After Paris Power Cut: Iron Maiden To Film Eddfest @ Knebworth

Iron Maiden‘s Eddfest is coming to Knebworth, UK, July 10-11, and the band announced plans to film what will mark their only UK shows in 2026.

The band had originally planned to film its June 22 performance at La Défense Arena in Paris, France, which it did. But a power cut about fifty minutes into the set, towards the end of a rendition of “Two Minutes To Midnight,” a total power cut in the building brought everything to a sudden stop, plunging Europe’s biggest indoor stadium into silence and total blackness.

Full power was eventually restored, and the band were able to retake the stage about an hour after the cut occurred and resume the concert. The Police allowed an extension to the legal curfew until 11.35 p.m. sharp, in order to make sure the 30,000-plus fans in attendance would still be able to take the public transport home.

Iron Maiden were able to finish the set, but without the three encores “Aces High”, “Fear Of The Dark”, and “Wasted Years”.

Needless to say, those songs need to be on any Iron Maiden concert film, which is why the band quickly decided to complete the forthcoming film at the hallowed grounds of Knebworth, England, July 11, where they will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary tour with Eddfest.

“After a lot of rapid, behind-the-scenes activity, Eddfest will now be captured for posterity, meaning that the fans in both Paris and also in the UK, at this unique event, will become part of the cinematic film commemorating the Run For Your Lives production, which is currently halfway through the World Tour,” a press release from the band’s camp announcing the plans to film Eddfest reads.

Eddfest offers camping and tons of Iron Maiden themed attraction on site. From Maidenville, where fans will find “the greatest Eddie’s Dive Bar yet” to a second stage for music and entertainment to the Unfair Funfair featuring rides and Eddie-themed Funfair Games, plus Eddie’s Emporium and much more to explore.

There’ll even be an Infinite Dreams Museum, bringing Iron Maiden’s incredible history to life with many exhibits, including the iconic pharaoh’s head from the “World Slavery Tour”; Eddie’s ray-gun from 1986’s “Somewhere On Tour”; the X-Factor electric chair; tank commander Eddie from the “A Matter of Life & Death Tour”; Baphomet from “Number Of The Beast”; the “Phantom of the Opera” organ from the “Maiden England” tour; and personal band mementoes from Paul Di’Anno onwards.

Iron Maiden will headline Eddfest on Saturday, July 11. Blaze Bayley, who fronted the band from 1994 to 1999, will headline the second stage in Maidenville, on Friday, July 10, playing an Iron Maiden set from his era.

The main stage will only open on Saturday, when Iron Maiden will perform their “Run For Your Lives” show. The supporting lineup or special guests that day includes The Hu, The Darkness, The Almighty, and Airbourne.

Tickets for Eddfest, July 10-11, remain on sale, with general tickets going for £145.08 ($192.33) including feed but excluding camping, which costs another £50.85 ($67.41). There’s various VIP and glamping options on sale, too.

Pollstar ran a mega special on the band’s 50-year career in our November 2025 issue, which you can find here.

Number Of The Beast: 50 Years of Iron Maiden Touring Dominance (Special)

Comments:

Band founder and bass-player Steve Harris, “You all know what happened in Paris, we all know what happened in Paris, so we’re gonna finish it off at Knebworth, and we’ll see you there.”

Bruce Dickinson added, “We’re not going to lose what we did in Paris but we’re going to add to it with some amazing stuff from Knebworth. So Knebworth, be on ya best behaviour!”

Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood, commenting on the Infinite Dreams Museum, said, “We’ve raided Eddie’s Archive, Steve’s garden and our very own offices, warehouses and homes to bring you some actual pieces of our history! More than 50 items from almost 50 years of history will be on display for tens of thousands of you to see. Try to be there early, because sadly there likely won’t be time for every one of you to take everything in, especially as we have so many other exciting things happening on site.”

And speaking about Eddfest in general he added, “This weekend is for you, our fans, we are trying to do something special and a bit different in celebration of 50 years– a full on Maiden experience from the moment you arrive on site to the minute you leave. And of course, a very special couple of days for the campers, and I will certainly join them both nights, as I don’t want to miss anything!. So enjoy it, try to get to see and be part of a bit of everything, and I’ll see you in the bar!”

Friday night headliner Blaze Bayley, “I’m so excited to be invited to headline Friday night at EDDFEST, celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden,” says Blaze. “I am so proud of my two albums with the band and I’m really looking forward to playing some of the songs that we recorded together. Can’t wait to see you all at the hallowed grounds of Knebworth!”