A double-shot of Iron Maiden in Sydney? There are those who said it would never happen, and there were those that waited and waited, and then turned up both nights for the greatest metal show on Earth.
This Somewhere Back In Time tour is celebrating the Powerslave era, a real treat for fans worldwide.
Our friends Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers and Nicko McBrain put on a stunning show, worthy of Iron Maiden’s reputation as one of the finest live acts in modern music.
Where to start? It was all just so jaw-droppingly good. They came out firing with the almighy one-two of Aces High and the scorching 2 Minutes To Midnight. Holy shit! Next was the melodic riffage of Revelations, by now the crowd was going rightly fucking beserk. And then, bam! Iron Maiden bring out The Trooper! God damn, we were all delirious by now. What the hell were they going to play next? None other than Wasted Years, The Number Of The Beast, and Can I Play With Madness!
At this point it was pretty clear that no one in the arena was sitting down, the entire crowd was jumping and dancing like it was some tribal corroboree. Bruce Dickinson then introduced fan favourite Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, and basically, it farkin’ rocked! Then it was time for the one and only Powerslave. Bloody brilliant. The sing-a-long favourite Heaven Can Wait was next, following be the galloping brilliance of Run To The Hills. But there was to be none of that, as Iron Maiden let loose with Fear Of The Dark. Then it was way back to the start with Iron Maiden, the title track off the first album, a fine way to finish the main set. After a quick break, we were treated to something truly special, the awesome trifecta of Moonchild, The Clairvoyant, and Hallowed Be Thy Name.
What a show, what a double header – what a perfect Saturday and Sunday night! The setlist was identical both nights, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. After both nights, the most commonly heard word outside the arena was “Ohmyfuckengodthatwasamazing!” Yes, it was.
