Iron Maiden announce Blaze Bayley as Friday headliner at EDDFEST
Rockfiend • 31 March 2026
**PLAYING AN IRON MAIDEN SET FROM HIS ERA**
.IRON MAIDEN’S highly anticipated EDDFEST weekend this summer has just got even bigger with the announcement that Blaze Bayley, who fronted the band from 1994 to 1999, will be headlining the Friday night Maidenville stage. He is the latest name to be revealed, as part of the all-encompassing celebration of IRON MAIDEN’s 50th Anniversary that will be taking place on the iconic Knebworth site.
“I’m so excited to be invited to headline Friday night at EDDFEST, celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden,” says Blaze. “I am so proud of my two albums with the band and I'm really looking forward to playing some of the songs that we recorded together. Can't wait to see you all at the hallowed grounds of Knebworth!”
Fans can expect to hear Blaze Bayley and his band deliver a powerful set of songs from The X Factor and Virtual XI, the albums he released during his time as Iron Maiden’s lead singer. Blaze co-wrote some of the songs on those albums with band founder Steve Harris, and Friday night’s Maidenville stage has been personally curated by Steve Harris to showcase many elements of his musical career.
Steve has also invited Gypsy’s Kiss, the band he formed in 1974 with singer and guitarist, David Smith, to perform on the Maidenville stage on Friday night too. As the very first band Steve Harris ever played with they were an instrumental part of Steve’s journey to form Iron Maiden a year later and create one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.
Steve Harris says, “Having the opportunity to put together our very own festival at Knebworth, and celebrate 50 years of Iron Maiden, has given me a chance to bring together friends past and present and create a really special weekend for the fans.
I’m very pleased that Blaze is able to join us and perform some of the songs we wrote and recorded in the 90s. He has been a big part of Iron Maiden’s career and I know the fans will be really excited to see him on stage at EDDFEST. It’s also great to have Gypsy’s Kiss playing with us at Knebworth too. They were a big part of my musical heritage and it’s really exciting to have them play at the Maidenville stage.”
FRIDAY NIGHT ON THE MAIDENVILLE SECOND STAGE
BLAZE BAYLEY
Stray
Maiden United
Airforce
Gypsy’s Kiss
Tony Moore’s Awake
+
Hair Metal Glamageddon
SATURDAY NIGHT ON THE MAIN STAGE
IRON MAIDEN
THE DARKNESS
The Hu
Airbourne
The Almighty
EDDFEST is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience what constitutes Iron Maiden’s idea of a fun-filled 48 hours of entertainment, themed areas and bars, experiences, live music and more. Inside EDDFEST fans will be able to explore the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience, a walk-through display of stage props and relics, inspired by Sunday Times Bestseller book Infinite Dreams. This is an unprecedented and completely unique opportunity to view Maiden relics up close and personal.
EDDFEST is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience what constitutes Iron Maiden’s idea of a fun-filled 48 hours of entertainment, themed areas and bars, experiences, live music and more. Inside EDDFEST fans will be able to explore the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience, a walk-through display of stage props and relics, inspired by Sunday Times Bestseller book Infinite Dreams. This is an unprecedented and completely unique opportunity to view Maiden relics up close and personal.
The EDDFEST Festival starts from 2pm on Friday with camping included for both nights. Various parts of the Maidenville site will be open to weekend campers throughout Friday afternoon and into the early hours of Saturday morning, including the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience.
Friday Night at Eddfest is all about fun before the big day. Campers will be able to gain early access to the site and experiences, including first access to the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience. They will also enjoy a whole evening of entertainment on the Maidenville stage featuring the unique mix of special acts with a connection to Maiden.
Saturday sees the opening of the Main Arena, which includes Eddie’s Extended Emporium, the Trooper VIP area and a range of interactive experiences. Saturday-only tickets also allow access to Maidenville, where fans can join in the fun at the greatest Eddie’s Dive Bar yet, enjoy the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience, take part in the Unfair Funfair, featuring rides and demented Eddie-themed Funfair Games, plus explore Eddie’s Emporium, with even more surprises to explore throughout the site.
It all culminates with the main stage performances on the Saturday, featuring an exceptional supporting line-up, ahead of Iron Maiden’s show-stopping RUN FOR YOUR LIVES performance.
EDDFEST is going to be a truly exceptional weekend for each and every Maiden fan in attendance – an unforgettable chance to be part of a fully themed Festival experience, celebrating IRON MAIDEN’s spectacular fifty year career… and the last chance to see them in the UK until at least 2028.
EDDFEST is going to be a truly exceptional weekend for each and every Maiden fan in attendance – an unforgettable chance to be part of a fully themed Festival experience, celebrating IRON MAIDEN’s spectacular fifty year career… and the last chance to see them in the UK until at least 2028.