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Iron Maiden

The Final Frontier North American Tour 2010

"Let me tell you a story..."  About a new Iron Maiden fan.

My name is Patrick Baxley.  I am in my thirties, and I am just now getting into Maiden.  I know it sounds crazy to just be getting into a band that has been together for as long as I've been alive.  It's even weirder to be just now getting into metal.  I remember around the age of middle school looking at my brother's Megadeth posters and being mortified.  I think I was a little too afraid of going to hell at that point.  I didn't want to risk it.

Once I'd missed the boat of getting into metal in middle school, I felt like it'd passed me by.

What captured my interest most about Iron Maiden is their work ethic.  They have been together over 30 years.  They have had little support from radio or mainstream media, yet they have managed to sell over 70 million records.  They also have devised a way to tour to more countries so they can reach more fans.  They travel in their own 757 Jumbo Jet, "Ed Force One", which carries the band, their family, the crew, and 12 tons of gear to each city.  The plane is piloted by the lead singer, Bruce Dickinson.

So Mike and I and two other friends (veteran fans) headed out for a two-show stint: Pittsburgh and Cleveland.  We were up front in the mosh pit for the first show.  I was absolutely exhausted after watching these guys.  Steve Harris, the bassist gets right up at the front of the stage, puts a foot on the monitor, and proceeds to mow down the audience with his bass, screaming every word right at the people in front.  It was so intense and direct.  Bruce Dickinson, the singer, is quite the actor.  He uses every word and gesture to sell the song.  He keeps the audience right there with him the whole way, directing the crowd for background vocals and claps.  Even though this is a set of less popular songs, the audience knows every move.

I don't know how, but the second show was even better.  I think, because the first show was merely a blur.  When you're in the pit, you're having to fight to stake your ground.  In our seats, we could sit back and take the show in, though we were never sitting.  Highlights of the shows were an homage to Ronnie James Dio before the song "Blood Brothers", every chorus (they really do write the best choruses), and their humble thanks to the audience.

It was inspirational.  On a year when Christina Aguilera and the American Idol tour are cancelling dates due to poor ticket sales, Iron Maiden is doing a pre-album tour and having one of the most well-attended tours in the world. And they do it all their way.

Up the Irons!

Setlist

The Wicker Man
Ghost of the Navigator
Wrathchild
El Dorado
Dance of Death
The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
These Colors Don't Run
Blood Brothers
Wildest Dreams
No More Lies
Brave New World
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden

ENCORE
The Number of the Beast
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Running Free