Iron Maiden

I'm no huge fan of metal, but I saw Judas Priest and Anthrax a couple years ago in Poughkeepsie, and I have to admit, those guys can really put on a show. So it was with anticipation of technical wonders that I went to the Iron Maiden show at MSG this past Sunday, and I was not disappointed. I don't know how much you'll be able to make out from this photo, but the set was made to replicate the inside of a pyramid or Egyptian tomb, with sarcophagi and hieroglyphics. The truss moved during the show, from a roof-shape (pictured), to horizontal, to waving during an homage to the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner".





Now, I wasn't so impressed with the set, as it was overly symmetrical and only Bruce Dickinson (the lead singer), was able (or allowed?) to move around to different levels. The drummer was sort of hidden in a little cove center stage (perhaps for sound reasons), and the only time I could see him was when the widescreen monitor cut to him, from a camera placed down near his crotch somewhere.
However, the lighting and pyrotechnics were amazing, and there were some really funny giant skeletal creatures waiting in the wings for their special moments. Perhaps the best part of the show was when the sound cut out entirely, mid-song. No mics, no amps, nothing, for almost ten minutes. The guys onstage were thrown a soccer ball, which they gladly kicked back and forth, and the sound technician covered his head when introduced to the audience later.
All in all, a fantastic night out.