Iron Maiden celebrate 50 years with massive Sofia concert

More than 30,000 fans packed Sofia’s National Stadium on May 26 as British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden brought their Run For Your Lives anniversary tour to Bulgaria. Following the concert, the band thanked fans with a Facebook post featuring images from the packed Vasil Levski National Stadium and the message: “Thank you Sofia!” Fans described the performance as one of the strongest shows of the band’s career.

The tour marks 50 years since the formation of Iron Maiden, with the group performing some of its best-known songs, including The Number of the Beast, Fear of the Dark, The Trooper and Hallowed Be Thy Name.

One of the evening’s most emotional moments came when frontman Bruce Dickinson appeared on stage holding the Bulgarian flag. Throughout the concert, he repeatedly addressed the crowd with calls of “Sofia” and “Bulgaria”, drawing loud responses from the audience, BTA reported.

Ahead of the show, the musicians met Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova, who described them as “remarkably down-to-earth people” and wished them many more years on stage.

Special guests for the concert were American thrash metal veterans Anthrax, who performed a 45-minute opening set.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova