Dienstag, 13. Jul 2010, 21:14

Mon 12 Jul – Iron Maiden, Dream Theater

This concert was my second Iron Maiden concert and my first time at the MSG. As a person who got to be part of the previous tour that featured classics only, the current set list was a dream that came true. And anyone who didn't like the set list should have done their homework about the current tour, since it was known that it would be focused on the “newer” albums.

That aside… the opening act, Dream Theater, was alright. I only knew “As I Am” (opening song) and “Pull Me Under” (song that closed their show), so I didn't really enjoy the other three songs that got played in between. Even so, I think they are a fitting opening act for Iron Maiden, instead of Lauren Harris.

The crowd was really hot for Iron Maiden (obviously), and while the songs didn't get a “Rock in Rio” kind of reaction it was still a pretty nice one. It was great to listen to songs from their “Brave New World” album (which was the main focus of the “Rock in Rio” live album/DVD), and also songs from “Dance of Death” and “A Matter of Life and Death”. I was totally looking forward to hear “These Colours don't Run” and “Ghost of the Navigator”, and Maiden totally delivered. Surprisingly there were a lot of newcomers in the crowd who are probably going to come again for more on the next tour after such a great performance. Songs of the night were “Fear of the Dark” and “Hallowed be thy Name” definitely, both of those songs were probably sung along in their entirety.

Not everything was perfect though. There were some small technical difficulties during the performance. Sound problems that made a guitar sound a little bit fast paced or slow paced during a solo, the public caught on it and booed the sound guys but thankfully Bruce came back to sing and the public forgot about it fast. Still, I don't think there should be this kind of problem in a venue like MSG, but well… not even a screw up like that can make me not enjoy Maiden. Also, item prices inside the MSG were outrageous. A bottle of water had a five dollar price, five dollars!!!! I seriously recommend eating before getting inside the building.

Overall the concert was a fun experience. The crowd in New York is way better than New Jersey, so whenever I have to go to a concert I'll be going to the Garden. And also there are still three songs I want to hear live: "Sign of the Cross", "Dream of Mirrors", and "Rainmaker", hope I get to hear them some day :P.