Bruce Dickinson Owns the Stage & Brings a Few Surprises Too

It’s been a few years since Detroit last saw Bruce Dickinson perform, 2022 in fact. And for those waiting for an Iron Maiden show, they’re going to have to wait a bit longer. But Bruce Dickinson’s Mandrake Project at The Fillmore last night was the next best thing.

The night opened with Cowboy Angels from Bay City with a punchy set. The group brought amazing energy with a Bon Scott rasp and AC/DC grit. A great warm-up for what was ahead.

Bruce’s set began with an eerie Twilight Zone intro, the calm before the storm. Then suddenly Bruce and his band hit the stage with full force, cranking up the energy to 11 and tearing through the first several songs, “Accident of Birth”, “Abduction” and “Laughing In The Hiding Bush.” The set was a mix of songs from his solo career and The Mandrake Project - but included “Flash of the Blade” from Iron Maiden’s 1984 album, Powerslave, the only Maiden song they performed.

The band supporting him was excellent - Tanya O’Callaghan carried the songs with her bass. Guitarists Chris Declercq and Philip Naslund traded riffs and solos as sharp as anything you’d hear on a big arena stage. Keyboardist, Mistheria, brought melodic textures that fit in perfectly with the very theatrical performance that night. Drummer Dave Moreno was solid as a rock, driving the night forward with relentless power.

There were plenty of surprises. “Shadow of the Gods” featured Bruce on theremin. He later joined Moreno for a playful drum battle, jumped behind his own kit, and added percussion with congas, and bongos during “Resurrection Men.” Throughout, his vocals were strong and commanding, just what fans came for. The crowd was hooked from start to finish, cheering and clapping along. By the encore, “Tears of the Dragon,” “Gods of War,” and “The Tower”(an epic finale from his 1998 solo album The Chemical Wedding), the room was roaring.

For anyone who skipped this show because they were waiting for Maiden’s next Detroit gig, they missed out. Bruce brought his incredible vocals and stage presence, backed by a band that was tight, polished, and powerful. Decades into his career, Bruce still owns the stage.

Set list:

Accident of Birth

Abduction

Laughing in the Hiding Bush

Shadow of Gods

Chemical Wedding

Flash of the Blade

Resurrection Men

Rain on the Graves

Frankenstein

Alchemist

Book of Thel

Road To Hell

Encore:

Tears of the Dragon

Gods of War

The Tower

*Review written by Brandon Nagy