Iron Maiden will film its special Eddfest event at Knebworth in the United Kingdom after a power cut interrupted the band’s planned concert recording in Paris. The event will take place on 10 and 11 July and will be the group’s only UK performances in 2026.
The band originally planned to record its 22 June concert at La Défense Arena in Paris for a new concert film. However, the show was interrupted when a power failure struck about 50 minutes into the performance. The blackout happened during the song “Two Minutes To Midnight” and left the entire venue in complete darkness.
Electricity returned about one hour later. Iron Maiden went back on stage after local authorities allowed the concert to continue beyond the normal curfew. The extension gave more than 30,000 fans enough time to return home using public transport after the show ended.
Although the concert resumed, the band could not perform its final three encore songs. Those songs included “Aces High,” “Fear Of The Dark,” and “Wasted Years.” Since those tracks are considered an important part of the live show, the band decided they needed additional footage to complete the concert film.
Iron Maiden quickly confirmed that the missing scenes would be recorded during Eddfest at Knebworth. The event celebrates the band’s 50th anniversary and is part of its ongoing “Run For Your Lives” world tour. The group said the finished film will combine footage from both the Paris concert and the Knebworth performance.
Band founder and bassist Steve Harris said everyone knew what happened in Paris and confirmed that the band would finish the project at Knebworth. Lead singer Bruce Dickinson also said the film would keep the special moments from Paris while adding new scenes from the UK performance.
Eddfest is planned as a two-day celebration for Iron Maiden fans. Visitors can enjoy camping, live entertainment, themed attractions, shopping areas, and special activities inspired by the band’s famous mascot, Eddie. Maidenville will feature Eddie’s Dive Bar, a second stage for music and entertainment, and several fan experiences throughout the festival grounds.
One of the biggest attractions will be the Infinite Dreams Museum. The exhibition will display more than 50 items from Iron Maiden’s long history. Fans will be able to see famous stage props, costumes, and equipment from many different tours. These include the giant Pharaoh head from the “World Slavery Tour,” Eddie’s ray gun from the “Somewhere On Tour,” the electric chair from the “X Factor” era, the “Phantom Of The Opera” organ, Baphomet from “The Number Of The Beast,” and many personal items collected from current and former members of the band.
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said the collection includes items from the band’s archives, warehouses, offices, and personal storage. He encouraged visitors to arrive early because there will be many exhibits and activities to enjoy during the weekend.
Iron Maiden will headline the main stage on Saturday, 11 July, with its “Run For Your Lives” show. The supporting lineup includes The Hu, The Darkness, The Almighty, and Airbourne. Former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley will headline the second stage on Friday evening. Bayley, who was the band’s lead singer from 1994 to 1999, will perform songs from his years with Iron Maiden as part of the anniversary celebration.
Bayley said he was honored to take part in Eddfest and looked forward to performing songs from the two albums he recorded with the band. He added that he was excited to celebrate Iron Maiden’s 50-year journey with fans at the famous Knebworth venue.
Tickets for Eddfest are still available. General admission costs £145.08, while camping is offered for an additional £50.85. Fans can also choose from several VIP packages and glamping options for the two-day event.
The unexpected power outage in Paris changed Iron Maiden’s filming plans, but it also gave the band a chance to include another historic performance in its anniversary project. With thousands of fans expected at Knebworth, Eddfest will now serve as both a celebration of five decades of Iron Maiden and the final recording location for a concert film that marks one of the band’s biggest milestone tours.
