Reviews · 12 November 2026

Live Review: Iron Maiden @ AEC Arena 11/11/27

Iron Maiden and Megadeth cemented their legacies as two of heavy music's biggest and best live acts.

Iron Maiden - photo by Justin White

Metalheads were out in force for Iron Maiden's much-anticipated visit to Adelaide. Two years on from their last visit, the heavy metal icons returned as part of their acclaimed 50th Anniversary Run For Your Lives World Tour. Combining a career-best setlist with explosive on-stage theatrics, this was a performance that would impress even the most casual metal fan.

The queue outside the Adelaide Entertainment Centre snaked around the corner while a sea of black tees, beards and bourbon cans filled the foyer. Heavy music fans of all ages had gathered together, excited for a night of loud music from not one, but two pioneers of the genre. While the majority of people were here for the headliners, with Iron Maiden tees the number one clothing accessory, the prospect of Megadeth running through the hits resulted in a much larger-than-usual crowd turning out for the support act.

Although calling Megadeth a support act doesn't really do them justice. One of the Big Four, the thrash metal titans have a long and storied history in heavy music circles and are responsible for several defining albums of the genre.

With the band's iconic logo displayed on the big screen, frontman and guitarist Dave Mustaine and co ambled on stage and got proceedings underway with 'Wake Up Dead', the opener from their seminal album Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?. Adelaide was in a mood, with those near the front of the stage getting into the spirit of things from the get-go – jumping up and down, headbanging and fist-pumping the air as Megadeth blazed a path of intricate riffs and devastating percussion.

Megadeth performing live at AEC Arena in Adelaide — Megadeth – Justin White

Fans were treated to a solid set of greatest hits, with 'Tornado of Souls', 'Peace Sells' and 'Symphony of Destruction' clear crowd favourites. As their time on stage was short, Mustaine kept interactions sparse, more concerned with blasting through the songs as efficiently as possible.

Speaking of Mustaine, there's been a lot of conjecture about his voice following Megadeth's two performances in New Zealand. Throwing my hat in the ring, I have to say he sounded pretty decent. Were there times his talk-sing vocals sounded a little thin and laboured? Sure, but you gotta remember the guy is in his mid-60s and also survived throat cancer, which could have ruined his vocal cords. His guitar playing was also on point, and it was a delight to see his fingers moving in a blur as he worked his way through Megadeth's biggest riffs.

Reminiscent of the Crows' power stance, Mustaine, bassist James LoMenzo and guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari stood in a line at the front of the stage as drummer Dirk Verbeuren pounded away in the background during the frenzied final song, 'Holy Wars... The Punishment Due'.

Thanking everyone for turning out and following the band from the start, Megadeth confirmed their thrash metal icon status with a triumphant performance that hopefully isn't the last time we see them in Australia.

Iron Maiden performing live at AEC Arena in Adelaide — Iron Maiden – photos by Justin White

As UFO's 'Doctor Doctor' rang out across the arena, promoting a mass sing-along, a video played on the big screen showing animated streets of London, leading to a wall with graffiti of Maiden's mascot Eddie. As the instrumental 'The Ides of March' played, Iron Maiden suddenly appeared, launching into 'Murders in the Rue Morgue' as fireworks exploded and the crowd lost their shit, which was pretty much how things went all night.

Diving into Maiden's deep catalogue, the band gave fans a great taste of their history, performing songs from eight of their first nine albums. The highlights were plentiful – Bruce Dickinson running around like a madman during 'Wrathchild', the first appearance of a towering Eddie during a powerful 'Killers' that saw the giant mascot attack the band with a hatchet, and the epic 'Powerslave', which included Dickinson wearing an Egyptian mask, pyro, OG member Steve Harris' sizzling basslines and plenty of audience participation.

"Welcome to an evening of good fun wholesome family entertainment," Dickinson remarked before 'Phanotom of the Opera', "with no fucking swearing!" He asked the audience to try and make a little earthquake and make the ground shake with their support while also giving Adelaide a drive-by, saying it would be an improvement on the band's last performance here. Thankfully, the near-sold-out arena obliged, with several circle pits appearing deep in the mosh as fans screamed and shouted.

Maiden fans couldn't complain about the setlist. There really was something for every generation of fan. While it's the long, teachnical numbers most people love when attending a Maiden concert, such as the 13-and-a-half-minute 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner', which seemed to go on forever as guitarists Janick Gers (who was in full performative mode, swinging his guitar in the air and playing between his legs), Adrian Smith and Dave Murray battled it out to see who could perform the most enthralling solo (the ship graphic on the big screen was ace), it's hard to go past the band's short and sharp tracks that hit you hard and leave you wanting more.

'The Number of the Beast' and '2 Minutes 2 Midnight' got everyone up and about, singing every line as Dickinson patrolled the raised platform at the back of the stage like an army general ready to unload on his platoon.

Maiden also had room for a welcome surprise – the addition of 'Infinite Dreams', a song they haven't performed in 38 years. This was warmly received and featured Dickinson's trademark scream, which seems to get better with age. Dude has a voice that just doesn't quit.

Dickinson waved the Aussie flag during 'Trooper', which also saw the second and final appearance of Eddie, who this time wandered the stage with a sword. Touring drummer Simon Dawson was all business as Dickinson sang while trapped in a cage during a fierce version of 'Hallowed By Thy Name'.

Finally back on level ground with his bandmates, Dickinson removed his hair tie and let the long locks flow free as he urged the crowd to "fucking scream Australia" during a spirited 'Iron Maiden' that brought things to a euphoric end.

Of course, it wasn't really over. After about 30 seconds of darkness, scenes from World War II appeared on the big screens as Winston Churchill's famous wartime speech rang out, setting up 'Aces High'. Dickinson sported a leather flight cap and dedicated the song to "Australia, New Zealand and the Royal Air Force who fought the Nazis and fucked them up!".

'Fear of the Dark', a song one punter continually shouted for throughout the performance, was up next, with the audience singing most of the lyrics, followed by 'Wasted Years', the band's go-to closer in recent years, which makes sense considering it's a song about time and reflection.

As the house lights came on, Dickinson and co took their bows, thanked the Adelaide crowd and made their way backstage to rapturous applause.

50 years into a career that most bands can only dream about, Iron Maiden delivered a two and a half hour heavy metal masterclass that left my ears ringing but my endorphins flowing.

When it comes to the world of heavy metal, few do it better than Iron Maiden.