Director Wes Orshoski shares what he gets after watching back the journey of Paul Di'Anno in the new 'Di'Anno: Iron Maiden's Lost Singe' documentary.' Continue reading…
While our full review covers every moment of the Iron Maiden live performance, the wider EDDFEST experience offered something just as compelling: a fully immersive festival world built around fifty years of Maiden history. From the first steps into Maidenville, a fan‑driven micro‑festival packed with artwork, games and iconic imagery, what was immediately clear was that EDDFEST was not just another rock event but a celebration of the culture, community and creativity that have grown around Iron Maiden for decades.
This is the side of EDDFEST that lives beyond the music, where fans, makers and long‑time devotees bring the band’s universe to life in ways only a true Maiden crowd can.
Friday set the tone for the diehards. Before the main arena opened, a smaller section affectionately dubbed Maidenville became a summer‑camp for Metal‑Eds, packed with iconic imagery, fairground games like hook‑a‑duck with Maiden‑branded prizes, chill‑out spots, and pockets of activity everywhere you turned.
EDDFEST – 10/11 July 2026. Photo: Rhys Tagg/MetalTalk
More than six thousand fans filtered through, giving the whole area the warmth of a reunion rather than a queue for the weekend ahead. It was the perfect introduction to the wider lifestyle world unfolding across the site.
As Maidenville buzzed, some of the band’s extended family joined the festivities, playing sets while independent local rock’ n’ roll businesses grafted in the heat. The shift from playful fan energy to maker‑driven creativity felt seamless.
Dean of the Dead drew crowds with special‑edition hot sauces created in collaboration with Iron Maiden, sending fans away with watering eyes and wide grins.
EDDFEST – 10/11 July 2026. Photo: Rhys Tagg/MetalTalk
A short wander brought you to Raven Records, where Chloe and Ben had stepped away from Camden and from making the coffees we all rely on to sell records and talk fans through the craft behind their Heavy Metal blends. Concept Café Coffees and Black Coffee Worship were stocked, including Type O Negative coffee blood bags and face‑melting Black Metal roasts that felt tailor‑made for the weekend.
Eddie’s Dive Bar kept spirits high with Maiden‑branded beers, wines and spirits, shaded by Trooper parasols, at least until Friday night, when most of them mysteriously vanished, no doubt reappearing in a few very proud gardens. One of the beers on tap was a festival exclusive, and Maiden’s red wine sported an updated 2026 label. Food stalls joined in too, decorating their spaces and naming dishes after Maiden icons, keeping the immersion intact from bar to plate.
EDDFEST – 10/11 July 2026. Photo: Rhys Tagg/MetalTalk
Just beyond the food and drink areas, the Heavy Metal Truants had their own space complete with bikes, giving fans the chance to literally put the pedal to the metal while raising awareness ahead of their annual ride, with 2026 taking them to Bloodstock this August. The shift from indulgence to charity felt natural, another facet of the community that keeps Maiden’s world turning.
EDDFEST – 10/11 July 2026. Photo: Rhys Tagg/MetalTalk
The Norfolk Tank Museum rolled into the arena next, their Centurion MK13 Duchess tank paired with war‑torn zombies to recreate A Matter Of Life And Death for an epic photo op. Hard to believe that record is twenty years old now. Opposite, Old Sarum Tattoos offered Iron Maiden‑inspired flash tattoos, creating a neat contrast between heavy machinery and permanent art, two very different ways of wearing your fandom.
EDDFEST – 10/11 July 2026. Photo: Rhys Tagg/MetalTalk
For those wanting deeper immersion, the Infinite Dreams experience delivered fifty years of Iron Maiden history through fifty iconic artefacts, stage‑used instruments, outfits, props and pieces that have been locked away for years. Moving from the noise of the arena into a quieter, curated space felt like stepping into a different tempo entirely, a moment of stillness in the middle of the festival.
PodPads offered a welcome retreat from the heat and dust. Walking into the glampsite felt like entering a boutique hideaway, complete with a hotel‑style reception desk under a large canopy, handmade tables and chairs, and plenty of charging points. Staff offered porter‑style assistance, carrying bags and guiding guests to their numbered yurts while explaining the layout and services.
Inside, pre‑made beds, towels, rugs and even a vase of flowers made it a calm escape from the festival’s bustle. The showers and vanity area were a hit too, perfect for blow‑drying headbanging hair or simply taking a moment to breathe.
EDDFEST – 10/11 July 2026. Photo: Rhys Tagg/MetalTalk
With so much to explore, it wasn’t until Saturday lunchtime that we reached the Trooper VIP area, tucked around the old Knebworth barns. More bars, more food, more merch, and plenty of shaded spots made it a comfortable hideaway. Fans could even buy a hand‑crafted Iron Maiden print made right in front of them, bridging the gap between luxury and artistry.
The biggest draw, though, was the exclusive access to original Iron Maiden drawings and artworks by Derek Riggs. Walking through a dedicated gallery of Riggs’ work felt genuinely special, a rare chance to stand inches away from the imagery that shaped the band’s identity. It was the perfect emotional crescendo to a weekend built on immersion, creativity and history.
EDDFEST – 10/11 July 2026. Photo: Rhys Tagg/MetalTalk
What lingered most as the weekend wound down wasn’t the spectacle but the feeling that, for a brief moment, the entire Iron Maiden universe had been opened up and handed directly to the people who built it through decades of devotion.
As the evening light softened over the barns and the dust settled into a warm haze, the festival felt quieter, almost intimate. EDDFEST reminded you that Maiden’s world is not just built by the band. It is held together by the people who show up, year after year, ready to live inside it.
EDDFEST – 10/11 July 2026. Photo: Rhys Tagg/MetalTalk
If they ever choose to reopen that history, to create a full gallery or museum where fans can take their time with these pieces, it would be welcome.
One weekend was not enough to absorb everything they offered, and maybe that’s the point. The world Iron Maiden have built is bigger than any single visit.
This is the debut album from sludge metal band Stay Dead. Featuring members of Aiwass and High Desert Queen, Stay Dead play a compelling mix of sludge and doom. Beneath the Weight of Worlds contains five original songs, plus a cover, bringing together 36 minutes of material in total. Beneath the Weight of Worlds focuses … Continue reading “Stay Dead – Beneath the Weight of Worlds (Review)”
As Bloodstock gets closer, we delve deep into the line up to find out more about some of the bands playing the New Blood and EMP stages at this years event.
Today we chat with Death Brigade
Please introduce yourselves.
I’m Kieran Hall – Drummer Rest of band are: Anthony Gill – Vocalist Charlie Cozza – Lead Guitar Paul Hanlon – Rhythm Guitar Reece Witcombe – Bass
How would you describe your sound?
We play Blackened Death Metal and everything we do is inspired by the grim dark world of Trench Crusade
How did you land your spot on the Bloodstock bill?
Through Somerset’s M2TM competition
How tough was the competition this year?
It was a tough competition, we are a relatively new band having formed only in August 2025 and playing against experienced bands that have been entering the competition for years was daunting but we took on the challenge!
What does playing at Bloodstock mean to you?
It’s an insane privilege and one we’ve still not fully processed – we never expected to win the competition in our first year and we’re not sure anyone else ever has either so it’s a huge honour to represent Somerset on the stage!
For people who’ve never seen you live, what can they expect at Bloodstock?
We bring a high intensity show that combines the lore of the subject matter with brutal blackened death metal and an unrivaled atmosphere
What day are you performing?
Sunday 9th August
What other bands are you looking forward to watching at Bloodstock this year?
Definitely Lamb Of God, and some of us are partial to a bit of Bodycount as well!
Playing the New Blood Stage is just the first steppingstone in a bands journey. What’s next in your plans for world domination?
We’re hoping to use our appearance on the New Blood stage as the launchpad for greater things – we’re going to release a full length album later in the year and we’d like to play shows across the country, maybe even come back for the Sophie stage at next year’s Bloodstock!
Are you camping with the fans? Which campsite are you heading for?
Since we won M2TM we’re going to enjoy the perks that come with that so we’re camping in the Artist / VIP area.
You’ve gotta keep hydrated at Bloodstock, what is your drink of choice for the weekend?
We love a bit of Road Crew (the Motorhead beer) in our band, so we’ll definitely take a few crates of that along with us – but definitely drink lots of water!
See you at Bloodstock in a few weeks!
Thank you – we can’t wait to play, and we hope to see you in the Trench of Death
The Rush Sphere residency rumors just went from whisper to roar. According to a new report from The Sun’s Bizarre column, the Canadian rock legends have been quietly negotiating with Las Vegas Sphere bosses for some time, and contracts could reportedly be locked down within the next couple of weeks.
That report lands just days after longtime radio host Eddie Trunk told his SiriusXM audience that a Rush residency at the venue is already a “done deal” — one he claims will consist of between 16 and 18 performances next year. Nothing is official yet, but the smoke around this one is getting very thick.
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Scott Penfold breaks down the Rush Sphere report — and why the world’s most advanced venue is becoming rock’s new arms race — on today’s Metal Breakdown Daily. Download the free Loaded Radio App on Apple iOS and Google Play to stream the broadcast natively.
What The Report Actually Says
Per The Sun’s source, Rush’s massive North American audience, deep catalog and legendary live reputation make the band a natural fit for the Sphere, with negotiations described as having been underway behind the scenes for a while. The claim: a signed deal could arrive within weeks.
The tabloid report would be easy to shrug off on its own — but it doesn’t stand alone. Fan site Rush Is A Band flagged Eddie Trunk’s on-air comments days earlier, in which the veteran broadcaster characterized the residency as finalized and pegged it at 16 to 18 shows in 2027. Two independent signals pointing at the same target is usually where “rumor” starts becoming “announcement pending.”
For now, treat it as unconfirmed — but well-sourced smoke.
Why The Sphere Makes Perfect Sense For Rush
The Sphere is a 17,600-capacity venue just off the Strip that has redefined live production since opening in September 2023, wrapping audiences in the world’s highest-resolution LED display and the HOLOPLOT-powered Sphere Immersive Sound system. U2, Phish, Dead & Company and The Eagles have all held residencies there — and Metallica made history as the first metal band to headline the venue, with a residency that has kept expanding, now stretching from this October into March 2027.
Now consider Rush: a band whose catalog is practically built for a 16K wraparound canvas. “2112.” “Cygnus X-1.” “Red Barchetta.” Entire albums of science fiction, dystopia and cinematic storytelling that have been waiting fifty years for a screen big enough to hold them. If any classic rock catalog was born for this venue, it’s this one.
And Rush wouldn’t be alone in the queue — TOOL’s Adam Jones recently confirmed his band is in talks for a Sphere residency of their own. The Sphere gold rush is officially on, and the heaviest catalogs in rock are lining up.
What makes this report believable is the year Rush is having. The “Fifty Something” tour — the band’s first with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson joined by drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold — was initially announced as a 22-date run and sold out immediately. It has since ballooned to 58 shows across 24 cities, with more than half a million tickets sold for 2026, plus South America and Europe dates added for early 2027 — the band’s first European shows since 2013.
Not bad for a band that, just a few years ago, would only say a return was “not impossible”. The demand question has been answered emphatically. A Vegas residency isn’t a gamble at this point — it’s the logical next move for a band celebrating Neil Peart’s legacy in front of the biggest audiences of their career.
What Happens Next
If The Sun’s timeline holds, an official announcement could arrive within weeks. Watch for how a 2027 residency would slot around the already-announced South American and European legs — and whether the Sphere production leans into the band’s visual universe the way U2 and Metallica’s shows have.
Loaded Radio will keep you posted the moment anything is confirmed.
The Sun reports Rush is in talks for a Las Vegas Sphere residency, with contracts reportedly weeks from being signed
Radio host Eddie Trunk claims the deal is already done and will consist of 16 to 18 shows next year
Nothing has been officially confirmed by Rush or the Sphere
The Sphere has hosted U2, Phish, Dead & Company and The Eagles, with Metallica’s residency running October 2026 through March 2027 and TOOL also in talks
Rush’s “Fifty Something” tour has sold over half a million tickets across 58 shows, with South America and Europe dates set for early 2027
FAQ
Is Rush doing a Las Vegas Sphere residency?
Nothing is officially confirmed. The Sun reports Rush has been negotiating with the Sphere for some time and a deal could be signed within weeks, while radio host Eddie Trunk has claimed the residency is already finalized.
How many shows would a Rush Sphere residency include?
According to Eddie Trunk’s comments on SiriusXM, the residency would consist of between 16 and 18 performances next year.
Who is in Rush’s current lineup?
The “Fifty Something” lineup features founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson alongside drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold, with the shows celebrating the life and legacy of late drummer Neil Peart.
Which rock bands have played residencies at the Sphere?
U2, Phish, Dead & Company and The Eagles have all held Sphere residencies, Metallica’s residency runs from October 2026 into March 2027, and TOOL has confirmed it is in talks for a future residency.
Is Rush touring in 2026 and 2027?
Yes. The “Fifty Something” tour spans 58 shows across 24 cities in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico in 2026, with South America and Europe dates following in early 2027 — the band’s first European shows since 2013.
Would you fly to Vegas to see Rush inside the Sphere? Tell us which Rush song needs the 16K treatment in the comments below, and follow Loaded Radio for daily rock and metal news.
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