Iron Maiden and Guns N’ Roses Open Power Trip Festival with Raging Sets
Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden – Story by Scarlett Hunter, photo by Ken Settle
Watch footage from the opening night of Power Trip Festival in Indio, California
The first-ever Power Trip festival set off Friday evening (Oct. 6) in Indio, California, on the same grounds where Coachella takes place each year. This lineup is nothing like Coachella, though. The three-day festival boasts a handful of the most legendary hard rock and heavy metal bands and artists in the world.
Hordes of rock and metal fans crowded the Empire Polo Club for the festivities on Friday. The first night’s performers were among the biggest draws for the event: British metal band Iron Maiden and California hard rockers Guns N’ Roses. It’s rare to be able to see both of these bands on the same night, so having a co-headlining performance from each was certainly a treat.
Iron Maiden began their performance around 6:55 p.m., which was 10 minutes later than their initial 6:45 set time. Watching video footage form the performance, the band stuck close to the setlist from their current “Future Past World Tour” tour, which is heavy with songs off Maiden’s newest studio album, 2021’s “Senjutsu,” as well as their 1986 album, “Somewhere in Time.” Honestly, it’s likely that fans were expected a different set than the current tour, one packed with hits, but Iron Maiden still brought a fiery performance for the books.
At least Iron Maiden worked a few classics into the set. They played “Fear of the Dark” and “The Trooper” amid newer cuts. So, fans at least got some classic Maiden. Check out our list of some of Iron Maiden’s greatest songs here.
Next up, Guns N’ Roses were scheduled to take the stage at 9:25 p.m. but didn’t get up there until 10 p.m. Don’t worry, though. Fans got their money’s worth, as Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan and the crew performed nearly 30 songs and kept the party going until about 1 a.m. Unlike the Iron Maiden set, Guns N’ Roses’ performance featured all the hits, including “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City.” Also, Rose dedicated the group’s famed cover of “Live and Let Die” to Sir Paul McCartney, who actually first released the song 50 years ago with his band, Wings. After Guns N’ Roses set, fireworks filled the atmosphere, making this a truly picturesque end to a rock and metal night.
As for the remaining Power Trips days, on Saturday evening (Oct. 7), AC/DC will perform their first concert in seven years, and Judas Priest will fill in for the originally scheduled Ozzy Osbourne. On Sunday (Oct. 8), Metallica and Tool will close out the event. Find more information on Power Trip here. Watch footage of the opening night’s performances below.
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