The UNCOMFORTABLE truth about Iron Maiden’s 2026 Tour
Iron Maiden finally kicked off the 2026 leg of their Run For Your Lives Tour, and I was able to witness it… and in all honesty, it was possibly the strangest Iron Maiden experience I’ve ever had in my life.
Well, first of all, as most of you who follow me on Instagram or here know, I was able to witness the Iron Maiden gig in Sofia, Bulgaria. So their second show on the Run For Your Lives 2026 Tour. And given that, I actually tried to keep myself as far away from spoilers as I possibly could. And thus I was actually coming to that show with both of my eyes wide open, trying to spot all of the other differences compared to the 2025 edition of Run For Your Lives, which there were actually quite a lot of.
00:00 – Intro
00:51 – Before the concert
02:50 – What was strange for me
05:38 – Infinite Dreams
09:35 – Iron Maiden’s form
10:44 – Jaw-dropping surprise
12:08 – Verdict, visuals and the future
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Background music: “Uberpunch” Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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@MetalPilgrim
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
My thanks to everyone whom I met that night is here – https://youtu.be/zqcuDa2Opeo?si=Biu4cYKppooy6rK1&t=385
@mirceagoga8953
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
I’ve been to 4 Iron Maiden concerts in Romania. The first three, excelent sound, this one exceptionally bad.
@shanecarravello2922
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Not a fan of anthrax. Strike one.
The drummers not right for the band. The sound has changed , it's not the same.
@ketskoaleksa
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
We are going to enjoy the show in Paris🎉
@PapatzaNintza
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
The Athens concert was beyond fantastic. Seen them 5 times already, and that was undeniably the BEST!
@fxn09here
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
2:08 Bucharest mentioned
@ron_43
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
It's impressive how Maiden has become a band that spans different generations. During the 80s and into the early 90s, most of the fans were boys. That has changed.
@TJumz-k4b
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Their set list fckn blows now
@Sumpfkrebs
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
If they now also would play “The Prophecy” and “Only The Good Die Young” live, I could die in peace ☮️
@dario270490
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Saw last year in Italy, i won't go this time. Ticket prices are just crazy and a jem like Infinite Dreams not worth the cost, i am sorry (ticket+travel+hotel). The question is: why the did not put the song back in 2013-14 for the Maiden England anniversary tour??!
@AleksandarAčanski
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
I was in Bratislava. It was pretty cool.
I'm more of what you can call a 'normie' or at least I was in that show, cause they played nothing from Brave New World and on.
However, everyone else in group were hardcore Maiden fans 😀
I do have to complain about one thing and that is the god awful
Slop of the ancient Mariner.
Seriously Maiden, you can't get a proper video commissioned for one of the highlights of your show.
You resort to AI slop?!
Very disappointing.
Cheers
@SlockbowerWheeling
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Lucky for me, I caught an Iron Maiden concert in Bratislava just a few days ago. It was likely my last chance to see their live show, and I was absolutely thrilled!
@nicolinamord7556
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
What is the "conspiracy theory" you speak of? (Sorry, I live in a cave!)
@dereine9310
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Hannover was awesome!🤘
@faizanmckagan2827
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
No maiden without niko. They should have done what led zeppelin did after bonzo was no more.
@gatonegro84
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
what was the rumors?
@BrianSPaskin
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
I am seeing them in Milano in a few weeks. I cannot wait.
@todop
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
i don't wear mech most of the time, i was wearing a ramen t-shirt at the concert , but I'm a iron maiden fan. i have a t-shirt , but didn't wear it. and i have been on a few concerts with a decathlon hiking t-shirt
@RigoBuitrago
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Clickbaity title.
@HankKenKreuz
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Tickets are $700+ . Greedy bastards. Hard pass
@AndrewNinov
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
I was born in 1988, when Seventh Son was released. My Mom (she's 70) saw and heard Infinite Dreams Live in Sofia for the first time, she was in tears…
@yarly3180
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Gelredome 2025 audio was crap (never again Gelredome!), Ziggo Dome should be much better sound wise
@VangelisKontogeorgakos
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Saw the band in Athens, at the very first show of the Tour. It was an incredible gig and felt like the band is in it is absolute peak, better than the World Slavery Tour!
@JAFOpty
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
that kid's headbanging style is beyond repair 😅
@WizardOfOss
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
I'll be going next week in Amsterdam! Can't wait! Only my second Maiden concert, despite being a casual fan of their music for almost 40 years. But after the one from last year, you bet I'll now grab every opportunity to see them as long as they keep going!
As for the setlist, as great as it is, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed that they didn't change just a few more. As much as I liked all of the songs last year, feel sad not getting The Clairvoyant again and am particularly happy they kept Rime of the Ancient Mariner, they just have so many more great ones I might not ever get to experience live. And honestly kinda wish they would leave some space in the setlist for one or two "surprises" each evening. But maybe that's just the Bruce Springsteen fan in me….Iron Maiden clearly does things differently, and considering their much more elaborate stage show that is kinda to be expected.
@derfreietonfilm5535
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
I'm curious to see how the Nova Rock Festival (it will be the biggest stage on tour i think) concert will be, because it won't be an Iron Maiden crowd, but rather a young, alternative rock crowd, etc. That's what I enjoy most. And of course, I'm really looking forward to Knebworth too!
@kevinfranks853
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Live in Seattle, going to knebworth and than Los Angeles.
@yoaniston1261
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Can't wait to see them at the end of the month in paris 🔥🔥🤘🏻
@7SULLY1
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
About 20 seconds into your video you are completely and utterly unavailable for me to listen to with how you speak…
@rsande14
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Great channel! You should go to a concert in Chile! 🇨🇱
Best place to see Maiden in the world.
@xXUrObOrOSXx
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
NPFTD 😢
@blazes8n
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Merch is so expensive.
@terryanvil7707
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Seeing Iron Maiden in Auckland here in New Zealand in November, can't wait, so looking forward to it. Awesome vid bro, thanks heaps, its just hyped me up even more with anticipation of an amazing gig to come.
@lordbutters8596
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
The crowd in Hanover was terrible. It broke my heart. The show was awesome and I tried my best to rock as hard as I could…
@Alexander131191
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
@10:22 Yes! Mr. Murray seemed to be enjoying playing the show much more this time than in Frankfurt last year, a thing that I really appreciated 🙂
@mygaragebandsongs7939
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
I saw the band 8x. This show was the best. Surprisingly. Energy, quality, theatricality. I did like it the most.
@Jaymz1910
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Great work as usual 💪🤘🤘🤘
@yeeyee1690
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Amazing perfomance from the band,saw them in Athens!
Wish to see them for a final concert in a couple years.
@davidboyle1193
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
There is no Perth gig,we are not happy
@scottjarzomski5223
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
❤
@Fredrik_Granberg
June 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
What was the uncomfortable part? 😄