Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): Iron Maiden, The Future Past Tour 2023. OVO Hydro, Glasgow. Monday 26th June, 2023.

Iron Maiden - the very first band I saw live on their 'World Piece Tour', back in 1983, at the Glasgow Apollo. As such, they hold a special place in my heart. I saw them again on the next two tours: the Egyptian-themed 'World Slavery Tour', again at the Apollo, and the Cyber-styled 'Somewhere on Tour' at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Then my interest dropped off. Other bands to see, other music to listen to. I returned for their 'Final Frontier' World tour in 2011 but wasn't impressed. I had moved on but they hadn't.

Their latest album, Senjutsu, was a return to form. The tour promised a mash-up of that album and the Somewhere in Time album so my interest was piqued but not enough initially to buy a ticket when they first went on sale. The gig sold out fast so I put the thought behind me.

Then, a week or so before the gig, I noticed Ticketmaster had a ticket for sale on level 2 in the centre. I snapped it up and my excitement started to build. Would they be better than last time? Would the staging be more modern, rather than using old-school curtain backdrops that the roadies pulled across between songs? How big would Eddie, their mascot, be this time?

Before these questions could be answered, I had to sit through the support act, Lord of the Lost (although their logo could also be misinterpreted as 'Load of the Lost'). They were okay, a bit like a little cousin to Rammstein, playing earnest European metal, the lead singer mauling English vowels with his thick German accent. I was impressed that Iron Maiden allowed them such a huge backdrop. Respect!

Then I caught up with someone I hadn't seen since our school days. David Ropper had also been at that first Maiden gig and we reminisced about the old days and the time between then and now. It was good of him to reach out as my shyness usually wins out in these types of social situations.

Then I waited for the mighty Maiden. UFO's classic Doctor, Doctor was a great intro to warm us up, then came the Blade Runner end title music to set the futuristic tone before the band burst onto the stage with the song Caught Somewhere in Time.

This was classic Maiden. I wasn't disappointed. The setlist was a good mix of old and new,. The staging felt grander than last time (albeit still using curtain backdrops but this time with bordering video screens). The music was powerful without being overpowering. Bruce's vocals were good, the new tunes more suited to his range these days, some lengthy guitar breaks giving him the chance to rest his voice. When he called for the audience to wave their arms, they all complied, resembling a field of corn, arms swaying from side to side. I was glad I wasn't among them. The standing area was packed and I'm getting too old for all that jostling. I was happy with my view from level 2 seating, thank you very much.

I'll admit they're still a band caught in time, that time being the '80s, but at least it's from when they were at their peak. They might have aged but they remain timeless. Up the Irons!

Ticket price: £83.15 (£70 plus fees) from Ticketmaster.

Setlist

Intro music - Doctor Doctor (UFO song

Intro Music - Blade Runner (End Titles) (Vangelis song)