IRON MAIDEN kicked off their long-anticipated Run for Your Lives tour on Tuesday (May 27), marking the band’s 50th anniversary with a grand opening show in Budapest, Hungary. The concert not only celebrated the milestone but also introduced a new face behind the drum kit: Simon Dawson, stepping in for the retired Nicko McBrain, who bid farewell to the stage in December 2024.
While the excitement was palpable leading up to the tour, many fans left the Budapest show feeling underwhelmed. The root of the frustration? The setlist.
Though IRON MAIDEN’s performance included some long-absent favorites like “Murders in the Rue Morgue” and “Killers”, as well as a triumphant return of “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” after a 16-year hiatus, the setlist remained firmly rooted in the band’s tried-and-true classics. Songs such as “Fear of the Dark,” “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” “Aces High,” “2 Minutes to Midnight,” “Iron Maiden,” “Run to the Hills,” and “The Trooper” predictably filled the set, drawing criticism from fans hoping for something bolder.
Adding to the disappointment was the exclusion of any material from the 1990 album No Prayer for the Dying, despite the tour’s promise to cover fan favorites from the band’s first nine albums (1980–1992). This omission felt particularly jarring given the statement from manager Rod Smallwood before the tour launched:
“We’ll cover classics and fan favorites from the first nine albums, from Iron Maiden [1980] to Fear of the Dark [1992], many of which we haven’t played in years and many of which we’ll probably never play again in the future.”
Instead of surprising deep cuts, fans were treated to a largely predictable set, leading to a chorus of complaints on social media. One fan voiced frustration with the lack of fresh choices:
“Well, yes. IRON MAIDEN have had the most predictable setlist possible on this tour. Nothing new, not a single thing. I can say that it was nice to have ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue,’ ‘Killers,’ and ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’ back. However, no ‘Sun and Steel,’ ‘Only the Good Die Young,’ and ‘Judas Be My Guide.’ And they completely ignored No Prayer for the Dying. The positive feedback from the last tour, because they included ‘Alexander the Great,’ was of no use. Once again the band returns to its comfort zone.”
Another fan chimed in with a suggestion for shaking up the setlist, arguing that familiar hits should make way for deeper cuts:
“It’s hard to please people who want more obscure tracks. These are all great songs, but man, can you imagine listening to ‘Afraid to Shoot Strangers’ after 30-plus years instead of ‘Fear of the Dark,’ which is played over and over again?”
While the inclusion of rarely performed songs did offer a few surprises, the overall setlist left some attendees longing for more adventurous choices. As IRON MAIDEN’s Run for Your Lives tour continues to roll through cities worldwide, fans will be watching closely to see if the band takes their feedback to heart—or if the comfort zone remains the safe bet for this legendary group.
Setlist for Budapest show was as follows:
01. Murders In The Rue Morgue (first performance since September 2, 2005)
02. Wrathchild (first performance since July 2, 2017)
03. Killers (first performance since October 1, 1999)
04. Phantom Of The Opera (first performance since July 5, 2014)
05. The Number Of The Beast
06. The Clairvoyant (first performance since October 2, 2013)
07. Powerslave (first performance since July 22, 2017)
08. 2 Minutes To Midnight (first performance since October 15, 2019)
09. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner (first performance since April 2, 2009)
10. Run To The Hills
11. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son (first performance since July 5, 2014)
12. The Trooper
13. Hallowed Be Thy Name
14. Iron Maiden
Encore:
15. Aces High
16. Fear Of The Dark
17. Wasted Years
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.