with the 2020 live album 'Nights of the Dead, Legacy of the Beast: Live in Mexico City.'

Iron Maiden tease 17th studio album

In June and July 2021, a series of cryptic clues were unveiled pointing towards Iron Maiden's first studio album. In a Sky News interview, Bruce Dickinson wore a Belshazzar's Feast T-shirt – the same image as a poster that appeared at Download Pilot festival in June. Fans. Belshazzar's Feast is the story of the writing on the wall in the bible and fans noticed that a Legacy of the Beast Tour poster had WOTW – writing on the wall – emblazoned on a wall. A series of other cryptic clues have followed including on a poster promoting Nicko McBrain's Rock N Roll Ribs restaurant, a Twitter user called Daniel (@bels_feast) following 16 accounts linked to Iron Maiden's first 16 studio albums, a poster at Robinson's Brewery where Trooper is made and much more.

Iron Maiden unleash 'The Writing On The Wall'

After weeks of Belshazzar's Feast and WOTW cryptic teases, Iron Maiden unleashed their first song in six years, 'The Writing on the Wall', on Thursday 15th July 2021. The seven-minute epic was accompanied by an incredible and thematically potent animated music video featuring a samurai incarnation of Eddie the Head. A sensational return to the fray for both Iron Maiden and Eddie.

Iron Maiden release 'Senjutsu'

Iron Maiden released their 17th studio album 'Senjutsu' on Friday 3rd September 2021 through Parlophone Records. 'Senjutsu' is a double album and it contains 10 songs that clock in at just under 82 minutes. 'Senjutsu' was recorded at Paris' Guillaume Tell Studio will longterm producer Kevin 'The Caveman' Shirley, and Iron Maiden founder and sole constant member Steve Harris on co-production. The album title 'Senjutsu' loosely translates to "tactics & strategy" and the Mark Wilkinson artwork depicts the samurai Eddie from 'The Writing On The Wall' video clutching a bloodied sword.

Bruce Dickinson quashes Maiden retirement rumours

Speaking in March 2022, Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson insists the band have no plans to retire. With all six band members in their 60s and drummer Nicko McBrain turning the big 7-0 in June 2022, Dickinson replied "I think we'll probably drop dead onstage." This was as the band geared up to resume their covid-delayed Legacy of the Beast Tour which had been postponed two years.

Iron Maiden return to touring after 2 year break

Over two and a half years after their last pre-covid show in Santiago's Estadio Nacional in Chile, Iron Maiden resumed their Legacy of the Beast World Tour in Croatia on 22nd May 2022. Reflecting the fact that they'd released Senjutsu in the intervening years, the tour saw a change in both setlist and stage production, with an all-new Japanese temple themed set. In June 2022, they headlined Download Festival for a seventh time with a career-spanning set that was widely praised. The tour sees them taking in North America, stopping in both the USA and Canada before the end of 2022. They've been confirmed as headliners for Wacken Open Air in August 2023, with further 2023 tour dates surely in the pipeline.

Iron Maiden announce The Future Past Tour

In October 2022, Iron Maiden announced they were bringing a brand-new live show, The Future Past Tour , to arenas in the UK, Ireland and Europe in summer 2023. The Future Past Tour will feature previously unperformed songs from the band's 2021 album 'Senjutsu', rarely performed material from their seminal 1986 album 'Somewhere in Time', and classic tracks.

Iron Maiden honoured with Royal Mail stamps

In January 2023, Iron Maiden became only the fifth British band to feature in a dedicated Royal Mail stamp set following in the footsteps of The Beatles in 2007, Pink Floyd in 2016, Queen in 2020, and The Rolling Stones in 2022. The 12 set of stamps capture Iron Maiden in their live glory and also celebrate their beloved mascot Eddie. Steve Harris said: "We were all absolutely astounded – in a good way! When we heard first about the commemorative project, and equally pretty much speechless when we saw the stamps for the very first time. They look superb and I think they really capture the essence and energy of Maiden. We're all very proud that Royal Mail has chosen to honour the band's legacy like this, and we know our fans will feel the same way."

Nicko McBrain suffers stroke

On 3rd August 2023, Nicko McBrain revealed to the world that he had suffered a stroke in January 2023. The 71-year-old recorded a typically cheery video message, explaining to fans that "The good-looking one" was now, 7 months later, feeling 100%. In a longer statement, Nicko explained that he had suffered from a minor stroke known as a TIA, which had paralysed his right side. Manager Rod Smallwood reassured fans that the band were looking forward to "many more tours together".

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Iron Maiden Revamps Set for 2023 Opening Night: Video and Photos

Iron Maiden kicked off their Future Past tour on Sunday at Ljubljana, Slovenia's Arena Stozice.

You can see the full set list, photos and videos from the performance below.

The British metal legends' current trek focuses on their most recent album, 2021's  Senjutsu , along with their 1986 LP  Somewhere in Time . Five songs from each album were played at tonight's show, including the long-awaited debut of Somewhere in Time 's epic "Alexander the Great' and the first-ever performances of four different Senjutsu songs. All told, only four songs remained in the set list from closing night of the band's previous Legacy of the Beast tour.

With singer Bruce Dickinson sporting black goggles and a futuristic full-length jacket, Iron Maiden hit the stage in front of a set resembling the Blade Runner- style Somewhere in Time album art. In a rather unique move, the band announced the set list via Twitter as the show was happening, commemorating each new song with its own specialized image.

The band opened the last leg of its Legacy of the Beast tour with the first three tracks off  Senjutsu , but  Somewhere in Time  has not received much playtime on recent outings.

"As it doesn't make a lot of sense to repeat this for a  Senjutsu  album tour, we thought about other options and we've decided to revisit  Somewhere in Time  as that tour didn't feature in the various retrospective history tours we've played over the years," bassist  Steve Harris  said in a statement.

"They were based on our '80s concert videos and sadly we did not film that tour," he continued. "We have had lots of requests from fans over the years for many tracks on it so we are now going to play them, plus of course a few others we know you will like! It will also be particularly satisfying to finally get to play some of the more epic tracks on  Senjutsu , it's been a long wait!"

Watch Iron Maiden Perform 'Somewhere in Time'

The European leg of the Future Past tour is scheduled to run through early August, before Iron Maiden heads to North America for a trio of Canadian shows in late September and early October. They'll also appear at California's Power Trip  festival alongside Metallica ,  Ozzy Osbourne , AC/DC , Guns N' Roses and Tool .

Watch Iron Maiden Perform 'Alexander the Great'

Watch Iron Maiden Perform 'Heaven Can Wait'

Iron Maiden, 5/28/23, Arena Stozice, Ljubljana (stats from setlist.fm )

1. "Caught Somewhere in Time" (first time played since 1987) 2. "Stranger in a Strange Land" (first time since 1999) 3. "The Writing on the Wall" 4. "Days of Future Past" (live debut) 5. "The Time Machine" (live debut) 6. "The Prisoner" (first time since 2014) 7. "Death of the Celts" (live debut) 8. "Can I Play With Madness" (first time since 2014) 9. "Heaven Can Wait" (first time since 2008) 10. "Alexander the Great" (live debut) 11. "Fear of the Dark" 12. "Iron Maiden" 13. "Hell on Earth" (live debut) 14. "The Trooper" 15. "Wasted Years" (first time since 2017)

Iron Maiden Albums Ranked

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IRON MAIDEN - Setlist From First Show Of The Future Past Tour 2023 Revealed

May 28, 2023, 11 months ago

news iron maiden heavy metal

Iron Maiden performed the first show of The Future Past Tour 2023 on May 28th in Ljubljana, Slovenia at Arena Stozice. 

The Future Past Tour features previously unperformed songs from the band’s most recent studio album, Senjutsu along with a focus on 1986’s iconic Somewhere In Time record, plus other classic cuts. The 15-song setlist was comprised of the following numbers:

"Caught Somewhere In Time" "Stranger In A Strange Land" "The Writing On The Wall" "Days Of Future Past" (live debut) "The Time Machine" (live debut) "The Prisoner"  "Death Of The Celts" (live debut) "Can I Play With Madness" "Heaven Can Wait" "Alexander The Great" (live debut) "Fear Of The Dark" "Iron Maiden" "Hell On Earth" (live debut) "The Trooper" "Wasted Years"

Iron Maiden's next show is May 30th in Prague, Czech Republic at 02 Arena. To view their complete tour schedule, visit this location .

The following official Opening Night video has just been released:

Fan-filmed video has also surfaced:

"Caught Somewhere In Time"

"Death Of The Celts"

"Heaven Can Wait"

"Alexander The Great"

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Iron Maiden kick off The Future Past tour: live debuts for five songs

Watch videos from the first show of Iron Maiden's The Future Past tour at the Arena Stožice in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Iron Maiden have played the first show of this year's The Future Past Tour . The band performed a 15-song set at the 12,000-capacity Arena Stožice in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The set for the tour is centred around two albums, and features previously unperformed songs from the 2021's Senjutsu  alongside a focus on 1986’s Somewhere In Time collection.

The set included live debuts for Days Of Future Past, The Time Machine, Death Of The Celts and Hell On Earth from Senjestsu , and one for Alexander The Great , from Somewhere in Time . The set opened with two songs the band haven't performed this century, Caught Somewhere in Time (last performed on the Somewhere On Tour tour in 1987), and Stranger in a Strange Land , a fixture on 1999's The Ed Hunter Tour setlist.  

Iron Maiden's previous live show was the concluding show of the Legacy Of The Beast tour at the Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL, USA, and a number of classic Maiden songs performed that night have been dropped for the rejigged 2023 set, including Hallowed Be Thy Name, The Number Of The Beast, Run To The Hills, Flight Of Icarus and Aces High . 

Full setlist and fan-shot videos below.

Iron Maiden's The Future Past tour continues with a pair of shows at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, on May 30 and 31. Full dates below.  

Iron Maiden 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

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Iron Maiden: The Future Past Tour 2023 

May 30: Prague O2 Arena, Czech Republic May 31: Prague O2 Arena, Czech Republic Jun 03: Tampere Nokia Arena, Finland Jun 04: Tampere Nokia Arena, Finland Jun 07: Bergen Koengen, Norway Jun 09: Solvesborg Sweden Rock Festival, Sweden Jun 11: Leipzig Quarterback Immobilien Arena, Germany Jun 13: Krakow Tauron Arena, Poland Jun 14: Krakow Tauron Arena, Poland Jun 17: Clisson Hellfest, France Jun 19: Zurich Hallenstadion, Switzerland Jun 21: Hannover Zag Arena, Germany Jun 24: Dublin 3 Arena, Ireland Jun 26: Glasgow OVO Hydro, UK Jun 28: Leeds, First Direct Arena, UK Jun 30: Manchester AO Arena, UK Jul 03: Nottingham Motorpoint Arena, UK Jul 04: Birmingham Utilita Arena, UK Jul 07: London O2 Arena, UK Jul 08: London O2 Arena, UK Jul 11: Amsterdam Ziggo Dome, Holland Jul 13: Antwerp Sportpaleis, Belgium Jul 15: Milan, The Return of The Gods Festival, Italy Jul 18: Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain Jul 20: Estadio Enrique Roca, Murcia, Spain Jul 22: Bizkaia Arena Bec! Bilbao, Spain Jul 25 Dortmund Westfalenhalle, Germany Jul 26 Dortmund Westfalenhalle, Germany Jul 29: Frankfurt,Festhalle, Germany Jul 31: Munich Olympiahalle, Germany Aug 01: Munich Olympiahalle, Germany Aug 02: Wacken Open Air, Germany

Tickets are on sale now . 

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 38 years in music industry, online for 25. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.  

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IRON MAIDEN The Future Past World Tour 2024 Setlist Playlist

Recent setlist playlist of Iron Maiden and The Hu going on the North American leg of The Future Past World Tour in the October & November 2024

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Iron maiden’s “future past tour” wows fans with insane setlist.

Iron Maiden, the legendary heavy metal band, recently kicked off their highly anticipated “Future Past Tour” in Slovenia to the delight of fans worldwide. The opening night of the tour proved to be a spectacle of epic proportions, leaving concert-goers in awe. However, it was the meticulously crafted setlist that truly stole the show, surprising and impressing fans with its bold song choices. Let’s delve into the thrilling details of Iron Maiden’s unforgettable performance and the significance of their song selection.

Unleashing the Madness: A Setlist to Remember

Iron Maiden took to the stage with an electrifying presence, setting the tone for an extraordinary night. The band treated the audience to a mind-blowing total of 15 tracks, carefully curated from different albums throughout their illustrious career. The setlist showcased an intriguing balance, featuring five songs each from “Somewhere in Time” and their latest release, “Senjutsu,” while also incorporating five beloved tracks from various other albums. This unexpected mix left fans buzzing with excitement and eager anticipation.

Surprises from the Start: An Explosive Opening

As the lights dimmed and the crowd roared with anticipation, Iron Maiden initiated the concert with an enthralling combination of “Evangelist” and the iconic “Blade Runner” intro. The atmosphere intensified as the band dived straight into the beloved classic, “Caught Somewhere in Time,” igniting a frenzy of applause and headbanging among the audience. The moment was particularly noteworthy as it marked the return of Adrian Smith’s awe-inspiring solo, performed live once again.

Journeying through Time and Space: Setlist Highlights

Throughout the night, Iron Maiden captivated the crowd with a series of captivating performances. “Stranger in a Strange Land” and “The Writing on the Wall” from their latest album injected a fresh energy into the concert, showcasing the band’s continued artistic prowess. A surprising inclusion came in the form of “The Prisoner” from the iconic “The Number of the Beast” album, a song that had not graced the stage since 2014, leaving fans pleasantly surprised.

Iron Maiden skillfully navigated their setlist, seamlessly transitioning from the haunting melodies of “Death of the Celts” to the infectious chorus of “Can I Play with Madness.” The band delved into the depths of their discography, treating fans to an exhilarating rendition of “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.” However, it was the highly anticipated performance of “Alexander the Great” that truly sent shockwaves through the venue, marking its live debut and leaving a lasting impression on fans.

A Thoughtful Journey: The Artistry of the Setlist

Iron Maiden’s setlist stood out not only for its song selection but also for its thematic cohesion. Each track, in one way or another, was linked to history, time travel, or the fear of the unknown, transforming the concert into a concept show reminiscent of a theatrical performance. This attention to detail elevated the concert experience, immersing the audience in a unique and captivating narrative.

Grand Finale: Nostalgia and Unforgettable Moments

As the main set drew to a close, Iron Maiden unleashed a powerful combination of “Fear of the Dark” and “Iron Maiden,” stirring the crowd into a frenzy. These classic anthems resonated with fans, serving as a reminder of Iron Maiden’s enduring legacy. The encore left an indelible mark with “Hell on Earth” and “The Trooper,” invigorating the audience with their unyielding energy. Finally, the concert reached its pinnacle with the iconic “Wasted Years,” providing the perfect conclusion to a night filled with unforgettable moments.

A Setlist for the Ages: Iron Maiden’s Unparalleled Excellence

Iron Maiden’s “Future Past Tour” not only showcased their timeless classics but also proved that the band possesses an arsenal of hidden gems within their discography. The carefully crafted setlist, with its surprises and thematic coherence, exemplified Iron Maiden’s unwavering commitment to their craft and the sheer depth of their musical journey. It may very well be hailed as one of the band’s finest setlists in their storied career, captivating fans old and new alike.

Iron Maiden continues to set the bar high, proving that their music transcends time and remains as powerful and relevant as ever. As the “Future Past Tour” continues its global conquest, fans around the world eagerly anticipate the chance to witness this remarkable spectacle and experience the magic of Iron Maiden’s unforgettable setlist firsthand.

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Iron Maiden Announce 2024 ‘Future Past’ North American Tour

By Charisma Madarang

Charisma Madarang

Iron Maiden is following a phenomenal performance at Power Trip earlier this month with a 2024 North American leg of its Future Past tour.

“We’re really excited to be bringing THE FUTURE PAST TOUR back to Canada and the United States next year. We know from the reaction of our fans at Power Trip and the shows we played in Canada recently that they really enjoyed hearing new songs from both Senjutsu and Somewhere In Time, and we’ve really enjoyed playing them!” said Bassist Steve Harris.

The trek has featured fan favorites alongside songs from the group’s 2021 studio album Senjutsu , which Rolling Stone praised as “one of the most rewarding and vital albums in Maiden’s catalog,” and 1986’s Somewhere In Time . According to a press release, Iron Maiden has played to over 750,000 fans at more than 30 sold-out shows across Europe in the summer of 2023.

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Iron Maiden 2024 Tour Dates

Oct. 4 – San Diego, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre Oct. 5 – Las Vegas, NV @ Michelob ULTRA Arena Oct. 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum Oct. 12 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival Oct. 14 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center Oct. 16 – Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome Oct. 18 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Delta Center Oct. 19 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena Oct. 22 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center Oct. 24 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena Oct. 26 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena Oct. 27 – Quebec, QC @ Videotron Centre Oct. 30 – Montreal , QC @ Centre Bell Nov. 1 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center Nov. 2 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center Nov. 6 – Worcester, MA @ DCU Center Nov. 8 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena Nov. 9 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center Nov. 12 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena Nov. 13 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center Nov. 16 – Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena Nov. 17 – San Antonio, TX @ Frost Bank Center (formerly AT&T Center)

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The Iron Maiden tour adds Phoenix date in 2024. Here's how to get tickets to the concert

I conic British heavy metal veterans Iron Maiden have added a Phoenix date to the North American leg of the Future Past Tour, playing Footprint Center on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, with Mongolian metal greats the Hu.

No further shows will be announced for North America.

The Hu issued a statement saying, “Iron Maiden is the master of the masters of rock music. They are one of the biggest inspirations to us! The way that they create and perform their music is majestic and we still remember the first time we heard their ‘Trooper’ song and felt the deep energy behind each word.”

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Iron Maiden last played Phoenix in 2019

Iron Maiden last played Phoenix on the Legacy of the Beast Tour in 2019 .

This will be their 17th performance in the Valley since playing Memorial Coliseum on June 4, 1981, as part of the Killer World Tour, their first time in the U.S.

Concert review: Iron Maiden make you wonder why more artists don't invest in 10-foot mascots

Future Past Tour features songs from 'Senjetsu,' 'Somewhere in Time'

The Future Past Tour, which features songs from Maiden’s latest studio release, “Senjutsu,” and 1986’s seminal “Somewhere in Time” alongside other fan favorites, played to more than 750,000 fans at more than 30 sold-out shows across Europe in the summer of 2023.

They also played Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver alongside their highly praised appearance at California’s Power Trip Festival in October, which had Consequence raving “Iron Maiden set the bar high at Power Trip” and The Desert Sun saying they “delivered a hard-hitting performance to open the festival on a high note."

The tour features one of the most spectacular stage productions of Maiden’s career.

How to get tickets to Iron Maiden at Footprint Center in Phoenix

Tickets for the Phoenix concert go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 29, at livenation.com .

Reach the reporter at  [email protected]  or 602-444-4495. Follow him on X  @EdMasley .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Iron Maiden tour adds Phoenix date in 2024. Here's how to get tickets to the concert

Iron Maiden - The Future Past World Tour 2024

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IRON MAIDEN ANNOUNCE FIRST SHOWS OF 2024’S THE FUTURE PAST TOUR

IRON MAIDEN will continue The Future Past tour into 2024, and here are the first dates to be announced:

1st September - RAC Arena, Perth, Australia * 4th September - Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia * 6th September - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia * 10th September - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia * 12th September - Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia * 16th September  - Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand * 22nd September - Sky Hall Toyota, Aichi, Japan 24th September - Osaka-Jo Hall, Osaka, Japan 26th September - Tokyo Garden Theater, Tokyo, Japan 28th September - Pia Arena MM, Kanagawa, Japan * Killswitch Engage will be Special Guests in Australia & New Zealand.

Steve Harris says, “We’ve really enjoyed playing all the shows on The Future Past Tour this year, and the reaction from our fans has been incredible. Being able to play some of these songs for the very first time has made the tour even more memorable and we can’t wait to continue it next year. We’re all really excited to finally be able to return to Australia, New Zealand and Japan as we know our fans have waited so patiently for us over the past few years. It’s going to be great to get back there, especially with this new show. We promise you all, it’ll be worth the wait!” Rod Smallwood comments, “All our best-laid plans to bring the Legacy Of The Beast Tour to Australia, New Zealand and Japan were derailed by the shut-down of the live music industry during Covid but we assured everyone at the time that we would come back and, as our fans know, we always keep to our promises. So, as you would imagine, we’re very much looking forward to bringing this amazing new show to you all and giving our loyal fans the best Maiden show we can. You can be assured it’s worth the wait. See you all in 2024!”

IMFC presales (Local times) Australia & New Zealand - Wednesday 18th October Japan - Friday 20th October

General onsale (Local times) Australia & New Zealand - Tuesday 24th October at 11am Japan - Saturday 9th December at 10am

Trooper VIP will be available for shows in both Australia & New Zealand.

Further dates for 2024 will be announced in due course.

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