Bruce Dickinson Kicks Off His Tour in Anaheim

Heather Vandemark
Aug 25
3 min read

Bruce Dickinson kicked off his The Mandrake Project Live 2025 tour in Anaheim on Friday night. I’ve been an Iron Maiden fan since the 80s, but just recently started listening to more of his solo music. After reading his autobiography, "What Does This Button Do?”, I became even more interested in his work. The man is absolutely brilliant! I was beyond excited for the show and the opportunity to photograph this rock legend at House of Blues Anaheim, my favorite venue in the OC. I parked my car and joined the sea of Iron Maiden shirts heading into the venue.

The floor was already packed, the rail lined with smiling faces waiting for a change in lighting or overhead music to stop, the signal that the show was about to start. Just one opening band on this tour, which is really nice for us older folk. Combustion 96 actually started as a one man studio project in 2015. Their debut EP, First Wave, was released in 2016 and featured guest vocalists including Tommy Vext (Bad Wolves, Solo), Frankie Palmeri (Emmure), and Corey Bennett (Bermuda). They gained a lot of popularity and started playing live in 2023. Current line up is Jon Howard (Threat Signal) on vocals, Chase Bryant (Warbringer, Soulfly) on bass, Philip Näslund (Bruce Dickinson) on guitar, Niklas Rubensson (Guitar/Songwriter), Yoyo Bianchi (Drums) and Ben Lechuga (Fretless Guitar). They were great and a perfect band to open up for Bruce Dickinson

There was a lot of energy in the crowd waiting for the band to take the stage, some started a “Bruce” chant. I like to watch the fans as their excitement builds waiting in between bands. In the darkness I see the band take the stage. There's a silhouette of a woman with big hair and a bass guitar, it’s Tanya O’Callaghan! I did not realize she’s on tour with them. If I had a girl crush, it would be on her. She’s amazing and so fun to watch perform, especially with her gorgeous hair. Also, taking the stage Dave Moreno (drums), Mistheria (keyboards), Philip Näslund (guitarist), Chris Declercq (Guitarist), and then Bruce walks out and the crowd loses their minds. There were two different young guys, maybe 20 somethings on the rail that knew every single word to every song, pretty impressive!

Bruce teased us with possibly playing a Maiden song, not any song, but a song never played live at any Maiden show before. The fans were shouting their guesses and my mind is going through Iron Maiden’s entire discography in 30 seconds, what have they not played live. People yelled “Trooper”, “Wasted Time”, "Aces High”, but those songs have all been played live. It was “Flash of the Blade” off the Powerslave album released in 1984. Another song that made its live debut was “Shadow of the Gods” off The Mandrake Project album. One thing I miss about shows from the 80s is solos. So it was awesome when we got a drum solo that turned into a jam session with Bruce hitting drums next to Dave’s kit. Bruce Dickinson is 67 years and still has the energy and voice of his 20 something self. I’m in awe of this man’s music, his writing, and his countless accomplishments throughout his life.

This was an amazing show that you do not want to miss. Even if you don’t know all his solo work, he’s an incredible performer with an amazing band. You will be wowed! The tour will end in Los Angeles, so if you missed this one in Anaheim, I strongly suggest you grab a ticket for that one.

Remaining Dates on The Mandrake Project Tour:

Aug. 26 - Albuquerque, NM - Revel

Aug. 28 - Houston, TX - House of Blues

Aug. 29 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues

Aug. 31 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma*

Sept. 2 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues

Sept. 4 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Revolution

Sept. 7 - São Paulo, Brazil - The Town*

Sept. 10 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Paramount

Sept. 11 - Boston, MA - House of Blues

Sept. 13 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE

Sept. 14 - Silver Spring, MD Fillmore Silver Spring