Blaze Bayley has been confirmed as a headliner for the Maidenville stage on the Friday night of Iron Maiden‘s Eddfest, taking place at Knebworth Park this summer. The former Maiden vocalist — who fronted the band from 1994 to 1999 — will perform a set drawing exclusively from the two albums he recorded with them: The X Factor and Virtual XI.
Bayley said: “I’m so excited to be invited to headline Friday night at Eddfest, celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden. 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!”
The Friday night Maidenville stage has been personally curated by Iron Maiden bassist and founder Steve Harris, who co-wrote several of the tracks from that era alongside Bayley. Harris has also invited Gypsy’s Kiss — the band he formed in 1974 with singer and guitarist David Smith, and the very first group he ever played in — to appear on the same stage.
Harris said: “Having the opportunity to put together our very own festival at Knebworth, and celebrate 50 years of Iron Maiden, has given me a chance to bring together friends past and present and create a really special weekend for the fans.
“I’m very pleased that Blaze is able to join us and perform some of the songs we wrote and recorded in the ’90s. He has been a big part of Iron Maiden‘s career, and I know the fans will be really excited to see him on stage at Eddfest.
“It’s also great to have Gypsy’s Kiss playing with us at Knebworth too. They were a big part of my musical heritage, and it’s really exciting to have them play at the Maidenville stage.”
Eddfest is built around Iron Maiden‘s 50th anniversary and promises a fully themed weekend experience at Knebworth, including the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience — a walk-through display of stage props and relics tied to the Sunday Times bestseller Infinite Dreams — plus Eddie’s Dive Bar, an Unfair Funfair with Eddie-themed rides and games, and Eddie’s Extended Emporium. Camping is available for both nights, with Friday afternoon access included for weekend ticket holders.
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said: “After the monumental shows in the U.K. last year, we knew that if we were going to play the U.K. in 2026, it had to be very different. So we chose Knebworth Park as it gives us the space required — which is just not available in stadiums — to put together something groundbreaking for our fans by creating a ‘Maiden world’ for them.”
“We are excited to reveal the details of this one-off event now to celebrate the band’s 50-year career, which we are now calling Eddfest, because, as everyone knows, Eddie is the true star of the show! We also know Maiden fans are basically a huge gang, and we want to give them a weekend to remember at Knebworth.”
“For the last couple of tours, we have been arranging the Eddie Dive Bars for our fans, both pre- and post-show. Some of these took over the entire centres of towns with thousands of fans gathered there, enjoying the fun, the music, and each other’s company. So Eddfest is going to expand on that concept in a huge variety of ways, to create a truly unmissable ‘Maiden world’ over the whole weekend!”
“There will be a whole host of great music, great beer (of course!), lots of exciting and varied fun things to do, great souvenirs and merch, some unique and fantastic photo opportunities to create unbeatable Maiden memories, and of course, the true camaraderie that comes from being a Maiden fan.”
The post BLAZE BAYLEY Added To IRON MAIDEN’s Eddfest Festival — Will Play Exclusive Set From His Era appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.
