Back Beat Seattle | Iron Maiden brings the future to life in an epic Tacoma Dome show

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson extends his mic to the crowd, inviting them to sing along. — *Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson extends his mic to the crowd, inviting them to sing along.*

Seeing Iron Maiden live for the first time, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But what I experienced was a passionate crowd of dedicated fans who live and breathe the band’s music. When the time came I was escorted to the front of the stage by a friendly and professional stage manager who gave us a quick rundown of the evening’s events. I was allowed to photograph two songs, which was epic, but what followed was nothing short of incredible.

Iron Maiden, who have been touring the world for decades, were this year in the midst of their Future Past World Tour, having already visited Australia, New Zealand, and Japan before embarking on their massive US and Canada leg which brought them to this evenings performance at the Tacoma Dome. The stage setup was a stunning futuristic, sci-fi dystopian theme, complete with a massive backdrop that morphed and shifted throughout the show, adding to the spectacle.

As UFO’s 1979 classic “Doctor, Doctor” blared through the PA, the crowd roared in anticipation. The energy in the air was palpable—everyone knew the mighty Iron Maiden was about to hit the stage. And then, they did. The band kicked things off with “Caught Somewhere in Time,” with Bruce Dickinson leading the charge. His voice, as powerful as ever, rang out across the arena, while guitarist Dave Murray shredded away, his leg extended on a side monitor, working every inch of the stage. The band was firing on all cylinders, posing, playing epic duos, and giving the fans exactly what they wanted. It was clear this was a band that thrives on the live experience.

Iron Maiden’s setlist spanned decades of hits, with each song fueling the crowd’s excitement. There were a few classic Eddie appearances, including a wild moment when Eddie tried to take guitarist Janick Gers hostage with a giant gun before making a dramatic escape. Eddie also reappeared later in a samurai outfit, engaging in a one-on-one guitar duel with Dave Murray and even having a shootout with Bruce Dickinson (who, to be fair, had the advantage thanks to a giant cannon mounted on the stage).

Despite having been on the road for over 30 years, the band showed no signs of slowing down. Bruce Dickinson, at 66 years old, was a blur of energy, rocking a Doc Brown meets Blade Runner ensemble, seamlessly moving across the stage and risers without a hint of exhaustion. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, and the fans fed off their energy every step of the way.

The crowd was electric, flashing rock hands and headbanging in unison as the band ripped through classics like Can I Play with Madness and Fear of the Dark. As the main set drew to a close, Iron Maiden capped it off with their iconic anthem Iron Maiden from their 1980 self-titled debut. After a brief pause, the band returned for a powerful encore, delivering three more unforgettable tracks before bidding the crowd farewell for the night.