Even if it was merely a big, outdoor gig, Iron Maiden’s Eddfest would be one of the events of the year. But there’s more to it than just the music. Infinite Dreams Experience is an on-site display of props and memorabilia from Maiden’s illustrious 50-year history.
“A big part of doing this is to show fans items that have never seen the light of day apart from on past tours,” says Ben Smallwood, the Infinite Dreams Experience creative director. “It’s a way of inviting the fans into the Maiden world, giving them more access and a chance to see these things up close.”
The items on display run from the 80s to most recent tours. It goes without saying that Eddie features rather prominently throughout.
“Some of it is very old, from the 80s, but the [props are] great to see up close because they’re so clearly handmade and have real character,” says Ben. “We’re excited to share it because it’s a huge part of who Maiden are and their history.”
Read on, as Ben talks us through some of the items that will be on display at Eddfest.
Clairvoyant Eddie
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“Derek Riggs’ The Clairvoyant artwork from the Seventh Son era is one of Steve’s favourite pieces of art. This specific prop is from the Maiden England tour [2012-14], and it was used during the track Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son. It’s massive – the full-sized bust is probably three metres tall.”
Tank Commander Eddie
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“He appeared on top of the tank turret on the A Matter Of Life And Death tour in 2006-07, looking through his binoculars. We’ll be displaying Tank Commander Eddie, but there’s not room for the actual tank.”
Cyborg Eddie
(Image credit: Press)
“This is Cyborg Eddie from the Somewhere Back In Time tour in 2008-09. He stands about four metres tall. A big Eddie!”
Sarcophagus Eddie
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“That’s an original sarcophagus from the World Slavery tour [1984-85]. He’s a big lad. Steve has kept some other items from that tour at his house, and he’s loaning them to the museum. We’ve got the big Sarcophagus Eddie that splits open and the mummy comes out.”
Grim Reaper Eddie
(Image credit: Press)
“It’s from the Dance Of Death tour [2003-04]. He was our pop-up Eddie during the song Iron Maiden.”
Baphomet
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“That’s Baphomet from the Final Frontier tour [2010-11]. He appeared during The Number Of The Beast. It’s huge – you can sit on its lap like it’s Christmas and he’s Santa Claus!”
Icebergs
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“Those are the icebergs from the Maiden England tour, which is obviously Seventh Son themed. The cages are actually on hydraulics. They would sit under the stage, and then the hydraulic lifts would push them up into
the stage set.”
Polish poster and police hat
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“That’s one of the posters used to advertise the Behind The Iron Curtain tour in 1984 [part of the World Slavery tour], which was the first time a Western band had taken a major show to Eastern Europe. Publicity was still under the control of the Soviet Union, so you weren’t allowed to print artwork or logos. Kenny Feuerman, who directed the Behind The Iron Curtain documentary, took one off the wall and kept it. He also kept one of the Polish police hats that were thrown onstage. They’re authentic antiques from that era.”
Egyptian Cat
(Image credit: Press)
“It was part of the stage set from the Somewhere Back In Time tour. We also have the original animals from the World Slavery tour, though they’re obviously a lot older and not in as good condition.”
Iron Maiden are on the cover of the brand new issue of Metal Hammer – which comes with an exclusive Maiden Eddfest water bottle! Order your copy online here and have it delivered straight to your door. You can also get an alternate cover version of the magazine with a glow-in-the-dark Maiden shirt in an exclusive bundle here.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Iron Maiden)
