LISTEN: Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain on pre-gig nerves and a new job offer!

Speaking to Planet Rock’s Paul Anthony backstage at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena last night (4th May), the ever genial Nicko admitted the opening European tour dates in Belgium and Germany put “a lot of pressure on the old nervous system.”

Asked by Paul how the European tour is going so far, Nicko said: “The first one (in Belgium) was a little nerve-wracking as we hadn’t played to a live audience in six months so it’s always… the adrenaline’s pumping through the veins and you’re like ‘oh gosh, I hope I don’t mess this bit up, oh I did, ok!’ Y’know, but you just get on with it.

“Obviously, it’s just getting back into the motion of the show, you can rehearse all you like sitting in a room going through the set but as you soon as you sit and get on the stage it’s a totally different ballgame.

“You’ve got like 20,000 kids, or 10,000 kids, or 10, don’t matter (how many), sitting outside watching you there’s a lot of pressure on the old nervous system… but stress can be good for you too. It can be good stress because you’re up there doing something you love to do but there’s always the professionalism that we all feel about y’know; we want to do a great show primarily for us individually as a band and then for the kids.”

Nicko continued: “There’s a lot of pressure on those first few shows. It took us a couple of run throughs and by the time we got to Frankfurt at the second Oberhausen (show) we were pretty much there. So, it’s great. And now being here at Nottingham tonight y’know it’s the beginning of our British tour as our fans will know, and for those that don’t we’re starting our tour tonight in Nottingham! (laughs).

“It’s the first British tour since 2010 so we’re all really stoked to be on terra firma and to get going. Watch this space, we’re coming to a town near you too.”

You can listen to Nicko’s full interview below where Paul also asked him whether he fancies a new job following his excellent New Years Knees Up show on Planet Rock last December.

Iron Maiden triumphed at their first UK arena show in six years last night playing a blistering 15-song set that was packed with trademark theatrics.

Read the full gig report including photos, live video footage, the setlist and details of Planet Rock’s journey on The Bus of Souls right here.

Iron Maiden continue their European tour at Dublin 3Arena on Saturday night before playing Manchester Arena on Monday.

Tickets to most shows are completely sold out but there are tickets to certain dates from Planet Rock Tickets now. The UK tour touches down at the following venues:

MAY 2017
Manchester Arena – Mon 8th
Sheffield Arena – Wed 10th
Leeds First Direct Arena – Thu 11th
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena – Sun 14th
Glasgow SSE Hydro – Tue 16th - SOLD OUT
Aberdeen GE Arena – Wed 17th
Liverpool Echo Arena – Sat 20th - SOLD OUT
Birmingham Barclaycard Arena – Sun 21st - SOLD OUT
Cardiff Motorpoint Arena – Wed 24th - SOLD OUT
London O2 Arena – Sat 27th - SOLD OUT
London O2 Arena – Sun 28th - SOLD OUT

PHOTO GALLERY: 18 stunning photos of Iron Maiden's opening UK show in Nottingham