Never been to a big metal show? Here’s how to get through Sunday 8 November in one piece, and enjoy it.

Iron Maiden are back at Spark Arena on Sunday 8 November with Megadeth as special guests on the Run For Your Lives World Tour. Saturday 7 November has already sold out. For plenty of people in that crowd, this will be their first proper rock concert, so here’s what to know before you go.

A vibrant concert stage featuring dramatic lighting and pyrotechnics, with a large backdrop displaying a fierce battle scene.

Know what you’re walking into

This is the band’s 50th anniversary tour, and the set is built around songs from their first nine albums. Their manager has named “Hallowed Be Thy Name”, “Run To The Hills”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “The Trooper”, “The Number of the Beast”, “Killers”, “Powerslave” and “2 Minutes to Midnight”, plus the epics “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son”. The New Zealand shows come at the very end of the tour, so some of these songs will be played for the last time.

Megadeth are also on their final world tour, so the opening act is a bit of a farewell too. Get there for them.

Before you leave home

  • Tickets: check Ticketmaster for remaining Sunday tickets, and only buy from official sites. If a deal for the sold-out Saturday looks too good to be true, it is.
  • Earplugs: buy a pair of proper concert earplugs. Arena metal is loud, and plugs take the harshness off without killing the music. Foam ones from a chemist are better than nothing.
  • Eat first: arena food is slow and pricey, and you don’t want to be queuing during a song you’ve waited years for.
  • Check the rules: look at Spark Arena’s website for door times, set times and what you can bring in. Details can change, so don’t rely on a friend’s memory of a previous show.
  • Wear closed shoes you can stand in for hours. Leave the white shoes at home.
A performer dressed as a monster with wild hair and a leather jacket, standing on stage with dramatic lighting.

On the night

  • Phones: the band has asked fans to keep phones in their pockets, especially in standing areas, so everyone can enjoy the show in the moment. One song’s worth of video is plenty. You’ll remember it better if you look up.
  • Arrive early: the doors-to-headliner gap is long, and the opening act is worth seeing.
  • Look after yourself: drink water, and if you’re standing near the front and it gets too crushed, step back. Nobody will judge you.
  • Look after others: if someone near you falls or looks unwell, help them up and get a staff member.
  • Eddie’s Pop-up Dive Bar: it makes its New Zealand debut, serving Trooper Beer with exclusive tour merch.
  • VIP: the Trooper VIP Experience is available at all venues if you want to go all in.

Getting home

Plan this before the show, not after. Decide where you’re meeting your ride or which train or bus you’re catching, because arena exits are packed and surge pricing is real. Agree on a meeting spot with your group in case you lose each other.

A rock band performs on stage with dramatic lighting and a large backdrop featuring an iconic character. The lead singer, wearing a leather jacket, passionately sings into a microphone while holding a microphone stand. A guitarist plays beside him.

Image credit John McMurtrie

Discover more from YouthHub

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Unknown's avatar

Published by Stephen

Director, Head of Media @ youthhub.blog ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ https://stephensun.nz/

Leave a comment!