Steve Harris’ British Lion roared into Belfast on Tuesday night (6th December), for the final date of their European tour. With a set bursting with passion, spirit, and high energy classic rock, the Iron Maiden bassist proved that there is plenty of life in his musical output away from his day job.
Photo: Eamon O'Neill.
By Eamon O'Neill On 7th December 2016.
Steve Harris’ British Lion roared into Belfast on Tuesday night (6th December), for the final date of their European tour. With a set bursting with passion, spirit, and high energy classic rock, the Iron Maiden bassist proved that there is plenty of life in his musical output away from his day job.
Stepping out onto the stage at the city’s Limelight venue, the Belfast date marked the end of British Lion’s extensive European run, which kicked off Faro, Portugal on 3rd November. Kicking off with a high-octane ‘This Is My God’, the five-piece followed with a blazing 'Lost Worlds', igniting the Belfast crowd from the off with a performance that immediately revealed a quality in the material far superior to that of the studio-recorded versions.
With Harris dominating the stage with his trademark head banging and foot on the monitor stance, and his Fender Precision bass aimed machine-gun style at the first few rows, the Iron Maiden founder received a heroes’ welcome from the fanatical crowd.
Greeting the audience, singer Richard Taylor said; “It’s such a pleasure to be here. It’s our first time in Belfast. You guys have a beautiful city”. The frontman's comments echoed that of Harris, who in an earlier chat with eonmusic revealed that he’d enjoyed a visit to both the city’s Titanic Belfast exhibition – recently voted the world’s leading tourist attraction - and Christmas Market.
Going on to play the majority of tracks from their 2012 self-titled debut album, as well as a number of new songs including an uproariously received ‘Spitfire’, the band lapped up the Belfast spirit, with Taylor commenting; “This is a great way to finish the tour”.
Leading the crowd in a raucous singalong during ‘Guineas And Crowns’, Taylor, flanked by guitarist Grahame Leslie went on to dedicate the driving ‘A World Without Heaven’ to the Belfast audience.
Closing their set with a celebratory ‘Eyes Of The Young’, British Lion left the stage to a well-deserved applause, but not before promising to return in the not too distant future.
With the tour at an end, British Lion look set to release a live album culled from performances during the current, and prior runs. The disc is slated for release in 2017.
Look out for eonmusic’s exclusive interview with Steve Harris, to be published early next week.
Steve Harris’ British Lion roared into Belfast on Tuesday night (6th December), for the final date of their European tour. With a set bursting with passion, spirit, and high energy classic rock, the Iron Maiden bassist proved that there is plenty of life in his musical output away from his day job.
Stepping out onto the stage at the city’s Limelight venue, the Belfast date marked the end of British Lion’s extensive European run, which kicked off Faro, Portugal on 3rd November. Kicking off with a high-octane ‘This Is My God’, the five-piece followed with a blazing 'Lost Worlds', igniting the Belfast crowd from the off with a performance that immediately revealed a quality in the material far superior to that of the studio-recorded versions.
With Harris dominating the stage with his trademark head banging and foot on the monitor stance, and his Fender Precision bass aimed machine-gun style at the first few rows, the Iron Maiden founder received a heroes’ welcome from the fanatical crowd.
Greeting the audience, singer Richard Taylor said; “It’s such a pleasure to be here. It’s our first time in Belfast. You guys have a beautiful city”. The frontman's comments echoed that of Harris, who in an earlier chat with eonmusic revealed that he’d enjoyed a visit to both the city’s Titanic Belfast exhibition – recently voted the world’s leading tourist attraction - and Christmas Market.
Going on to play the majority of tracks from their 2012 self-titled debut album, as well as a number of new songs including an uproariously received ‘Spitfire’, the band lapped up the Belfast spirit, with Taylor commenting; “This is a great way to finish the tour”.
Leading the crowd in a raucous singalong during ‘Guineas And Crowns’, Taylor, flanked by guitarist Grahame Leslie went on to dedicate the driving ‘A World Without Heaven’ to the Belfast audience.
Closing their set with a celebratory ‘Eyes Of The Young’, British Lion left the stage to a well-deserved applause, but not before promising to return in the not too distant future.
With the tour at an end, British Lion look set to release a live album culled from performances during the current, and prior runs. The disc is slated for release in 2017.
Look out for eonmusic’s exclusive interview with Steve Harris, to be published early next week.
