Iron Maiden’s U.K. Tour to Continue as Scheduled Despite Manchester Terror Attack
Rockers around the world have reacted to the terribly tragedy that struck in Manchester, England last night (May 22). A terrorist attack took the lives of more than 20 people when a bomb exploded at an Ariana Grande concert which was held at the Manchester Arena. Iron Maiden were among those to comment on the event and have now issued a statement declaring their U.K. tour in support of 2015's The Book of Souls will go ahead as planned.
After a handful of dates between Belgium and Germany, Maiden began the U.K. leg of their trek on May 4 and even played the Manchester Arena earlier this month on May 8. With three U.K. dates left to go before picking back up in North America, Maiden commented on Facebook (post below), "We are shocked by last night’s terrible events at the Manchester Arena. Our thoughts go out to everyone affected. We can advise fans that our last three U.K. shows in Cardiff and at London's O2 will proceed as planned. Of course any extra means to ensure fan safety are being examined with the relevant authorities."
It is of little surprise that Iron Maiden have made the decision to continue as frontman Bruce Dickinson has navigated similar waters wrought with danger during his time away from the band. While touring with his solo outfit in 1994, he entered an active war zone in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, in order to play a concert.
When discussing that event as well as the 2015 terrorist attacks at the Bataclan in Paris, France where the Eagles of Death Metal were playing, Dickinson commented, "Personally, yeah, I’ll play no matter what. Your concern has to be, actually, for people who don’t have a choice in the matter," adding, "But those poor people that went for that [Eagles of Death Metal] concert at the Bataclan had no choice; they were completely, completely innocent in every possible way.”
Maiden's North American with Ghost begins on June 3 and a list of stops can be found at our 2017 Guide to Rock + Metal Tours. As previously reported, the band dropped "Hallowed Be Thy Name" from their set due to a copyright issue.
Iron Maiden Albums Ranked
10 Greatest Iron Maiden Onstage Eddies