Iron Maiden – Beijing China Apr.24, 2016 – Gig Review

Iron Maiden – Beijing China Apr.24, 2016 – Gig Review

30th April 2016 0 By Guest Reviewer

For all of you without broader China knowledge fact that Iron Maiden landed Ed Force One in Beijing couple of days ago – didn’t change much. For those (especially ones living there) familiar with the most populous country’s political and social environment even news about possibility of Maiden’s maiden trip to the Middle Kingdom was a jaw dropping one.

One of the world’s most famous heavy metal band’s first concert ever in China was bombastically announced few months ago in the local media, mainly in the magazines and websites for expat community. The first speculations related to this matter have already started in September last year after The Book of Souls was released. But yet without much hope that it will happen in the end.

Many were postponing the ticket purchase due to the fact that the last-minute cancellation for such events (especially concerts, music and film festivals) “thanks” to “(un)expected” circumstances without public explanation – isn’t something unusual here.

Although tickets for the Beijing concert weren’t sold out audience still packed some 80% of available seats at the former Wukesong Olympic Hall/Mastercard Olympic Center now known as LeSports Center in the western part of Beijing. Wukesong has capacity of hosting around 18 000 people but apparently way fewer tickets went out for sale.

According to the latest estimates – around 10 000 people were there on Sunday night. On the other hand everyone was joking that at least 1 000 guards and government spies are there too. But lets face it, this was certainly more than a satisfying figure!
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“I was convinced that we’ll never play in China. But here we are. Scream for me, Beijing! Let me hear you scream!”, said in the beginning and several times during the concert frontman Bruce Dickinson probably in an attempt to make himself believe in this historical fact.

Maidens started with If Eternity Should Fall and the Speed of Light from the new record. Short series of novelties was “disrupted” with the Children of the Damned from the album Number of the Beast after which they were playing two new songs – Tears of the Clown and The Red and the Black.

“The song might say something about things one extraordinary person was dealing with or perhaps going trough. This song is dedicated to Canadian actor Robin Williams, “ said Dickinson announcing the “Tears of the Clown” – that he was pointing out in the media as a favorite one among the new songs reportedly. The song was written by bass player Steve Harris, who did majority of Maiden’s repertoire trough the past decades. Other band mates didn’t know what inspired him for the powerful and emotional lyrics until they entered the studio and started recording The Book of Souls.

With the first seconds of The Trooper Beijing crowd went completely wild and the atmosphere started to move upwards in spite of the fact that Dickinson didn’t waved with the Union Jack. In addition, the flag was still prominently displayed on the backdrop during the performance of the song.

One more change, during Powerslave, Maiden’s frontman needed to change the lyrics to the chorus of the song from “Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave” to “Tell me why I had to be a Wicker Man”, which was bit hilarious, but censorship lingers around in a mysterious ways.

“We are all blood brothers”

In spite of it – performing song Fear of the Dark was on the other hand an opportunity for Dickinson to change one verse and subtly reflect on very important but yet not that much proudly presented event that occurred in Beijing’s downtown center few decades ago. We all know which one. Apparently no one “above” noticed it so our concerns that the Shanghai concert might be in danger later proved to be groundless since Maidens nailed the gig at Mercedes Benz Arena (where reportedly fans could drink beer what wasn’t a case with the alcohol free concert in the Northern Capital) two days after.

Encore with The Number of the Beast set the fire again, but especially emotional moment for the fans was the Blood Brothers performance and Dickinson’s message that “Iron Maiden do not care about skin colour, religion, nationality and gender cause we are all brothers of the same blood. “

Two hour (and a bit more) heavy metal bash was completed with the Wasted Years similar as other concerts related to this tour with famous Eddie appearing twice at the stage.
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What is certainly important to point out is the fact that Iron Maiden still gives enough importance to songs from the new album rather than going trough oldies – what the majority of veteran bands don’t mind to do while touring around the world. And yes, Bruce Dickinson’s scream is still really powerful especially if we have in mind that he was battling cancer not that long ago.

Set List

1. If Eternity Should Fall
2. Speed Of Light
3. Children Of The Damned
4. Tears Of A Clown
5. The Red And The Black
6. The Trooper
7. Powerslave
8. Death Of Glory
9. The Book Of Souls
10. Hallowed Be Thy Name
11. Fear Of The Dark
12. Iron Maiden
13. The Number Of The Beast
14. Blood Brothers
15. Wasted Years

Score 10/10 stamp-e1378235268365

Article and photos (copyright): Franka Gulin (Beijing)

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