Steve Harris just doesn’t know how to sit still, does he? While Iron Maiden keep conquering stadiums the size of small countries, his side-project British Lion are about to hit the road on their biggest UK tour to date – and it all wraps up with a proper homecoming at none other than London’s legendary Cart & Horses, aka “the birthplace of Iron Maiden.” 🎸🔥
The Tour That Roars 🛣️
The new run sees British Lion playing a string of dates across the UK, from sweaty clubs to mid-sized halls, proving once again that Harris loves nothing more than being eyeball-to-eyeball with the fans. No pyro, no inflatable Eddies – just gritty rock ‘n’ roll the old-school way.
The setlist is expected to be stacked with tunes from their self-titled debut and 2020’s The Burning, alongside a few tasty surprises. If you’ve ever seen Harris with British Lion before, you’ll know he belts around the stage like it’s still 1980 in the Ruskin Arms. 🕺⚡
Cart & Horses Finale 🍻
Ending the tour with a multi-night residency at Cart & Horses is more than just a cheeky booking – it’s history circling back. This East End boozer is where Maiden cut their teeth back in the day, and Harris bringing British Lion here is like a full-circle pint with destiny. Imagine ordering a lager while one of the most iconic bassists in metal thunders away just feet from the bar. Only in London, mun!
Why This Matters 🤘
- It shows Harris’s undying love for the grassroots – the bloke could be lounging on a private jet, but instead he’s lugging gear into pubs.
- Cart & Horses will sell out faster than you can say Phantom of the Opera. Expect carnage trying to bag tickets.
- For fans, it’s a rare chance to experience Maiden’s heartbeat in a tiny, sweaty, beer-soaked room.
Dates & Tickets 🎟️
The full list of tour dates is expected to drop this week, with tickets flying out soon after. If you’re aiming for Cart & Horses… good luck, butt. You’ll need the reflexes of Nicko McBrain behind the kit to nab one.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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