Iron Maiden Launches Epic ‘Run for Your Lives’ 50th Anniversary Tour with Deep Cuts and a New Drummer
For over five decades, Iron Maiden has stood at the forefront of heavy metal, bringing thunderous riffs, iconic imagery, and operatic vocals to stages around the world. Now, in 2025, the band is commemorating their monumental 50th anniversary in true Maiden fashion — with a global tour that digs deep into their legacy while introducing a new chapter in the band’s storied history.
Kicking off on Tuesday, May 27, at the Papp László Sportaréna in Budapest, Hungary, Iron Maiden launched the highly anticipated Run for Your Lives tour with a setlist that sent longtime fans into a frenzy. Not only did they pull out fan favorites and rarely played deep cuts from their early albums, but the concert also marked a major shift in the band’s lineup — welcoming a new drummer to the fold for the first time in over four decades.
A Night for the Die-Hards: The Setlist That Brought Back the Classics
As teased ahead of the tour, the Run for Your Lives setlist focuses squarely on Iron Maiden’s formative years — specifically the first nine studio albums released between 1980 and 1992. For die-hard fans who have followed the band since the early days of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), this tour is a dream come true.
The show opened with a blast from the past: a recorded intro of “The Ides of March” — the instrumental opener from Killers — followed by a fierce, triple-punch live performance of “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “Wrathchild,” and “Killers.” The energy was immediate and electric, and the band wasted no time diving into the type of setlist that only a band with such a rich legacy could deliver.
What made the night especially thrilling were the resurrections of songs that hadn’t graced the stage in years — or even decades. These included:
- “Killers” – performed live for the first time since 1999.
- “Phantom of the Opera” – a fan-favorite off their debut album, played live for the first time since 2014.
- “The Clairvoyant” – last heard in concert in 2013.
- “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” – the 13-minute epic from Powerslave returned after being shelved since 2009.
- “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” – another progressive Maiden masterpiece, performed for the first time in over a decade.
With each song, Iron Maiden reminded fans that their catalog is vast, dynamic, and full of surprises. And while it’s easy for bands to rely on their greatest hits during anniversary tours, Maiden made a bold statement: they’re not just celebrating longevity — they’re celebrating the depth of their artistry.
Finishing Strong: An Encore Packed With Anthems
Of course, no Iron Maiden concert would be complete without the songs that helped define metal for generations. After taking the crowd on a rollercoaster of rare tracks and deep cuts, the band brought it home with a trio of anthems that had the entire arena singing along:
- “Aces High” – A high-flying ode to WWII fighter pilots.
- “Fear of the Dark” – Perhaps one of the most iconic and dramatic songs in the band’s arsenal.
- “Wasted Years” – A fitting closer that reflects on time, memory, and resilience — themes that resonate especially deeply on this milestone tour.
Each of these encore tracks served as both a nostalgic reminder and a powerful call to arms. Maiden might be five decades in, but their fire is anything but fading.
A New Era Begins: Simon Dawson Joins as Maiden’s Drummer
While the music was the star of the night, the Budapest concert also marked a poignant and historic moment in Iron Maiden’s history: the debut of Simon Dawson, stepping in on drums after the retirement of longtime member Nicko McBrain.
McBrain’s absence is deeply felt by fans and bandmates alike. He joined the group in 1982 and played on every album since Piece of Mind, becoming a central figure in Iron Maiden’s sound and live presence. His decision to step away from touring came after he revealed that he had suffered a stroke in January 2023, from which he never fully recovered physically.
In a heartfelt announcement last December, McBrain shared his gratitude for the fans and the band, emphasizing that his decision came from a place of respect for the music and a desire to ensure Maiden continues delivering their legendary live shows at full strength.
Enter Simon Dawson, a seasoned drummer with a wide-ranging background. While he may not be a household name to every Maiden fan just yet, Dawson has played with The Outfield, the cult-favorite NWOBHM band Deep Switch, and — most notably — with Steve Harris’s side project, British Lion, since 2013. That long-standing connection with Harris likely made the transition smoother, both musically and personally.
By all accounts, Dawson delivered a rock-solid performance in Budapest. His style honors McBrain’s complex rhythms while adding his own edge — proving he’s not just filling a seat, but helping write the next chapter of Maiden history.
The Road Ahead: European Leg and Future Tour Plans
Budapest was just the beginning. Iron Maiden’s Run for Your Lives tour will roll through Europe throughout the summer, hitting iconic venues in countries like Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and more. The European leg is scheduled to wrap up on August 2 in Warsaw, Poland.
But the band isn’t stopping there. According to official statements and interviews, the tour is expected to extend well into 2026, with additional international dates to be announced. That means fans in North and South America, Asia, and Australia may soon get their own chance to see this historic run in person.
And if the Budapest kickoff is any indication, the rest of the tour will continue to blend deep cuts, emotional moments, and a celebration of Maiden’s unmatched influence on the metal world.
Iron Maiden at 50: Why They Still Matter
Fifty years is an eternity in the world of rock and metal. Many bands fade, break up, or dilute their sound over the decades. But not Iron Maiden. The band remains as vital, uncompromising, and artistically ambitious as ever — and that’s what sets them apart.
Their influence spans generations of musicians, from thrash and power metal to modern prog and metalcore. Their lyrics — often steeped in history, literature, mythology, and science fiction — have elevated heavy metal into the realm of high art. Their album covers, stage sets, and mascot Eddie have become iconic in their own right, influencing everything from tattoos to video games.
But more than anything, Maiden’s staying power lies in their connection with fans. Every tour, every album, and every performance feels like a thank-you to the community that has supported them for half a century. The Run for Your Lives tour is no exception — it’s not just a celebration of Iron Maiden’s past. It’s a reaffirmation of their present, and a bold step into the future.
Final Thoughts: Maiden Marches On
The first night of Iron Maiden’s Run for Your Lives tour proved that age hasn’t dulled their edge — it’s sharpened it. With a setlist that honored their legacy, a performance that energized a new generation, and a new member stepping in with power and grace, Iron Maiden showed the world that their journey is far from over.
Whether you’ve been following the band since 1980 or just discovered The Number of the Beast last week, this tour offers something special. It’s not just another concert — it’s a celebration of everything that makes heavy metal powerful, theatrical, and timeless.
So if the tour is heading your way, get your tickets. Grab your Maiden shirt, warm up your vocal cords, and prepare to scream your lungs out. Because 50 years in, Iron Maiden is still running for your lives — and taking the whole metal world with them.