Members of the band Iron Maiden, from left, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Steve Harris perform, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. Various flags draped over the barrier indicate the nationalities of the fans who follow the band around the world during their tours. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Bega
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A legacy. Those are the words used by Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson to describe the classic songs – scattered in between songs from their new album – that have catapulted them to the top of their genre for more than four decades.
The British metal band ended the South African leg of their Book of Souls world tour, brought to the country by Big Concerts, with a spectacular display of lighting, pyrotechnics and mind-blowing music at the Carnival City festival lawns on Saturday night.
The sellout crowd was treated to what can only be described as one of the best live shows in music today. Beginning with a video of ancient Mayan ruins, we saw the band’s private Boeing, Ed Force One, crash-landed in vines.
It was offered a giant helping hand in the form of Eddie, the ever recognisable band mascot, who literally push-starts Ed Force One which soars into the sky.
From then on, it was two hours of nonstop magic as the band defied their age and rocked the screaming fans. There was no shortage of special effects as Eddie, in his Mayan guise from The Book of Souls album cover, appeared at two points during the show: as a walking puppet during The Book of Souls and as an inflatable head during Iron Maiden.
In addition, an inflatable goat/devil appeared during The Number of the Beast. One of the highlights of the evening was a powerful performance of one their biggest hits, Fear of the Dark, where Dickinson got the crowd fired up with his trademark yell, “scream for me Joooobuuuurg”.
Front row fans scream for Iron Maiden during the band's performance, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. Various flags draped over the barrier indicate the nationalities of the fans who follow the band around the world during their tours. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
A music fan poses for a photograph ahead of Iron Maiden's show, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
A music fan poses for a photograph ahead of Iron Maiden's show, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
A music fan poses for a photograph ahead of Iron Maiden's show, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Music fans in the front-row await the start of Iron Maiden's show, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Iron Maiden lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Iron Maiden lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Iron Maiden lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Members of the band Iron Maiden, from left, Janick Gers, Steve Harris and Dave Murray perform, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. Various flags draped over the barrier indicate the nationalities of the fans who follow the band around the world during their tours. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Picture for illustration purposes. Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Members of the band Iron Maiden, from left, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Steve Harris perform, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. Various flags draped over the barrier indicate the nationalities of the fans who follow the band around the world during their tours. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris performs, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Jasper Dan performs ahead of Iron Maiden's show, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
The Raven Age perform ahead of Iron Maiden's, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
The Raven Age perform ahead of Iron Maiden's, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
The Raven Age perform ahead of Iron Maiden's, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
The Raven Age perform ahead of Iron Maiden's, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
The Raven Age perform ahead of Iron Maiden's, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
The Raven Age perform ahead of Iron Maiden's, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
A music fan is seen dancing ahead of Iron Maiden's show, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns, during the band's The Book of Souls World Tour. The English legends of heavy metal performed a variety of songs from their newer albums, but also included fan favourites Fear Of The Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name. Local band Jasper Dan opened up for the group, plus English band The Raven Age. Picture: Michel Begamore
Jasper Dan bass guitarist Neil Scanes performs ahead of Iron Maiden's show, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
Jasper Dan lead vocalist Jamie Hendry performs ahead of Iron Maiden's show, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
Jasper Dan lead vocalist Jamie Hendry performs ahead of Iron Maiden's show, 21 May 2016, at Carnival City's Festival Lawns. Picture: Michel Bega
There aren’t many metal bands who can keep a grip on a crowd that size and Saturday night brought fresh evidence that Iron Maiden won’t let go just yet.
