Eddfest, Knebworth, 11/7/2026
There are some bands whose legacy is simply too big to be contained within a stadium gig. Iron Maiden’s fiftieth anniversary was one of those occasions. Rather than simply announcing another date on the Run For Your Lives tour, the band transformed Knebworth into Eddfest: a one-day celebration dedicated entirely to five decades of one of Britain’s greatest heavy metal bands.
Like the day before at Wembley, the weather was relentless. The heat barely eased throughout the afternoon, making it one of the hottest gigs I’ve attended. I was very lucky to have had the Trooper VIP package booked, which turned out to be worth every penny. Having somewhere shaded to sit, access to dedicated bars and a place to escape the sun made a huge difference over the course of such a long day. It was a relief that nothing felt like an unnecessary extra; and in all honestly genuinely improved the overall day for Me and my Dad.
Before Maiden even took to the stage, the festival itself was an experience. Everywhere you looked there were references to the band’s history, from classic Eddie artwork to themed bars and food. Unlike most festivals, there was never the feeling of fans simply waiting around for the headliner. Everyone was already there for the same reason. Eddfest felt less like a traditional festival and more like a celebration of the community Iron Maiden have built over the last fifty years.
One of the biggest highlights of the day was seeing just how much attention had been given to Maiden’s visual history. The Derek Riggs exhibition in the VIP area was a particular standout. Seeing the original artwork up close was genuinely incredible and served as a reminder of just how important Eddie has been to the identity of Iron Maiden. These images have become some of the most recognisable artwork in heavy metal, and seeing them in person felt like a real privilege.
The Infinite Dreams Experience was another brilliant idea. Getting to see props, costumes and pieces from Maiden’s history was undeniably cool, and it was clear how much effort had gone into creating something special for fans. However, it was also one of the areas where the scale of the event became slightly challenging. I couldn’t help thinking it may have worked even better as a dedicated exhibition tent, similar to the Derek Riggs display. It would have helped manage the queues more effectively and, given the temperatures, could have provided fans with a much-needed air-conditioned space to take a break from the heat.
The Unfair Funfair was another great concept. It felt completely in line with Iron Maiden’s world: theatrical, slightly chaotic and unlike anything you’d usually expect at a festival. Unfortunately, the popularity of the area meant queues quickly became difficult, and it felt like it needed significantly more games and rides to accommodate the number of people wanting to experience it.
Despite these logistical oversights, one thing Eddfest consistently got right was remembering who the event was for. The photo opportunities, artwork displays and small details scattered throughout the site were awesome callbacks for the fans who have supported Maiden for decades. It was clear that the event had been created with the fan experience in mind, even if some elements struggled under the sheer number of people attending.
The support bill was packed with familiar faces, and I’d seen every band before. Even so, The Hu and Airbourne stood out as the highlights. The Hu continue to bring something genuinely unique to the festival circuit, blending traditional Mongolian instrumentation with huge modern metal riffs in a way that still feels completely original. Airbourne, meanwhile, delivered exactly what you’d hope for on a scorching summer afternoon: loud guitars, endless energy and straight-up rock and roll. Both sets did exactly what a support slot should do; they built the anticipation for what was still to come.
Like any event welcoming tens of thousands of people, Eddfest wasn’t without its logistical issues. Online, there was plenty of discussion around queues, parking, communication and organisation, and some of those frustrations were completely understandable. However, it is also worth considering the context. It wasn’t an annual festival with years of previous editions to learn from. It was a one-off celebration created specifically for Iron Maiden’s fiftieth anniversary. There were no test runs, no opportunity for a second attempt and no chance to refine what didn’t work. For an event of this ambition and scale, I think the organisers achieved something genuinely impressive.
Then came the main event…
As Doctor Doctor echoed across Knebworth, the atmosphere shifted instantly. You could feel the anticipation ripple through the crowd before a single member of the band had stepped onto the stage.
What followed was exactly what Maiden have spent fifty years perfecting.
Iron Maiden have never just been about playing songs. Their live shows have always been built around storytelling. From the elaborate stage sets and giant Eddie appearances to the carefully timed visuals, every element felt intentional and perfectly timed. The production was spectacular without becoming distracting; the theatrics existed to enhance the music rather than overshadow it – which is a fine line to walk for any artist.
Bruce Dickinson remains one of heavy metal’s greatest frontmen. Watching him sprint across the enormous stage, change costumes throughout the set and still deliver such a commanding vocal performance after decades on the road was genuinely remarkable.
Steve Harris continues to be the driving force behind Iron Maiden, leading the band with the same energy that has defined them since 1975. Alongside him, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers reminded everyone why Maiden’s three-guitar lineup remains one of the band’s defining strengths. Each brings something different to the stage, whether it’s Murray’s effortless precision, Smith’s melodic solos or Gers’ unmistakable stage presence, and together they create the huge, layered sound that has become synonymous with Iron Maiden.
There was, of course, one notable change. Following Nicko McBrain’s retirement from touring, Simon Dawson had the unenviable task of stepping behind one of heavy metal’s most iconic drum kits. Rather than trying to imitate his predecessor, Dawson brought his own confidence to the role and slotted into the band really neatly. It would have been easy for the lineup change to dominate discussion around the show, but by the end of the night it simply felt like Iron Maiden continuing to do what Iron Maiden have always done.
The Setlist:
- Murders in the Rue Morgue
- Wrathchild
- Killers
- Phantom of the Opera
- The Number of the Beast
- Infinite Dreams
- Powerslave
- 2 Minutes to Midnight
- Rime of the Ancient Mariner
- Run to the Hills
- Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
- The Trooper
- Hallowed Be Thy Name
- Iron Maiden
- Aces High
- Fear of the Dark
- Wasted Years
What makes Iron Maiden such an interesting band to witness live is the scale of the world they have created around themselves. The music has always been only one part of the experience; the artwork, characters, stage production and fan culture have become just as important to the band’s identity.
Walking around Knebworth, it was clear that Eddfest wasn’t just celebrating a set of songs. It was celebrating everything that has grown around Iron Maiden over the last fifty years. From the fans wearing shirts older than some of the people in the crowd, to the younger generation with battle jackets still in progress, the connection between the band and their audience was everywhere.
Of course, no event of this size will ever be perfect, and Eddfest had its challenges. But underneath the queues, the heat and the logistical frustrations was something much harder to recreate: a genuine sense of occasion.
Fifty years into their career, Iron Maiden have created something very few bands ever achieve. They have built a world that people don’t just listen to… they step into. Eddfest was proof of that.