Iron Maiden rocking in Stockholm

November 17th I went to see Iron Maiden play in the Globe arena in Stockholm. This was the first of four gigs in Sweden (three of them planned in Stockholm), concerts that sold out as soon as the tickets were released. I though I’d tell you a little about my history with Maiden and also what I though of Friday night.

My Maiden history

I started listening to Iron Maiden in the late 80s, around the time they came out with their Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son album, and I still remember getting the Can I Play With Madness single on an actual record as a birthday present from my brother. I’ve listened to them ever since and is still a major fan. This was actually my tenth concert with them! πŸ™‚

The gigs I’ve been to are:

  • Stockholm, Hovet 1990
  • Stockholm, Globe arena 1992
  • Stockholm, Circus 1995
  • Stockholm, Hovet 1998
  • Stockholm, Globe arena 1999
  • New York City, Madison Square Garden 2000
  • Stockholm, Stockholm stadium 2003
  • Stockholm, Globe arena 2003
  • Gothenburg, Ullevi Stadium 2005
  • Stockholm, Globe arena 2006

Before the gig

I was going to the concert together with my brother Martin, and since I’m very dedicated and want to be close to the stage (I want to be able to see the musicians up front, and have fun together with them as opposed to being 200 meters away…), I got to the Globe arena as soon as I could away from work. The line was already long when I got there, but accompanied by a “happy bag” from McDonalds, it was ok to wait. A little drizzle fell on me and it was relatively cold, but the atmosphere was very nice. Eventually my brother got there too, and after a total wait of a couple of hours, the doors opened.

Since, for some annoying reason, people can’t leave the front enclosure once in there (no nice wristbands like there should be in every concert), I thought it a good idea to pee before, and Martin went to the closet to leave our wet jackets. Once down on the arena floor, they had already closed the front enclosure! Oh, the misery! So I went up to Martin, who was still standing in the closet line, and told him about. However, it seemed like they would let some more people in eventually, so I got back to queue up for it.

And, oh joy, suddenly they opened the gate on the opposing side from where I was standing, so I sprinted over and got in! But… Martin still wasn’t there. Just as I saw him walk down the stairs, they closed the gates again. No! Immediately a line formed and I told Martin to get in it, since chances seemed fairly good that they would let even more people in, in time. Martin patiently waited as time went by, and only VIPs, people knowing the guards etc got in, but at the same time “there wasn’t room” for any more people (man, I hate such double standards where die-hard fans are fucked over because some other has better connections than them).

So, standing in the front enclosure, I waited for half an hour and then saw the opening act, all while poor Martin still waited in line. Martin got gradually closer and closer to the gate, though, so I felt hope during all this time. And then, finally, he got in, maybe 10 minutes before Maiden got on. We hugged it out, knowing that we would share yet another great concert experience seeing Iron Maiden. I love going cray on the floor, the mosh pit if you will, during gigs. Letting all this energy out, and just putting all your troubles and musts behind you and only having fun.

People who usually stand on the floor know that once you’re in the front enclosure, it’s a pushover to get very close to the stage. I think we spent a majority of the concert just a few meters from the stage, and had a great time!

The concert

Iron Maiden decided to play their entire latest album, A Matter Of Life And Death, during each concert on this tour, and after that, just a few extras. While I definitely like their latest album, very few albums are good enough to carry (almost) an entire concert. Personally, the only one of their albums I think would be up to the challenge is the The Number of the Beast one. Since I’ve seen them many times, for a time now I’ve been in favor of them playing other songs than The Number of the Beast, The Trooper etc. But my hope has been that they would’ve played other superb songs spanning their entire career, and not just what their latest album has to offer.

However, I have to give it to them that they seem to have found a nice compromise. During last year, they toured and played exclusively songs from their first four albums, to satisfy everyone’s needs to hear those songs. And, to balance this gig, during the concert they promised that they will come back in 2008 playing songs from the era following their first four albums. This means that there will be an Egypt theme (everyone not being around for Powerslave will go crazy with happiness over this :-)) and that a lot of olden goldies will be played. Me? I can’t wait for it!

All in all, it was a great concert, but it would’ve been better if they had skipped some of the new songs in favor of the old ones. Oh well, still a good night!

And, to top it off, once again I got a guitar pick from Dave Murray (my second now, we must have some kind of connection :-)). For anyone not knowing it, Dave is the guitarist in Maiden and for a fan to get one of his guitar picks is a fantastic thing!

Set list

  • Different world
  • These colours don’t run
  • Brighter than a thousand suns
  • The pilgrim
  • The longest day
  • Out of the shadows
  • The reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
  • For the greater good of God
  • Lord of light
  • The legacy
  • Fear of the dark
  • Iron Maiden

Extras:

  • 2 minutes to midnight
  • The evil that men do
  • Hallowed be thy name

26 Comments

  • Phil Sherry says:

    Adrian Smith > Dave Murray πŸ˜›

    Janick Gers shouldn't even be in the band, in my opinion. He ruins things.

    I first saw them 20 years ago: Somewhere On Tour in Liverpool. Amazing then, even more amazing these days. I had a great night on Friday and Saturday. Looking forward to 2008's tour.

  • Teddy Zetterlund says:

    I have to agree with Phil about Janick, he was a bit disappointing – which I didn't notice the first night (friday) cause that was my first Maiden concert ever, but during saturday night I could pay a bit more attention to details πŸ˜‰

    I like the new album and ejoyed the whole concert, and I'm really looking foward to 2008. I just hate the fact that I didn't start going to Maiden concerts earlier πŸ™

  • Pat says:

    My very first rock concert was Judas Priest πŸ™‚ Since then, I've seen Metallica (awesome), and Ozzy's recent tour (amazing – we were first on his list)!!

    I'd love to go see Iron Maiden, but the most ultimate concert I want to see is AC/DC.. I can't believe I've missed their shows, and I hope they come back!!

  • Anders says:

    Yeah… I'm jealous. The first time I saw them was in 1984 and they'd just released the Powerslave album. Amazing back then (just as as Phil says). A kind of weird feeling now when I realize that my eight years old son likes them as well. I guess we'll go together on the next concert :-). I'm a bigger fan of their mid-80's albums, so It'll be great seeing them live, playing those songs again in 2008.

  • Robert Nyman says:

    Phil,

    Ah, well, that's a bith harsh to Janick, even though I'm not much of a die-hard fan for him either. And 20 years, eh? Not bad, not bad at all! πŸ™‚

    Teddy,

    Welcome to a new world of Iron Maiden concerts! πŸ™‚

    Pat,

    I've seen AC/DC four times, I think, and they never let you down. From what I hear, they're producing a new album as we speak, and then I sincerely hope there will be a world tour to follow it.

    Anders,

    Oh wow, 1984! Back in the day! πŸ™‚

    I have other friends who have children that like Iron Maiden too, so yeah, Iäve heard about that weird feeling. Maybe I'll see you in 2008!

  • Martin says:

    Thanks for a great night bro! I can't believe that it was my sixth maiden gig, I'm getting old.

    I'm looking forward to seeing them in 2008. I rely on you getting us tickets πŸ™‚

  • Robert Nyman says:

    Martin,

    Yes, that's probably how it will go. I wonder when they're available… πŸ™‚

  • Pat says:

    Robert, you lucky bugger πŸ˜‰ I've been known to tell my friends I'd sell my body to see AC/DC! <<That's a scary thought>>, and you've seen them 4 times!

    But definately if Maiden came out here, we'd be there in a flash!  It's really cool to see some of you enjoy their music, and most of all.. know what band Robert is talking about. <<grin>> I feel old πŸ˜‰

  • Robert Nyman says:

    Pat,

    I feel old

    Ha! Don't we all! πŸ™‚

  • Rowan Lewis says:

    It makes me feel young… since the first time I listened to Iron Maiden was in 2000.

    Now if only they'd tour South Australia…

  • Johan says:

    Some of the best concerts I saw:

    – Prong 2004

    – Kong 1996

    – Swell 1995

    – Grant Hart 1995

    – Elvis Costello 1998

    Prong is like metal but I know of course Iron Maiden, a classic but never saw 'm in the flesh

  • I saw Iron Maiden in 1989 in Göteborg, but I was never really in to them. I was just there to see the opening act – W.A.S.P.

    Feel free to hate me, Iron Maiden fans πŸ˜‰

  • Robert Nyman says:

    Rowan,

    Ah, maybe one day… πŸ™‚

    Johan,

    Thanks for sharing.

    Christopher,

    Ha ha, no problem. As long as everyone's happy, it's ok with me. πŸ™‚

  • mary says:

    hey guys, 1st time i saw maiden were donnington, '88, absolutely awesome!! going to see them 12th dec, birmingham, an just a wee bit dissapointed to see the playlist, that theyre not performing many of the classics. i'll be back for a full review after the gig. lets av it….

  • brian kenyon says:

    If maiden had the same attitude as half the fans that only old music should be played at the concerts then they would be where the rest of the eighties bands are today!!!in the past and not selling any records!

    maiden have stuck to their guns!

    IRON MAIDEN DO WHAT IRON MAIDEN WANTS TO DO AND NOT WANT THE FANS WANT THEM TO DO!!

    A TRUE BRITISH MAIDEN FAN!!!!

  • fakk270 says:

    i agree that gers dont belong in the band however i dont agree that they have gotten better, i saw the somewhere in time tour and it sucked, i also saw the good ones including piece of mind,powerslave,and live after death. the best show was powerslave, so powerful… now they kinda sound mainstream with the drop d tuning and 3 guitars are just lame kick gers out the band and let steve harris write again cause adrian smiths writing isnt so hot they need to get back to where they were on the powerslave tour…..

  • fakk270 says:

    Congrats on Dave murrays pic robert…although he isnt "THE" guitarist in iron maiden…would dave be dave without adrian????i dont think so daves, sound is brittle lot of hammer ons and pull offs. adrian is a little more crunchy and heavy hence the guitars they play dave always with a strat or every now and then a flying v adrian les pauls or ibanez roadstars that was back in the old days now adrian plays a strat too and along with gers it just dont sound the same anymore and add in drop d tuning and they officially threw their sound out the window. listen to the trooper now with all three of em and then check out an old vid of just adrian and dave playing just regular d tuning it sounds totally different…somewhere in time was their turning point adrian was given some writing freedom and things started to change watch most of the vids from somewhere in time adrian plays most of the solos with dave doing mostly little fill in riffs and little solos adrian has a bold sound i just miss dave a few octaves higher right along with him they dont do that anymore like the trooper dave plays mostly higher on the bottom 3 strings and adrian covers the top and they sound great like that i hope they go back to that someday…but with gers i dont think it will ever happen again….

  • fakk270 says:

    ive seen alot of bands in my days i grew up in the 80s

    ive seen maiden 5 times,scorpions twice,metallica twice

    anthrax,voivod,celtic frost,exodus,ZZ top,Judas Priest,Aerosmith,ace frehley,ozzy with jake,too young to go see randy b4 he died…of all these bands i have seen iron maidens powerslave tour was the best all around show but the loudest were the scorpions on the love at first sting tour

  • Robert Nyman says:

    mary,

    Sounds good!

    brian,

    Personally, I don't want all old music at the Maiden concerts, but I don't want all new music either. A mix is best!

    fakk270,

    Thanks for your comments. And yeah, I agree, Adrian complements Dave in a very good way; I'd like if they changed their playing style and tuning as well. πŸ™‚

  • fakk270 says:

    as bruce dickinson said dave does a solo that will blow your head off and adrians solos bludgeon you with a blunt knife LOL but yes they do compliment each other and play very well together they dont need the jerry cantrell wannabe (gers) i do prefer the older music from back in their heyday but it is good to still be talking about em you still hear the old maiden in some of their music like lonliness of a long distance runner but their newest album just dont sound like em when my buddy played the cd for me he told me to guess who it was and the only thing i recognized was bruces voice lmao they kinda lost me when fear of the dark came out it was ok but not them but i guess everything evolves but at least they are still rocking!!!!!

  • Chris says:

    Saw them at Earl's Court on 23rd Dec. This was my tenth Miaden concert after seeing them on the World Piece Tour (twice), World Slavery Tour, Somewhere On Tour (twice) , Seventh Tour of A Seventh Tour,(Donninton 88 plus the NEC concerts filmed for Maiden Britian), No Prayer on Tour (twice)… then having a very long hiatus 'cos I was skint (that's what having kids does). Anyway I took my 15 yr old daughter to this one – she was in the mosh two rows fromthe front and now knows what I have known for 25 years – MAIDEN ARE AWESOME!!! OK, I don't think Janick filled Adrians Boots when Adrian left BUT nobody could. And he did come up with some great riffs for the intervening albums so he deserves a place on stage as much as Adrian. The last two albums have been fantastic – can't wait for the next tour, whethers its a "greatest hits part 2" or in support of their next album. UP THE IRONS!!!

  • Robert Nyman says:

    Chris,

    Great! Thanks for sharing!

  • bobby valeri says:

    i can see why tey played the new album because IT MADE NUMBER ONE! now true maiden fans can regognize that right?

    i did miss hearing classics but theres time for that in 08 and besides they just did the early days tour in 2005.

    maiden doesnt dissapoint they never let me know and i know true maiden fans they didnt let u down.

    irons up

    METAL FOREVER!

  • wayne says:

    i first saw maiden in birmingham in 1982 on the beast on the road tour and every tour after that im now 38 and still get excited to see them,im hoping they will do the somewhere back in time tour in birmingham cause i know they would sell out like they did on the matter of life and death tour,maybe two nights would be goo just like the old days guys.

  • Robert Nyman says:

    wayne,

    I would have loved to have seen the Beast on the road tour!

  • Check http://ironmaiden2008.blogspot.com/ For tour dates and travel to the next tour!

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