The acoustic Iron Maiden project will make its Australian debut in April and May 2027, with original guitarist Dennis Stratton joining the lineup for three shows and sharing stories from the band’s formative years in special audience Q&A sessions.
Maiden uniteD will make their Australian debut in April and May 2027, bringing their acoustic reinterpretations of Iron Maiden songs to Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne, with original Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton joining the touring lineup. Stratton, who played on Iron Maiden’s landmark self-titled 1980 debut album, will also host special audience Q&A sessions, offering fans first-hand recollections of the band’s early years.
The three-show Australian visit will give local audiences their first opportunity to experience Maiden uniteD’s distinctive approach to the Iron Maiden catalogue. Rather than reproduce the original heavy metal arrangements, the project takes familiar songs into acoustic territory, reshaping the material through different instrumentation, arrangements and vocal interpretations.
For Stratton, the tour provides an opportunity to revisit the music that established Iron Maiden as one of Britain’s most influential heavy metal bands. His contribution to the original album included playing on songs that became central to the band’s early identity. After departing Iron Maiden, Stratton continued his career with bands including Lionheart and Praying Mantis, maintaining his connection to the British heavy metal scene.
Maiden uniteD was founded by Dutch musician Joey Bruers as a one-off performance for the Dutch Iron Maiden fan club. What began as a special acoustic tribute developed into an ongoing international project, attracting musicians from different parts of the rock and metal community.
The project has released five studio albums alongside multiple live recordings and has performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, South America and Japan. More than 40 musicians have contributed to its recordings and performances since its formation.
In 2025, Maiden uniteD celebrated its 15th anniversary with the European 15 Trooper Salutes tour. The following year brought the release of the album 1980, a significant year in Iron Maiden’s history, alongside a performance at EDDFEST at Knebworth as part of the celebrations marking Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary. The appearance was by personal invitation from Iron Maiden.
The Australian tour brings together an international and Australian lineup. Bruers remains on bass, while Stratton contributes guitar and vocals. Australian musicians Mark Kelson of The Eternal handles guitar and vocals, with Mike Zoias, formerly of Transcending Mortality and Numidia, on lead vocals.
Nathan McMahon, formerly of Numidia and Hemina, plays percussion, while Mat Eichorn of Burden Man completes the lineup on keyboards.
The combination gives the project a strong Australian musical presence while retaining Stratton’s direct connection to the original Iron Maiden recordings.
Maiden uniteD’s catalogue has developed through a series of acoustic interpretations of Iron Maiden albums and songs. Early releases including Mind the Acoustic Pieces, a complete acoustic reworking of Piece of Mind, and Across the Seventh Sea established the project’s musical direction.
Subsequent recordings expanded the concept through collaborations with former Iron Maiden vocalists Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley, as well as musicians associated with Apocalyptica and Within Temptation. The changing lineup has allowed the project to approach the Iron Maiden catalogue from different musical perspectives without being tied to a single permanent configuration.
Stratton’s participation adds another dimension to the Australian performances. His Q&A sessions will give audiences an opportunity to hear about the recording of Iron Maiden’s debut album, the band’s early touring experiences and the period when the group was establishing itself in the emerging British heavy metal movement.
Maiden uniteD Australian Tour 2027
29 April 2027, Canberra, The Baso
30 April 2027, Sydney, Crowbar Sydney
1 May 2027, Melbourne, Northcote Social Club
Tickets: On sale Wednesday 4 November 2026.
Ticket outlets: Your Mate Bookings, Oztix and Maiden uniteD.
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