Cultures surrounding a specific genre of music aren’t all that common nowadays. While some went corporate and others turned into costumes, heavy metal and its fanbase have remained unsullied by the evil empire because some forces are simply impossible to penetrate.
Among the most seasoned infantries of said domain, Iron Maiden continues to ensure that followers keep their devil horns up while they’re still around and hopefully long after they’re gone. Almost half a decade since their formation in England, the six-piece is only getting more and powerful with each passing year.
To anyone wondering how a heavy-metal outfit that started out in the mid-70s is still gaining momentum, there’s plenty of evidence. In early October, Maiden passed through Los Angeles for a performance at the Kai Forum as part of their ongoing Future Past World Tour. Packed from front to back, the show at the Inglewood venue featured career-spanning hits that catered to day-one fans, their grandkids and everyone in between.
Explosive from the get-go, Bruce Dickinson vocal shredded through knockouts such as “Caught Somewhere In Time,” “The Prisoner” and “Heaven Can Wait,” among countless others classics. To his left and right, the group’s founder and primary songwriter Steve Harris bounced around with a stamina that contradicts his age. In a similar spirit, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Nicko McBrian and Janick Gerseach played their roles to perfection, blurring the line between concert and studio recording. If that wasn’t enough, they tore the roof off the building for a second time with a tight encore that comprised “Hell On Earth,” The Trooper” and “Wasted Years.”
Early in the set, the group’s loyal mascot Eddie made a hushed yet impossible-to-miss appearance on stage too, dressed as a wild-West outlaw brandishing a pistol.
Whereas most groups that have been around as long as the metal veterans are slowing down in 2024, Maiden looks and sounds fresher than they ever have. That’s perhaps why they have already unveiled the extensive itinerary for their Run For Your Lives World Tour that will commence in 2025 and carry into the next year.
There’s only so much that words and photographs can convey about the overall brilliance of Iron Maiden in the flesh. Fortunately, there are several more opportunities for their supporters (plus readers Respect My Region has convinced with this recap) to catch them live in the coming years.
Iron Maiden Live In Los Angeles
Bruce Dickinson w/ Iron Maiden in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Steve Harris w/ Iron Maiden in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Janick Gers w/ Iron Maiden in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Dave Murray w/ Iron Maiden in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Adrian Smith w/ Iron Maiden in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
