More than a quarter of a century since his last U.K. jaunt, Bruce Dickinson was back on stage with his solo band, for a show in Manchester on Sunday night (19th May 2024). Taking place at the city's Academy venue, the barnstormer proved more than just a support for recent album 'The Mandrake Project', but a reclaiming of his solo career.
It's been 26 years since Bruce Dickinson last went on a solo U.K. trek. Back then he was struggling to fill the likes of this venue's neighbouring Academy 3 (capacity; 470), and Glasgow's tiny G2, but on this run of dates, there are no such worries. With most of the dates sold out on this five-date tour of much bigger venues, it's safe to say his solo career has been well and truly reappraised.
Save for a brief continental festival run in 2002, the catalogue of songs that Dickinson has produced mostly alongside long time collaborator Roy Z, has lain dormant, but tonight it's well and truly back, and along with newies from this year's excellent 'The Mandrake Project', the singer seems to be fervently relishing performing them.
It all kicks off with 'Accident of Birth', the 1997 track that announced his return to straight ahead metal after a brief detour into musical experimentation. Riding along on a not just a chugging riff, but a wave of pent-up energy, It's the perfect opener, and when the colossal chorus arrives and Bruce tweaks the lyrics to; "Welcome home, it's been too long, we've missed you Manchester!", there's an added jolt of excitement.
It's an arresting start, and with 'Abduction' following, there's no let up in the energy levels. Bouncing back and forth like a barely contained pinball, Dickinson's incredible enthusiasm is palpable, and when he lets out a patented "Scream for me Manchester!", the room, predictably goes wild.
Although the set list has offered some surprises and deviations since the tour kicked off Stateside earlier this year, tonight it's the sixteen-song run that has become standard, which is fine, because every one is a winner. 'Laughing in the Hiding Bush' is beefier than on record, while 'The Chemical Wedding' is moody and mysterious, and when Bruce raises his arm to reach those high notes, it's utterly majestic. The song that kicked off his return, 'Afterglow of Ragnarok' meanwhile, sounds nothing short of monstrous.
The biggest cheer thus far however, is reserved for "a little something by a man called Blake", in the shape of the epic 'Jerusalem'. Featuring 12-string acoustic from his House Band of Hell guitarist Philip Naslund, it builds into something truly monumental, and absolutely deserving of the rapturous response it receives.
Of course, Dickinson has the new album to promote, and from 'The Mandrake Project' we also get the Deep Purple-esque 'Rain on the Graves' -featuring the main man on bongos, no less - as well as the infectious 'Resurrection Men' and Ghost-like earworm 'Many Doors to Hell'.
However it's 'Tears of the Dragon' which raises the loudest emotions. Peaking, modestly, at No.28 when it was released as a single in May 1994, it's since become certifiably Dickinson's most popular song, with over 53 million plays on Spotify at the time of writing, And it shows, with the entire audience leading the final verse and singing along passionately to the choruses.
If it isn't already abundantly clear, the atmosphere in the room is electric, and with the show taking place on the same day that Manchester City score a record breaking forth Premiere League title in a row over Maiden leader Steve Harris's beloved West Ham football club, Dickinson is prompted to quip; "I'm sure Steve is biting his arm off at the moment. I'm seeing him next week - we'll talk about it".
Going on to slow the pace with a nuanced 'Navigate the Seas of the Sun', all that's left is the band introductions - special mention must go to perma-smiling keytarist Mistheria - and a celebratory romp through the 'Chemical Wedding' pairing of 'Book of Thel' and 'The Tower'.
Taking his bows, a bowled over Bruce declares; "What a night! The energy in the room is fucking amazing!"
Dickinson looks to be having the time of his life right now, and leaving with a promise of more U.K. dates next year in "bigger venues", it's certain that we've not seen the last of him in his solo guise.
Save for a brief continental festival run in 2002, the catalogue of songs that Dickinson has produced mostly alongside long time collaborator Roy Z, has lain dormant, but tonight it's well and truly back, and along with newies from this year's excellent 'The Mandrake Project', the singer seems to be fervently relishing performing them.
It all kicks off with 'Accident of Birth', the 1997 track that announced his return to straight ahead metal after a brief detour into musical experimentation. Riding along on a not just a chugging riff, but a wave of pent-up energy, It's the perfect opener, and when the colossal chorus arrives and Bruce tweaks the lyrics to; "Welcome home, it's been too long, we've missed you Manchester!", there's an added jolt of excitement.
It's an arresting start, and with 'Abduction' following, there's no let up in the energy levels. Bouncing back and forth like a barely contained pinball, Dickinson's incredible enthusiasm is palpable, and when he lets out a patented "Scream for me Manchester!", the room, predictably goes wild.
Although the set list has offered some surprises and deviations since the tour kicked off Stateside earlier this year, tonight it's the sixteen-song run that has become standard, which is fine, because every one is a winner. 'Laughing in the Hiding Bush' is beefier than on record, while 'The Chemical Wedding' is moody and mysterious, and when Bruce raises his arm to reach those high notes, it's utterly majestic. The song that kicked off his return, 'Afterglow of Ragnarok' meanwhile, sounds nothing short of monstrous.
The biggest cheer thus far however, is reserved for "a little something by a man called Blake", in the shape of the epic 'Jerusalem'. Featuring 12-string acoustic from his House Band of Hell guitarist Philip Naslund, it builds into something truly monumental, and absolutely deserving of the rapturous response it receives.
Of course, Dickinson has the new album to promote, and from 'The Mandrake Project' we also get the Deep Purple-esque 'Rain on the Graves' -featuring the main man on bongos, no less - as well as the infectious 'Resurrection Men' and Ghost-like earworm 'Many Doors to Hell'.
However it's 'Tears of the Dragon' which raises the loudest emotions. Peaking, modestly, at No.28 when it was released as a single in May 1994, it's since become certifiably Dickinson's most popular song, with over 53 million plays on Spotify at the time of writing, And it shows, with the entire audience leading the final verse and singing along passionately to the choruses.
If it isn't already abundantly clear, the atmosphere in the room is electric, and with the show taking place on the same day that Manchester City score a record breaking forth Premiere League title in a row over Maiden leader Steve Harris's beloved West Ham football club, Dickinson is prompted to quip; "I'm sure Steve is biting his arm off at the moment. I'm seeing him next week - we'll talk about it".
Going on to slow the pace with a nuanced 'Navigate the Seas of the Sun', all that's left is the band introductions - special mention must go to perma-smiling keytarist Mistheria - and a celebratory romp through the 'Chemical Wedding' pairing of 'Book of Thel' and 'The Tower'.
Taking his bows, a bowled over Bruce declares; "What a night! The energy in the room is fucking amazing!"
Dickinson looks to be having the time of his life right now, and leaving with a promise of more U.K. dates next year in "bigger venues", it's certain that we've not seen the last of him in his solo guise.