Iron Maiden officially kicked off their Run for Your Lives 50th anniversary tour on May 27, 2025, with a powerful performance at the Papp László Sportaréna in Budapest, Hungary. The show featured a career-spanning setlist focused on their first nine studio albums, from Iron Maiden (1980) through Fear of the Dark (1992).
The concert opened with a prerecorded intro of The Ides of March, followed by a high-energy trio of tracks from Killers: Murders in the Rue Morgue, Wrathchild, and Killers. Notably, it was the first time Iron Maiden performed Killers live since 1999.
The night was filled with rare performances:
Phantom of the Opera was played for the first time since 2014
The Clairvoyant returned to the stage after a hiatus since 2013
Rime of the Ancient Mariner appeared for the first time since 2009
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son was performed again after more than a decade, last played in 2014
The band closed the main set with fan favorites and ended the show with a three-song encore: Aces High, Fear of the Dark, and Wasted Years.
This Budapest performance was also significant for marking Iron Maiden’s first live appearance with drummer Simon Dawson, replacing long-time member Nicko McBrain. McBrain announced his retirement from touring in December 2024 after revealing ongoing health challenges following a stroke in January 2023. Dawson, who has worked with bassist Steve Harris in British Lion since 2013, made his official debut behind the kit with Iron Maiden.
The Run for Your Lives European leg will run through August 2, concluding in Warsaw, Poland. More international dates are expected to be announced through 2026.
May 27, 2025 – Budapest, Hungary Setlist:
1. The Ides of March (intro)
2. Murders in the Rue Morgue
3. Wrathchild
4. Killers
5. Phantom of the Opera
6. The Number of the Beast
7. The Clairvoyant
8. Powerslave
9. 2 Minutes to Midnight
10. Rime of the Ancient Mariner
11. Heaven Can Wait
12. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
13. Iron Maiden
Encore:
14. Aces High
15. Fear of the Dark
16. Wasted Years
