Iron Maiden - OVO Hydro 30th June 2025

A Theatrical Masterclass of Metal Mayhem

On a night that will be talked about for years to come, Iron Maiden brought their world tour to Glasgow - a show so charged with energy and spectacle that it was hard to believe it was a Monday. With Paris as the opening backdrop, and a nod to the seedy underworld of London later on, this was more than a gig - it was a full-blown heavy metal opera.



Kicking things off with UFOs "Doctor Doctor", the tone was set before Maiden even took the stage. Then came the relentless onslaught - there was no let-up from the off. Bruce Dickinson didn't just arrive; he exploded onto the stage, screaming, yelling, and commanding the night like a metal maestro. He's still hurling his mic stand into the air like it's 1985, and the band behind him is as explosive and agile as ever - a miracle of rock stamina.

Despite being 50 years into their journey, Iron Maiden show no signs of slowing down - in fact, they look like they're just getting started. "We plan to go for 50 years more," Dickinson teased, and judging by this performance, there's no reason to doubt him.

The stage design was staggering. From ancient Egypt to pirate ships, to moonlit gothic landscapes, each scene shift was a jaw-dropper. One moment you're in Cairo, engulfed in flames and masks, the next, you're thrown into a gallows pole cage or caught up in a circle pit during "Run to the Hills." It's pure theatre, drenched in pyro and fire, guitar solos that fused seamlessly, and production levels that border on cinematic.



Dickinson wasn't just a frontman - he was a conductor, ringleader, and puppet master, orchestrating chaos with just a shout. "Get jumping!" he yelled - and the entire crowd, already in the palm of his hand, obeyed without question.

A special shoutout to the band's boundless energy: whether it was guitarists throwing their instruments around their bodies, or pulling off classic rock god poses with a leg perched high on a speaker stack, they proved age is just a number (helped by, perhaps, a little yoga).

The Scottish flag made its rightful appearance, earning a deafening cheer from the home crowd. And as ever, Simon's minimal drum kit offered a rare treat - a clear view of the man behind the beat (finally!).




The Setlist? Legendary:

Doctor Doctor (UFO cover)

The Ides of March

Murders in the Rue Morgue

Wrathchild

Killers

Phantom of the Opera

The Number of the Beast

The Clairvoyant

Powerslave

2 Minutes to Midnight

Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Run to the Hills

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

The Trooper

Hallowed Be Thy Name

Iron Maiden

Encore:

Churchills Speech

Aces High

Fear of the Dark

Wasted Years

By the time "Fear of the Dark" played under a haunting moon visual, and "Wasted Years" brought the curtain down, the crowd was spent but euphoric. This wasn't just a concert. It was a masterclass in how to own the stage, ignite a crowd, and cement a legacy.



Long live Iron Maiden.

Review by Craig McGee, photography by Stewart Fullerton.

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