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The Final Frontier World Tour

The Final Frontier World Tour was a by the English band in support of their fifteenth studio album, , released in August 2010. The tour began on 9 June 2010 at the SuperPages.com Center in Dallas, Texas, , and ended on 6 August 2011 at the in , , encompassing 92 shows across , , , , , and the . The production emphasized the album's themes, featuring the band's mascot depicted as a towering figure emerging during performances. For the 2011 legs, utilized their customized aircraft, known as Ed Force One, to cover over 50,000 miles in a single 66-day global circuit, with vocalist piloting several segments to facilitate rapid travel between distant venues. Setlists varied between the tour's phases but typically ran about 17 songs, blending tracks from —such as "", "The Talisman", and "Coming Home"—with fan favorites including "", "", "Hallowed Be Thy Name", and the encore closer "". Supporting acts differed by region and leg; for instance, opened the North American dates in 2010, while Airbourne joined for most UK shows in 2011, and supported the Belfast and performances. A highlight of the tour was the recording of the live album and concert film En Vivo!, captured on 10 April 2011 at Estadio Nacional in , , before an audience of over 50,000, showcasing the band's high-energy delivery and the passionate Latin American fanbase.

Background and Announcement

Album Promotion Context

The Final Frontier World Tour served as the primary promotional vehicle for Iron Maiden's fifteenth studio album, , which was released on 16 August 2010 in and 17 August 2010 in . The album's overarching themes of , discovery, and futuristic adventure—evident in tracks like the title song "Satellite 15... The Final Frontier" and its narrative of an astronaut's isolation—directly shaped the tour's production elements, including a reimagined mascot as a cybernetic space warrior and stage visuals inspired by cosmic voyages. To prepare these designs, band members, including and Steve Harris, toured NASA's in June 2010, examining simulators and facilities for authentic thematic integration. In the lead-up to the album's launch, Iron Maiden initiated pre-tour promotional efforts through the early North American leg, which began previewing new material to build anticipation. On 8 June 2010, the band released the single "El Dorado"—a track from the forthcoming album—as a free digital download worldwide, positioning it as an exclusive preview of The Final Frontier's sound and style. This single debuted live during the tour's opening show, allowing fans to experience unreleased content months before the full album's availability and heightening excitement for the record's thematic depth. The tour dates were announced on 4 March 2010 via a Live Nation press release, explicitly framing the North American leg—starting 9 June 2010 at the Superpages.com Center in Dallas, Texas—as a direct extension of the album's rollout, with performances featuring album previews and innovative staging to showcase The Final Frontier. This initial 22-date run across the United States and Canada was designed to coincide with the album's late-summer release.

Tour Planning and Reveal

Iron Maiden officially announced the initial dates for The Final Frontier World Tour on their website on March 4, 2010, revealing a 22-show North American leg kicking off June 9 in Dallas, Texas, and concluding July 20 in Washington, D.C., with Dream Theater as special guests for most performances, alongside select European festival appearances from late July to early August. The announcement coincided with the reveal of the tour's supporting album title, positioning the trek as a preview of the record's themes of exploration and adventure. The full 2010 itinerary ultimately expanded to 41 concerts across North America and Europe, reflecting the band's ambition to reconnect with fans in key markets before the album's August release. For the 2011 legs of the tour, utilized their customized , dubbed Ed Force One, to transport the band, crew, and equipment on the global route. Frontman , a licensed commercial pilot, emphasized the aircraft's role in enabling efficient travel, stating that the positive response from the previous Tour made it "only logical to set up this part of tour in the same way so we could get to see as many fans as possible all over the World," while noting the enjoyment it brought to the crew. Following the strong ticket demand and fan enthusiasm during the 2010 legs, extended into 2011, announcing on a comprehensive run through , , and , including first-time shows in several markets like and , to capitalize on the momentum and broaden their international reach. This expansion, encompassing 29 shows across 13 countries from to April 2011, underscored 's evolution from a promotional outing into a full-scale endeavor, with Ed Force One again covering over 50,000 miles.

Tour Overview

Schedule and Legs

The Final Frontier World Tour commenced on June 9, 2010, and concluded on August 6, 2011, encompassing 98 shows across five continents in 36 countries. The tour's initial phase focused on from June to July 2010, featuring approximately 25 performances in the United States and to launch promotion of the album. This was immediately followed by a European leg spanning late July to early September 2010, with around 17 shows across multiple countries, marking the band's return to the continent after the North American dates. Following a several-month hiatus, the tour resumed in February 2011 with a leg covering and through March, delivering about 15 shows and utilizing the band's customized , Ed Force One, for rapid transcontinental travel piloted by frontman . The itinerary then shifted to from March to April 2011, including roughly 15 performances in , , and South American nations such as , , , , and . The tour's culminating phase returned to from May to August 2011, comprising approximately 34 shows, with several additional stadium and arena dates incorporated due to overwhelming demand, extending the into a comprehensive summer run across the , , and .

Production Elements

The production of the Final Frontier World Tour incorporated a striking stage design dominated by a massive structure, transforming venues into an immersive environment that echoed the album's cosmic themes. This setup allowed audiences to feel as though they were aboard a vessel exploring the unknown, with the band's performance unfolding amid the futuristic architecture. Logistically, the tour relied on Ed Force One, a customized aircraft piloted by vocalist , to ferry the crew and substantial equipment loads across continents. During the 2011 leg, the plane covered 50,000 miles while supporting 29 shows in 26 cities across 13 countries and five continents, enabling efficient global travel and minimizing ground transport delays. Lighting elements featured nine High End Systems SHOWBEAM 2.5 moving heads operated via Wholehog 3 consoles, delivering dynamic illumination that amplified the tour's spectacle across 101 shows in 40 countries. Sound production employed custom EAW arrays, including 72 KF760 modules and 24 flown SB1002 subwoofers, which provided uniform full-range coverage for audiences up to in both arenas and stadiums. This configuration innovated by flying subwoofers to reduce stage bleed and enhance fidelity throughout the venue.

Performances and Setlist

Standard Setlist

The standard setlist for the 2011 leg of World Tour consisted of 17 songs, blending five live debuts from the album The Final Frontier with longstanding fan favorites from Iron Maiden's catalog. This configuration was captured in the band's official live album En Vivo!, recorded on April 10, 2011, at Estadio Nacional in , , serving as a representative document of the tour's core performance structure. The setlist emphasized integration of the new material, with the opening sequence drawing directly from the album to promote its themes of and epic storytelling. The performance typically opened with the album's title track, "Satellite 15... The Final Frontier," a sprawling progressive piece that set a cinematic tone, followed by "El Dorado" and "The Talisman," both new compositions debuting on this tour. Mid-set transitioned to high-energy 1980s hits such as "2 Minutes to Midnight," "Dance of Death," "The Trooper," and "The Evil That Men Do," providing rhythmic anchors and crowd sing-alongs that balanced the newer, more experimental tracks. Further integration included "Coming Home" and the lengthy closer to the main set, "When the Wild Wind Blows," marking the full premiere of five The Final Frontier songs during the tour's second leg. The encore featured classic anthems "Iron Maiden," "The Number of the Beast," "Hallowed Be Thy Name," and "Running Free," delivering a climactic finish rooted in the band's early heavy metal foundations. Standard Setlist (as per En Vivo!, 2011):
  1. Satellite 15...
  2. El Dorado
  3. The Talisman
  4. Coming Home
  5. Dance of Death
  6. Blood Brothers
  7. When the Wild Wind Blows
  8. The Evil That Men Do
  9. The Number of the Beast
  10. Hallowed Be Thy Name
This structure highlighted the tour's promotional focus on while maintaining Iron Maiden's tradition of extended, narrative-driven shows lasting over two hours, with seamless transitions between eras of their discography.

Song Variations and Debuts

The Final Frontier World Tour's setlist evolved significantly across its two legs, reflecting the band's strategy to gradually integrate material from their 15th studio album after its August 2010 release. The 2010 leg, commencing on June 9 in Dallas, Texas, primarily drew from the band's post-reunion catalog (2000 onward), with "El Dorado"—the album's lead single—serving as the sole debut from The Final Frontier. This limited inclusion stemmed from the album's pending launch, allowing the band to test audience reception of the new track while maintaining a focus on established fan favorites to build momentum for the full promotion cycle. In contrast, the 2011 leg introduced a revamped setlist that prominently featured five tracks from The Final Frontier, marking their live debuts during the tour. These included "Satellite 15... The Final Frontier," "The Talisman," "Coming Home," "El Dorado" (now in expanded rotation), and "When the Wild Wind Blows," with the four new tracks—"Satellite 15... The Final Frontier," "The Talisman," "Coming Home," and "When the Wild Wind Blows"—premiering on February 11, 2011, at Moscow's Olympijskiy Stadium to kick off the second phase. This shift enabled fuller album promotion, with "Satellite 15... The Final Frontier" performed 63 times thereafter, emphasizing its role as the tour's thematic opener. The changes were driven by logistical adjustments for varying venue durations and a desire to refresh performances after the greatest-hits-oriented Somewhere Back in Time Tour, ensuring the setlist balanced novelty with crowd energy. (Note: While Reddit is cited here for context on fan discussions of changes, primary verification comes from setlist data.) Regional adaptations further diversified the shows, particularly in during the 2011 leg, where "Blood Brothers" (from 2000's ) was consistently incorporated as a high-energy , resonating with local audiences' enthusiasm for the track. Performed 98 times across the —nearly every show—it appeared in sets like the April 10, 2011, concert at Santiago's Estadio Nacional, where over 50,000 fans joined in, highlighting its cultural fit for South American dates. Similarly, "Fear of the Dark" occasionally shifted positions within the main set, sometimes moving earlier to build tension or later for peak crowd interaction, accommodating time constraints at outdoor festivals versus indoor arenas and responding to on-site fan feedback for optimal pacing. These tweaks, informed by the band's global travel and diverse venue requirements, prevented repetition over the 98 concerts while prioritizing impactful, regionally tailored experiences.

Supporting Acts

2010 Openers

The North American leg of The Final Frontier World Tour in 2010 featured band as the primary supporting act. Announced as very special guests on March 4, 2010, opened for on all dates from June 9 in , to July 20 in , except for June 30 in , , delivering high-energy performances that complemented the headliners' epic production. Dream Theater's sets typically lasted around 50 minutes, focusing on a mix of their progressive rock staples and newer material to energize audiences ahead of Iron Maiden's headline show. The billing created notable synergy between the two bands, with Dream Theater's technical prowess providing a dynamic prelude to Iron Maiden's theatrical heavy metal spectacle, and both acts sharing mutual admiration expressed in pre-tour interviews. No dedicated supporting act accompanied Iron Maiden on the subsequent European leg from July 30 in Dublin to August 28 in Valencia, as those dates were integrated into major festivals like Sonisphere and Wacken Open Air, where lineups included diverse co-headliners and multiple opening performers rather than a single tour-specific opener.

2011 Openers

The 2011 extensions of The Final Frontier World Tour, spanning , , , , and Europe, employed regional supporting acts to enhance the diverse markets visited, with selections reflecting local scenes and logistical considerations. British metal band Rise to Remain opened for several dates across , (including , , and ), Australian stadium shows, and multiple European venues. In the leg from March to April 2011, there were no consistent supporting acts across the stadium shows in countries such as , , , , , and , often relying on local or festival-affiliated performers to open proceedings and connect with regional audiences. The and portion, held from to March 2011, featured varying local acts and festival lineups for the headline dates and Soundwave Festival appearances, in addition to Rise to Remain on select dates. This approach allowed to integrate emerging regional talent, such as Australian rock bands at non-festival venues like the , while festival slots shared billing with acts like at Soundwave events without dedicated opening roles for Maiden's sets. The European finale from late May to August 2011, culminating in the , introduced more structured support for the arena and stadium performances, including Rise to Remain on several continental dates. Australian rockers Airbourne served as openers for all regional dates except , bringing high-energy blues-rock to venues including the SECC in (20 July) and the MEN Arena in (28 July). band supported the Odyssey Arena show (3 August) and the first date (5 August), delivering fast-paced sets that complemented Maiden's epic scale. provided special guest support exclusively for the second show (6 August), adding modern metal intensity to the tour's closing leg. These choices fostered collaborative atmospheres, including shared stage logistics and promotional tie-ins with the press.

Reception and Impact

Critical Reviews

Critical reviews of Iron Maiden's The Final Frontier World Tour praised the band's enduring energy and the tour's ambitious production, which aligned closely with the space-themed aesthetics of the supporting album. At the tour's North American opener in on June 9, 2010, the performance was noted for its explosive start and thematic staging, featuring a ravaged set and ominous lighting that enhanced the science-fiction narrative. Guitarist commented on the audience's enthusiastic response to the longer, more complex new tracks, stating, "These songs are quite long and we thought it might be a bit tricky for the audience, but the response has been fantastic." Similarly, a review of the show highlighted the "palpable energy" and massive stage setup, underscoring the band's ability to maintain high-octane delivery across a two-hour set blending classics and fresh material. Bruce Dickinson's vocal performance drew particular acclaim for its resilience, with critics observing that the frontman delivered with "atomic power" and theatrical flair even after decades in the industry. At the concert on June 14, 2010, Dickinson was lauded for hitting every effortlessly despite the high altitude, demonstrating vocal that outshone performers half his age. Music publications emphasized how his commanding presence sustained the tour's intensity, contributing to the overall spectacle without signs of fatigue. However, some critiques pointed to predictability in the setlist, particularly during the leg. A review of the shows in on August 5–6, 2011, acknowledged the band's proficiency but noted a lack of evolution in their formulaic approach, stating that had "lost none of their potency" yet adhered closely to a "basic recipe" unchanged over thirty years, which occasionally led to a sense of familiarity bordering on repetition. While the inclusion of new songs like "" was well-received, the heavy reliance on established hits was seen by some as limiting innovation in performances.

Commercial Success

The Final Frontier World Tour achieved significant commercial success, with reporting a box office gross of $53.5 million from 46 shows in , during which the band sold 718,313 tickets and averaged over 15,000 attendees per night. Across the full spanning 98 performances in 36 , overall attendance exceeded 2 million fans, underscoring Iron Maiden's enduring global draw in the genre. Notable high-grossing dates highlighted the tour's market strength, including two sold-out shows at London's on August 5 and 6, 2011, which collectively generated $4.3 million from 31,813 tickets sold. These performances exemplified the tour's ability to fill large-capacity venues, contributing to its ranking at No. 53 on Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Tours of 2011. The tour's timing aligned closely with the release of Iron Maiden's fifteenth studio album, , propelling it to No. 1 on charts in 28 countries shortly after the tour's start in June 2010. This chart dominance, the band's highest international debut to date, reflected the tour's promotional impact on album sales and reinforced Iron Maiden's commercial viability into the .

Live Recordings

En Vivo! Release

En Vivo! is a live album and concert video by Iron Maiden, captured during their Final Frontier World Tour. The recording took place at Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile, on April 10, 2011, in front of over 50,000 fans. Filmed using 22 HD cameras and an octocam by Banger Films and directed by Andy Matthews, the project was produced by Kevin Shirley to showcase the band's high-energy performance and elaborate stage production. The video and accompanying double audio album feature a 17-track setlist that closely mirrors the tour's standard performance, emphasizing tracks from the 2010 album alongside classic material. Released on Blu-ray and two-DVD set on March 26, 2012, in and March 27 in by ( in the ), the package runs approximately two hours for the main footage. The audio-only double CD followed on March 23, 2012, internationally. A bonus disc accompanies the video releases, containing an 88-minute documentary titled "Behind The Beast." This feature provides in-depth behind-the-scenes access, including interviews with band members and crew, as well as footage of the band's customized , Ed Force One, piloted by vocalist during the tour. Commercially, En Vivo! achieved strong performance, debuting at number one on DVD and Blu-ray charts in several countries, including Australia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the UK Music Video Chart.

Additional Media

The Final Frontier World Tour generated a range of supplementary media beyond the primary live recordings, encompassing promotional videos, official photography, and limited broadcasts that documented the band's global performances and behind-the-scenes activities. Iron Maiden released several short promotional clips on their official website and YouTube channel, featuring highlights such as the mascot Eddie emerging onstage during the opening show in Dallas on June 9, 2010, to build excitement for the tour's launch. These videos often included snippets of live performances, travel montages, and band commentary to engage fans throughout the 2010 and 2011 legs. Tour diary-style content was also produced and shared via the band's online platforms, offering glimpses into the logistics of the production, including stage setup and crew preparations, as well as interviews with members discussing the integration of new material from the album . This footage was updated periodically during the tour to reflect ongoing developments, such as adaptations to setlists and regional highlights, fostering a sense of immediacy for remote audiences. Official photographs, capturing onstage moments, crowd interactions, and backstage scenes from venues across , , and , were regularly posted on the band's site, providing visual documentation of the tour's scale and energy. Television coverage included a broadcast of performance highlights from Iron Maiden's headline set at the Sonisphere Festival in Knebworth, England, on August 1, 2010, aired on Scuzz TV as part of a festival recap program. Fan-recorded footage from various shows, including multi-camera compilations shared on platforms like YouTube, further extended the tour's reach, with early examples from the North American leg gaining traction online shortly after concerts. These unofficial videos, often edited into full-set reconstructions, complemented the official releases by preserving alternate angles and audience perspectives from the 92-date itinerary.

Tour Dates and Data

Full Itinerary

The Final Frontier World Tour consisted of 98 concerts spanning from June 9, 2010, to August 6, 2011, across , , , , , and other regions, performed in a variety of arenas, amphitheaters, stadiums, and festivals. The tour attracted over 2 million attendees across 98 shows in 36 countries. Venues ranged from indoor arenas like in (capacity approximately 20,000) to large outdoor stadiums such as in (capacity approximately 65,000). Several shows were sold out, including the performances at Place in on June 24, 2010, and Rexall Place in on June 26, 2010. A scheduled appearance at the in , , on June 21, 2011, was cancelled due to logistical problems with the local promoter. The complete itinerary is presented below:
DateCityCountryVenue
June 9, 2010Dallas, TXUSASuperPages.com Center
June 11, 2010The Woodlands, TXUSACynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
June 12, 2010San Antonio, TXUSAAT&T Center
June 14, 2010Greenwood Village, COUSAFiddlers Green
June 16, 2010Albuquerque, NMUSAJournal Pavilion
June 17, 2010Phoenix, AZUSACricket Pavilion
June 19, 2010San Bernardino, CAUSASan Manuel Amphitheater
June 20, 2010Concord, CAUSASleep Train Amphitheater
June 22, 2010Auburn, WAUSAWhite River Amphitheater
June 24, 2010Vancouver, BCCanadaGeneral Motors Place (sold out)
June 26, 2010Edmonton, ABCanadaRexall Place (sold out)
June 27, 2010Calgary, ABCanadaSaddledome
June 29, 2010Saskatoon, SKCanadaCredit Union Centre
June 30, 2010Winnipeg, MBCanadaMTS Centre
July 3, 2010Toronto, ONCanadaMolson Amphitheatre
July 6, 2010Ottawa, ONCanadaBluesfest (festival)
July 7, 2010Montreal, QCCanadaBell Centre
July 9, 2010Quebec City, QCCanadaFestival d'été de Québec (festival)
July 11, 2010Holmdel, NJUSAPNC Bank Arts Center
July 12, 2010New York City, NYUSAMadison Square Garden (arena, cap. ~20,000)
July 14, 2010Burgettstown, PAUSAPost-Gazette Pavilion
July 15, 2010Cuyahoga Falls, OHUSABlossom Music Center
July 17, 2010Clarkston, MIUSADTE Energy Music Theatre
July 18, 2010Tinley Park, ILUSAFirst Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
July 20, 2010Bristow, VAUSAJiffy Lube Live
July 30, 2010DublinIrelandThe O2
August 1, 2010KnebworthEnglandSonisphere Festival (festival)
August 5, 2010WackenGermanyWacken Open Air (festival)
August 7, 2010ArlandastadSwedenSonisphere Festival (festival)
August 8, 2010PoriFinlandSonisphere Festival (festival)
August 11, 2010BergenNorwayKoengen (festival)
August 14, 2010BudapestHungarySziget Festival (festival)
August 15, 2010Cluj-NapocaRomaniaPolus Center (festival)
August 17, 2010CodroipoItalyVilla Manin (festival)
August 19, 2010HasseltBelgiumPukkelpop (festival)
August 21, 2010ValenciaSpainMarina Sur (festival)
February 11, 2011MoscowRussiaOlympic Stadium
February 15, 2011KallangSingaporeIndoor Stadium
February 17, 2011JakartaIndonesiaAncol Dreamland/Carnival Beach (festival)
February 20, 2011BaliIndonesiaGaruda Wisnu Kencana (festival)
February 23, 2011MelbourneAustraliaHisense Arena
February 24, 2011SydneyAustraliaSydney Entertainment Centre
February 26, 2011BrisbaneAustraliaSoundwave Festival, RNA Showgrounds (festival)
February 27, 2011SydneyAustraliaSoundwave Festival, Olympic Park (festival)
March 4, 2011MelbourneAustraliaSoundwave Festival, Melbourne Showgrounds (festival)
March 5, 2011AdelaideAustraliaSoundwave Festival, Bonython Park (festival)
March 7, 2011PerthAustraliaSoundwave Festival, Claremont Showground (festival)
March 10, 2011SeoulSouth KoreaOlympic Gymnastics Arena
March 12, 2011TokyoJapanSaitama Super Arena
March 13, 2011TokyoJapanSaitama Super Arena
March 17, 2011MonterreyMexicoTeatro Banamex
March 18, 2011Mexico CityMexicoForo Sol (stadium, cap. ~65,000)
March 20, 2011BogotáColombiaSimón Bolívar Park (stadium)
March 23, 2011LimaPeruEstadio Nacional (stadium)
March 26, 2011São PauloBrazilEstádio do Morumbi (stadium)
March 28, 2011Rio de JaneiroBrazilHSBC Arena
March 30, 2011BrasíliaBrazilEstádio Mané Garrincha (stadium)
April 1, 2011BelémBrazilParque de Exposições (outdoor)
April 3, 2011RecifeBrazilCentro de Convenções de Pernambuco (outdoor)
April 5, 2011CuritibaBrazilExpotrade
April 8, 2011Buenos AiresArgentinaEstadio José Amalfitani (stadium)
April 10, 2011SantiagoChileEstadio Nacional (stadium)
April 14, 2011San JuanPuerto RicoColiseo José Miguel Agrelot
April 16, 2011Sunrise, FLUSABankAtlantic Center
April 17, 2011Tampa, FLUSASt. Pete Times Forum
May 28, 2011FrankfurtGermanyFesthalle
May 29, 2011OberhausenGermanyKönig Pilsener Arena
May 31, 2011MunichGermanyOlympiahalle
June 2, 2011HamburgGermanyO2 World
June 3, 2011BerlinGermanyO2 World
June 7, 2011StuttgartGermanyHanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
June 8, 2011ArnhemNetherlandsGelredome
June 10, 2011WarsawPolandSonisphere Festival (festival)
June 11, 2011PragueCzech RepublicO2 Arena (Sonisphere)
June 13, 2011NickelsdorfAustriaNova Rock Festival (festival)
June 17, 2011AthensGreeceTerra Vibe Park (festival)
June 19, 2011IstanbulTurkeyHezarfen Airport (Sonisphere, festival)
June 24, 2011BaselSwitzerlandSonisphere Festival (festival)
June 25, 2011ImolaItalySonisphere Festival (festival)
June 27, 2011ParisFrancePalais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
June 28, 2011ParisFrancePalais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
June 30, 2011RoskildeDenmarkRoskilde Festival (festival)
July 1, 2011GothenburgSwedenUllevi Stadium (stadium)
July 3, 2011WerchterBelgiumRock Werchter (festival)
July 6, 2011OsloNorwayTelenor Arena
July 8, 2011HelsinkiFinlandOlympic Stadium (stadium)
July 10, 2011Saint PetersburgRussiaSKK
July 14, 2011FaroPortugalFaro Motorcycle Rally (festival)
July 16, 2011MadridSpainSonisphere Festival (festival)
July 20, 2011GlasgowScotlandScottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
July 21, 2011AberdeenScotlandAberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre
July 23, 2011NewcastleEnglandMetro Radio Arena
July 24, 2011SheffieldEnglandMotorpoint Arena
July 27, 2011NottinghamEnglandCapital FM Arena
July 28, 2011ManchesterEnglandManchester Evening News Arena
July 31, 2011BirminghamEnglandNational Indoor Arena
August 1, 2011CardiffWalesMotorpoint Arena
August 3, 2011BelfastNorthern IrelandOdyssey Arena
August 5, 2011LondonEnglandThe O2
August 6, 2011LondonEnglandThe O2

Box Office Scores

The Final Frontier World Tour achieved substantial box office success, with Billboard reporting key financial metrics from its major legs as of early 2011. The 2010 North American portion, comprising 25 shows, generated $10.2 million in gross revenue, selling approximately 180,000 tickets (figures for reported shows). In 2011, the European leg, with 37 performances, earned $7.8 million, attracting over 500,000 attendees (figures for reported shows). This segment proved the tour's highest-earning, averaging $173,000 per show (based on reported data). Overall, the tour's totals marked a 20% increase in gross revenue compared to the preceding World Tour (2008–2009).

Personnel

Band Members

The Final Frontier World Tour featured Iron Maiden's longstanding six-piece lineup, which had remained unchanged since Adrian Smith's return in 1999. This core group provided the musical foundation for the 98-show trek supporting the band's 15th studio album. The performing musicians included on lead vocals, Dave Murray, , and on guitars, Steve Harris on bass guitar, and on drums. Gers, who first joined the band in 1990 as Smith's replacement before the dual-guitar setup was reestablished, contributed to the ensemble's signature three-guitar attack and long-term stability. No lineup alterations occurred during the tour, underscoring the group's enduring chemistry that dated back over two decades by 2010. In addition to his onstage role, Dickinson enhanced the tour's thematic elements by piloting the band's customized , dubbed Ed Force One, for key legs of the journey, including the "Round The World In 66 Days" segment; he often incorporated aviation stories from these flights into his performance banter, tying into the album's motifs.

Production Crew

The production crew for Iron Maiden's The Final Frontier World Tour encompassed a dedicated team of managers and technical specialists who managed the tour's complex logistics, including the use of the customized known as Ed Force One for transporting the band, crew, and equipment across 36 countries. , the band's long-time manager, coordinated overall operations, support acts, and strategic decisions such as the 2011 leg's global routing. Key crew members included tour managers Ian Day and , production manager Patrick Ledwith—who oversaw stage setup, technical rehearsals, and on-site execution to support the tour's elaborate set design and —stage manager Bill Conte, and monitor engineer Steve "Gonzo" Smith. The flight operations for Ed Force One were led by , who piloted the aircraft on multiple legs, with additional crew handling cargo logistics for the band's gear amid the tour's demanding schedule of 98 shows. Doug Hall, the front-of-house sound engineer, deployed a custom EAW system—comprising over 100 speakers flown above the stage—to deliver the band's signature high-volume, clarity-focused audio, adapting to diverse venue acoustics from arenas to amphitheaters. designer Rob Coleman crafted the tour's atmospheric visuals, integrating thematic elements inspired by the album's motif with dynamic LED and moving head fixtures for immersive effects during key songs like "The Final Frontier" and "."

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