Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden's vocalist, visited our country, the 21st of July, for a single gig, in Lycabetus Theater in Athens. Greece was the only Bruce’s headline gig, during this European tour. The doors opened at seven o’clock and the band, took its position on the stage at half past nine. The band consisted from Alex Dickson (Guitar), Pete Friesen (Guitar), Chris Dale (Bass), Robin Guy (Drums) and of course Bruce Dickinson on the vocals.
Just one single minute after the band went on stage, there was a
voice from nowhere saying: “Where’s this voice coming from? It's behind
you!” and then Bruce Dickinson joined the stage, in order to begin the
gig with Silver Wings, one of his two latest creations, included into
his “Best Of”.
The crowd was pretty enthusiastic the whole time! Next song was Back
from the Edge, a song off the less-famous Bruce Dickinson album,
Skunkworks. The following track was, Broken, his other new song! Then
came the time, where Bruce Dickinson, starts talking about the fans, how
happy he is playing in Greece, and introducing to us, one of my
favorite songs: Revelations! Great performance! Accident Of Birth &
Dark Side Of Aquarius were next… Then Bruce threw a towel on his face,
so he was supposed not to see, and the Drums, from the background
started playing The Tower. Then the all times classic, Tears Of The
Dragon was introduced by Bruce, adding, that this was the song, that he
wrote, when he left Iron Maiden and it talks about how he felt back
then, how disappointed and desperate he was! He kept thanking the Greek
fans for supporting him on his solo and band days.
That was the moment, of the only tiny mistake, Bruce made! When he
started singing (Tears Of The Dragon), he realized, for his bad luck,
that his microphone was shut! Funny moment though! The songs to follow
were Laughing In The Hiding Bush, from Balls To Picasso and Innerspace
from Skunkworks, great performance on both, from the whole band. The
fans actually, were not satisfied at the moments, where Bruce and his
band, performed songs, off Skunkworks! Here in Greece, this one is
definitely at the bottom of the fans’ shelves. Bring Your Daughter To
The Slaughter was meant to be the final song as Bruce was thanking us,
and whished as a goodnight, then he left the stage! But, as always,
there is an encore! Tattooed Millionaire from the self-titled album was
the encore-opening song. Then Bruce started to climb the stage columns
and singing from over there (Is he a stunt or something?). Then the band
performed The Prisoner, with Bruce singing the intro him self, (no
playback), then it was Powerslave!
All time classic songs, that blows the crowd off is always a great
recipe, to make then go home with a huge smile on their lips! It’s
always great to hear these Iron Maiden songs live!
There was one more encore, as Bruce, left the stage. He started talking
about a song, which was inspired of the Ancient Greece; Flight Of Icarus
was finally that song, and not Alexander The Great, which was the one
the crowd expected. Final song as always during this European Tour was
Delilah, a Tom Jones cover! The gig last, about an hour and a half, with
Bruce Dickinson as always, proving that he didn’t got aged at all!
Running and crossing the stage, the whole time. Singing, at high
standards, urging the fans to go mad and sing! The other members of the
band, were not on their favorite day, making mistakes, during the solos,
but actually I got impressed, by Chris’ stage performance, and Robin’s
drums skills!
Tracklist:
Silver Wings
Back From The Edge
Broken
Revelations
Accident Of Birth
Darkside Of Aquarius
The Tower
Tears Of The Dragon
Laughing In The Hiding Bush
Innerspace
Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter
Encore
Tattooed Millionaire
The Prisoner
Powerslave
Encore
Flight Of Icarus
Delilah
Personally I had one of the best gigs ever. Bruce Dickinson is a pretty
weird and strange character, unfortunately for the fans. We went to the
hotel right after the gig, where we were expecting Bruce and his band,
to be there. Then all of the sudden, Bruce came out of a car, and run
into the hotel doors, where he was expected to arrive. Then the rest of
the band, and especially Chris and Robin, stayed with the fans, signed
autographs, got pictures and chatted with us for more than an hour.
Great guys!
I also want to mention, that Motorhead, were about to play the very next
day, at the same place! Lemmy and Dee, stayed with us, got pictures
etc.
Bruce, after two hours or something, exited the hotel, jumped as fast as
he could into a cab and leave. Me and my friend Dimitris, followed the
cab, with his car, right to the airport. It’s worth to mention, that the
airport, is more than thirty kilometers, from the hotel.
When Bruce arrived there, wearing his pilot suit, we asked him to sign
us some autographs! The only thing, he replied, was: “You should have
stayed at the hotel!” Then, he just left. His behavior got me kind of
angry and made me wonder, why “Lemmy” stayed, with the fans, while Bruce
not... I can’t express my feelings those moments.
Anyway, I really (personally) want to thank all those boys and girls
that supported me again these, anxious days. First of all Marko, from
Didi Music, for his support, and facilities, Niko, from Olethrio Rigma,
Sound & Vision, Eleni Zeniou, Dimitri (aka Rockavlon), Dimitri, for
his patience, and understanding, and all the members of our Fan Club for
being there! Thanks for that great night.
Manolis "In Heaven" Varouhas
