Words and Photos by John Oakley @ Roarrock
Iron Maiden brought the noise—and the tears—to London Stadium last Saturday, turning the home of West Ham into a metal pilgrimage site. With around 70,000-75,000 fans packed in, it was more than a concert; it was a monumental homecoming party for bassist Steve Harris and the rest of Maiden’s East End roots.
The Raven Age warmed things up, followed by Halestorm, getting the crowd primed and ready. When the lights dropped and Doctor Doctor from UFO blared through the PA, the stadium erupted. Moments later, The Ides of March intro faded and Murders in the Rue Morgue hit—a vintage opener that set the tone perfectly.
The band tore through a 17-song set drawn from their first nine albums—technically stunning, nostalgic, and still adrenaline-fuelled. Simon Dawson, stepping in after Nicko McBrain’s retirement, nailed the complex beats and double-kick on Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Powerslave. His debut couldn’t have gone smoother.
Guitarists Dave Murray and Adrian Smith delivered everything you’d expect: Murray’s fluid blues grooves blending with Smith’s soaring melodic leads. Backed by Janick Gers’s showmanship, their harmony solos on tracks like The Clairvoyant and 2 Minutes to Midnight were absolute highlights of the evening. Bruce Dickinson, meanwhile, bounced around like he’s got a gallon of Red Bull in his veins.
And then there was Eddie—the mascot himself—strutting onto stage in a West Ham shirt, spotlight roaring as the stadium roared back. A cheeky nod to the club spirit and a personal handshake to Steve’s heritage.
Setlist – Run For Your Lives (London Stadium, 28 Jun 2025)
1. Doctor Doctor (UFO tape intro)
2. The Ides of March (tape)
3. Murders in the Rue Morgue
4. Wrathchild
5. Killers
6. Phantom of the Opera
7. The Number of the Beast
8. The Clairvoyant
9. Powerslave
10. 2 Minutes to Midnight
11. Rime of the Ancient Mariner
12. Run to the Hills
13. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
14. The Trooper
15. Hallowed Be Thy Name
16. Iron Maiden
Encore:
Wasted Years
Aces High (after Churchill’s Speech intro)
Fear of the Dark
Late into the encore, something special happened: Steve Harris himself walked out wearing a West Ham shirt, visibly emotional, soaking in the crowd’s ovation. The stadium joined in, as if melting together in a massive East End embrace. It wasn’t just a band playing—it was a proud son returning home.
The sonics were immaculate—every guitar riff, every bass run, every operatic Bruce shriek mixed perfectly through the concrete bowl. Stage visuals were grand: giant Eddies, Oxford Street-esque East End projections, and smoke cannons blasting through The Trooper. It all made for a spectacular, immersive show.
This was more than just a concert—it was a 50‑year legacy showcased in the stadium’s heart. With Simon Dawson keeping the rhythm tight, Dave and Adrian unleashing blistering guitar chemistry, Eddie waving West Ham colours, and Steve shedding a tear of joy, Iron Maiden proved that legends never fade—they just keep charging.
