Some shows you take road trips to go and see, and this was one of them. On November 1st, I made the trek to Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center to see the Iron Maiden and The Hu share the stage. From New York, it should be a two-hour trip-plus with traffic, you can add an extra hour. Silly me, that wasn’t enough. 

The Hu opened the night with their brand of Mongolian throat-singing folk and metal. I welcome a different opener than I’ve ever seen open for Maiden before. While trying to get into the arena, I still missed the first few songs of The Hu sadly. I managed to catch “Tuurugdul” midway and the last six songs including headbangers “Wolf Totem” and “This is Mongol.” I’ve seen them multiple times and it was amazing to see them in an arena. The Hu’s performance wasn’t just about music, it was a cultural experience, and they brought an aura of mysticism and tradition that had the audience hooked. Getting exposed to this crowd is gonna push them even farther in their career.

With an intro of UFO’s classic “Doctor Doctor” (which felt like a nice nod to former singer Blaze Bailey), plus the theme from Blade Runner, this crowd was ready for a night of singing along as the massive stage was revealed. Iron Maiden opened with an actual bang for “Caught Somewhere in Time!” Very fitting for a tour named “The Future Past World Tour!” The fifteen-song set spanning seven albums with elaborate stage designs complemented the theme of the songs. The backdrops transported the audience to ancient Greece, the deserts of Egypt, and futuristic landscapes. It was a thrilling mix of iconic songs and some deeper cuts, balancing fan favorites like “The Trooper” and “Fear of the Dark” with more complex pieces like “Alexander the Great.” Even Eddie made several appearances in different forms, drawing roars from the audience each time it took the stage, especially on  “Heaven Can Wait,” when he had a full-on shoot-out with Bruce.

The musicianship was, as you’d expect, flawless. Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, and Janick Gers delivered scorching guitar solos with precision and passion. However, Janick might be the guy having the most fun with his guitar flips, spins, and tosses. Steve Harris’s bass playing remained a powerful driving force. Nicko McBrain’s thunderous drumming provided the backbone to the band’s complex compositions. Dickinson’s charisma and theatrics kept the audience engaged as he greeted fans on the sides of the stage. With songs like “Iron Maiden” and “Hell on Earth,” they can do pyro with the best of them. 

I forgot the level of energy and pure joy Iron Maiden brings to the stage. It demands you match it. The more often you see them, the younger the crowd becomes. It’s great seeing all the different generations at the show. Maiden truly makes you want to take care of yourself for as long as you can so you can enjoy life and the music for many years to come. I haven’t seen Maiden in a long while, but this concert made sure I’d never miss another show if I can help it.

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WORDS AND PHOTOS BY OMAR CORDY
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