Gig #2 - 16/06/00: Metal 2000 at Earls Court
The year 2000 is a perfect storm. We have survived the millenium bug, and in this brand new century myself and my friends are 18 years old, finishing school, leaving home and moving to the city. We have our first proper girlfriends, we're having all sorts of new experiences, the world is opening up and life is a great big party. Unlikely as it feels, somehow we are technically grown-ups, and the feeling of freedom is amazing. Appropriately, Iron Maiden have apparently got the message, and, determined to live up to their unknown role as my very own musical avatar, have thrown themselves headfirst into this climate of change, optimism and exciting new beginnings. Things have changed since our trip to the Barrowlands a couple of years ago; in February 1999, singer Blaze Bayley is unceremoniously given his marching orders from the band and his illustrious predecessor, a certain Bruce Dickinson, returns to the fold, along with guitarist Adrian Smith, whose departure in 1988 had ...