Review & setlist: Iron Maiden were a literal scream at TD Garden Wednesday

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Review & setlist: Iron Maiden were a literal scream at TD Garden Wednesday

Concert Reviews

50 years in, the heavy metal heroes were as brilliant and blistering as ever in their Boston stop.

Bruce Dickinson at TD Garden. Michael Last

Iron Maiden, with Megadeth, at TD Garden, Boston, Sept. 9, 2026.

For a band 50 years into their legendary career, Iron Maiden refuses to act its age. And for millions of fans worldwide, that’s a great thing.

One of the pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Maiden showed the youngsters just how it’s done, unleashing a blistering, brilliant 135-minute set in front of a packed house Wednesday night at TD Garden.

Billed as the Run For Your Lives World Tour, the highly ambitious two-year trek is celebrating Maiden’s rich 50-plus-year legacy, while also providing a stunning tutorial in musical precision 101.

“I’m gonna call this Boston therapy night,” said singer Bruce Dickinson.

Playing their 60th show of the tour, and third of their U.S. run, the six-piece outfit was the definition of well-oiled, rattling off several well-versed anthems while also unearthing a few buried treasures in between. Unlike past tours, which at times dwelled almost entirely on a new album’s worth of material, this set focused on Maiden’s first nine studio albums. Their meat-and-potatoes approach played well as they fed their rabid fanbase an array of head-banging hits.

“This is our third night south of the border in the United States of America,” said Dickinson. “We did two shows in a stadium the other day in New Jersey, which I think is somewhere…”

Boston fans didn’t take kindly to the Garden State reference, loudly booing. But Bruce took it all in stride.

“Alright, so maybe it’s not the United States of America, maybe it’s somewhere else,” said Dickinson, with a chuckle. “I don’t know. If you feel that strongly about it, I don’t. I just love everybody. It’s f–king cool. You’re Maiden fans, all of you.”

Led by founder and bassist Steve Harris, 70, the band did a deep dive into their history. A large video backdrop helped tell the story, transporting the audience back in time to the mean streets of London and their early club days. From rumpus set opener “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” transitioning to the punk-inspired pacing of “Wrathchild,” before shifting into the sheer orchestration of “Phantom of the Opera,” Maiden covered its early era with a refreshing flair.

Iron Maiden is led by founder and bassist Steve Harris. – Michael Last

Many singers might scoff at the idea of performing such a lengthy homage to a past frontman, but Dickinson had no qualms diving into Paul Di’Anno’s shoes. In fact, he embraced it.

If anything, it may have also helped warm him up for his own vocal heroics which followed.

In a year that hasn’t been exactly kind to some of rock’s veteran singers, Dickinson, 68, is proving to be the exception. The “Human Air Raid Siren” is indeed in the Robin Zander zone, still able to hit the high notes, while maintaining an aggressive growl throughout. His trademark scream on “The Number of the Beast” remained razor sharp. It cut through the audience as a hail of pyrotechnics flashed across the stage.

It doesn’t hurt to be backed by such an amazing ensemble. The heartbeat of Iron Maiden’s sound, Harris remained headstrong in his approach with his machine-gun gallop and bravado. Sporting a black tank top and shorts, the grizzled bassist mowed them down on signature cuts “Powerslave,” “Run to the Hills,” and “The Trooper.”

Meanwhile, guitarists Adrian Smith and Dave Murray weaved their musical magic, shifting from the melodic to full-out shredding. The two cornerstones remain a formidable force, trading off each other on delicate leads like “Aces High” and “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.”

They uncovered deeper tracks like “Infinite Dreams,” which hasn’t been played live in over 30 years. The pair also shined individually with searing solos. Murray, 69, mastered “2 Minutes to Midnight,” while Smith, 69, was simply incendiary on set closer “Wasted Years,” a personal favorite of this writer.

Possessing a bundle of pure energy, third guitarist Janick Gers, 69, pirouetted across the stage like Mikhail Baryshnikov in his prime. His non-stop rhythm guitar heroics kept things in constant motion. He also added the occasional lead burst, none more prominent than on “Fear of the Dark.” Touring drummer Simon Dawson held his own in place of recently retired drummer Nicko McBrain, keeping the backend crisp.

The stage show itself was truly a sight to behold. The mammoth production perfectly captured the flavor, essence and theme of each album from each era. These ranged from the alleys of London (“Killers”), a padded cell (“Piece of Mind”), a cemetery (“Fear of the Dark”), to the pyramids of Egypt (“Powerslave”). It all culminated during a show-stopping rendition of “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” The band literally (or at least digitally) took the audience aboard the doomed ship during the lengthy 15-minute epic, before it slowly disintegrated into the sea in a haze of fog and lightning-type blasts.

Dickinson did his part adding to all the theatrics. He donned a feathered mask during “Powerslave” and a bomber’s hat during “Aces High,” before going full method, locked behind bars outside the gallows while crooning “Hallowed Be Thy Name.” The singer also waved the British colors during “The Trooper,” with Eddie, the band’s familiar 12-foot mascot, standing by his side.

Because it really isn’t a Maiden show until Eddie shows up.

Megadeth opened the show with a fast and furious 45-minute set. Lead singer and guitarist Dave Mustaine and company hit the stage 30 minutes early, taking the audience by surprise. He held nothing back, fronting a brutal assault from set opener “Tipping Point” before seamlessly segueing into the Herculean “Hangar 18.”

Mustaine maintained his signature snarl on “Sweating Bullets.” He also applied some rust remover on foot-stompers like “Trust,” an unheralded gem off the “Risk” album.

Former White Lion and Pride & Glory bassist James LoMenzo handled David Ellefson’s familiar bass riffs effectively on “Symphony of Destruction” and “Peace Sells,” while drummer Dirk Verbeuren led the backbeat on the headbanger “Take No Prisoners.” Meanwhile, the new Mega-guy, guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, proved he can shred with the best of them. The young gun traded some tasty licks with Mustaine on “Tornado of Souls,” while providing added punch on set closer “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due.”

Despite their advanced age, Iron Maiden shows no signs of slowing down. They remain the only band that can still travel to the four corners of the globe — flying on a plane piloted by their own singer, no less — and be a stadium headline act half a century into their run. And with that kind of commitment fully intact, they can expect their loyal fanbase to have their boarding passes ready for the next 50 years, and beyond.