Iron Maiden fans, this is not a drill.
The stage times for EddFest have officially been revealed, and with the massive Iron Maiden celebration taking place this Friday and Saturday, the countdown is now firmly in “cancel all plans, polish the battle vest and prepare for Eddie” territory.
Taking place at Knebworth, EddFest is set to be a full-blown celebration of all things Maiden — the music, the history, the fans, the madness, the merch, the memories, and of course, the big metal mascot himself stomping around like he owns the place.
Spoiler: he absolutely does.
🧟 Friday At EddFest — Maidenville Gets The Party Started
Friday is all about setting the scene, warming up the crowd, and turning Maidenville into a heavy metal playground.
Expect fans arriving from all over the place, flags flying, pints raised, jackets covered in patches, and enough “Up The Irons!” chants to make the local wildlife file a noise complaint.
The Friday line-up gives fans a proper taste of Maiden history, with acts connected to the wider Iron Maiden world taking to the stage across the day.
🎤 Friday Stage Times
Tony Moore’s Awake — 15:00 – 15:40
Gypsy’s Kiss — 16:10 – 16:50
Airforce — 17:20 – 18:00
Maiden United — 18:30 – 19:10
Stray — 19:40 – 20:20
Blaze Bayley — 20:50 – 21:50
Hair Metal Glamageddon — 22:20 – 23:00
Blaze Bayley appearing on the bill feels like a properly tidy moment for long-time Maiden fans. His chapter in the Maiden story remains a major part of the band’s journey, and seeing him involved in a weekend like this just feels right.
Friday is not just a warm-up — it is a celebration in its own right.
🔥 Saturday At EddFest — The Big One
Then comes Saturday.
The day where Knebworth becomes a cathedral of riffs, Eddie becomes everyone’s spiritual leader, and thousands of metalheads prepare to shout every word like their lungs are being judged by Bruce Dickinson himself.
The Saturday bill is stacked, butt.
You have The Almighty kicking things into gear, Airbourne bringing their usual full-throttle rock ’n’ roll chaos, The Hu adding something thunderous and unique, The Darkness bringing sparkle, falsetto and glam-rock ridiculousness, and then… the main event.
Iron. Bloody. Maiden.
🎸 Saturday Stage Times
The Almighty — 15:05 – 15:45
Airbourne — 16:20 – 17:00
The Hu — 17:35 – 18:15
The Darkness — 18:50 – 19:40
Iron Maiden — 20:15
That 20:15 slot is the one, mun.
The moment the field erupts. The moment the air changes. The moment every Maiden fan within shouting distance knows they are about to witness something massive.
🏰 Knebworth, Eddie And 50 Years Of Iron Maiden
EddFest is not just another gig slapped onto the calendar. This is a celebration of 50 years of Iron Maiden, and that alone makes it feel absolutely huge.
Maiden are one of those bands that do not just have fans — they have a worldwide army. A tribe. A family of denim, leather, flags, tour shirts, Eddie tattoos and people who can name every live album faster than most people can order a Greggs sausage roll.
And Knebworth? That is a legendary setting for a legendary band.
It is the sort of place where big rock history happens, and this weekend looks set to add another massive chapter to that book.
🍻 More Than Just The Music
EddFest is expected to be a full weekend experience, with fans soaking up Maidenville, Eddie-themed attractions, special displays, food, drink, merch, and enough heavy metal nostalgia to make your wallet nervous.
It is the kind of event where you go for the bands but end up spending half the day pointing at things going, “LOOK AT THAT!” like an excited kid in a haunted guitar shop.
And honestly? That is exactly how an Iron Maiden celebration should feel.
Big. Loud. Silly. Historic. Emotional. Absolutely rammed with character.
⚠️ Keep An Eye On Updates
As always with big outdoor events, stage times can change, so fans heading to EddFest should keep an eye on official updates before travelling and while on site.
But for now, the plan is clear.
Friday gets the party started.
Saturday brings the thunder.
And when Iron Maiden hit the stage at 20:15, Knebworth is going to absolutely erupt.
EddFest is nearly here, Eddie is waiting in the wings, and Iron Maiden fans are about to have one hell of a weekend.
Up the Irons, butt. 🤘🔥
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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