Iron Maiden To Complete Concert Film At EDDFEST Knebworth After Paris Power Cut

Iron Maiden have confirmed that their upcoming EDDFEST appearance at Knebworth will now form part of the band’s forthcoming concert film, following the power cut that disrupted their filmed show in Paris last month.

The band had been filming their Run For Your Lives production at Paris La Défense Arena on 22 June, during a show attended by more than 30,000 fans. Around 50 minutes into the set, near the end of Two Minutes To Midnight, a power outage inside the venue brought the concert to a stop.

The show eventually resumed after around an hour, with the band returning to finish the main set. However, with a strict local curfew extension only allowing the concert to run until 11.35pm, Iron Maiden were unable to perform the planned encores: Aces High, Fear Of The Dark and Wasted Years.

Those missing pieces will now be captured at Knebworth on Saturday 11 July, as part of EDDFEST, Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary event.

Band founder and bassist Steve Harris said: “You all know what happened in Paris, we all know what happened in Paris, so we’re gonna finish it off at Knebworth, and we’ll see you there.”

Bruce Dickinson added: “We’re not going to lose what we did in Paris but we’re going to add to it with some amazing stuff from Knebworth. So Knebworth, be on ya best behaviour!!”

The Knebworth filming means fans at both the Paris show and EDDFEST will feature in the finished cinematic release, which is being made to document the Run For Your Lives production during Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary world tour.

Further details have also been revealed about the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience, the on-site exhibition based around the band’s history. Items due to appear include the pharaoh’s head from the World Slavery Tour, Eddie’s ray-gun from 1986’s Somewhere On Tour, the electric chair from The X Factor era, tank commander Eddie from the A Matter Of Life And Death tour, Baphomet from The Number Of The Beast, the Phantom Of The Opera organ from the Maiden England tour, and personal band memorabilia dating back to the Paul Di’Anno era.

Manager Rod Smallwood said: “We’ve raided Eddie’s Archive, Steve’s garden and our very own offices, warehouses and homes to bring you some actual pieces of our history! More than 50 items from almost 50 years of history will be on display for tens of thousands of you to see. Try to be there early, because sadly there likely won’t be time for every one of you to take everything in, especially as we have so many other exciting things happening on site.

“This weekend is for you, our fans, we are trying to do something special and a bit different in celebration of 50 years– a full on Maiden experience from the moment you arrive on site to the minute you leave. And of course, a very special couple of days for the campers, and I will certainly join them both nights, as I don’t want to miss anything!. So enjoy it, try to get to see and be part of a bit of everything, and I’ll see you in the bar!”

EDDFEST begins on Friday 10 July, with camping included for both nights. The on-site Maidenville area will be open to weekend campers across Friday and Saturday, with Friday performances including Blaze Bayley, Gypsy’s Kiss and more.

Fans will also be able to visit Eddie’s Dive Bar, the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience, the Unfair Funfair, Eddie-themed fairground games and Eddie’s Emporium.

Saturday-only ticket holders will gain access to Maidenville when the main arena opens. The event then moves into the main stage line-up before Iron Maiden close the weekend with their Run For Your Lives show.

Further details, ticket information, FAQs and timings are available via the dedicated EDDFEST site.

Photo credit: John McMurtrie