Iron Maiden‘s iconic drummer, Nicko McBrain, has officially announced an extensive European spoken word tour for autumn 2026. Titled “An Evening With Nicko McBrain,” the theatrical run will immediately follow the release of his highly anticipated, deeply candid autobiography, “Hello Boys and Girls!“, which is scheduled to hit bookshelves on October 22, 2026.
The upcoming live dates will see the legendary musician traveling across Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Malta, Ireland, and the United Kingdom to share colorful, firsthand accounts of his extraordinary life both on and off the stage.
Expressing his excitement for the upcoming project, Nicko McBrain stated:
“It’s been a real honour to write my very own autobiography and have the chance to walk down memory lane, revisiting all the experiences that have made me who I am and brought me to where I am today. And I’m thrilled and delighted to be taking those stories on the road and share them all with you. I feel truly blessed to be able to say Hello Boys And Girls to you all in person later this year. We’re going to have a lot of fun together, so come and join me for a great night out. I’ve got a LOT of stories I want to tell you all!”
Born in Hackney, East London in 1952, Nicko McBrain pursued his passion for the drums from childhood, transitioning from practicing on household pots and pans to performing semi-professionally in wedding bands by the age of 14. Before securing his career-defining role in Iron Maiden in 1982, McBrain honed his unique, jazz-influenced style through extensive session work and stints with notable rock acts such as Streetwalkers, the Pat Travers Band, and Trust.
Over his monumental 42-year tenure with Iron Maiden, McBrain‘s charismatic showmanship and intricate technique helped solidify the band’s signature heavy metal sound. He has performed on 14 studio albums and countless world tours, contributing to more than 100 million record sales worldwide.
While the drummer has long been celebrated for his larger-than-life persona, classic car collection, and television appearances, such as his memorable 1980s guest spot on the UK children’s television program “The Sooty Show“, the upcoming book and tour will also delve into personal territories previously kept out of the spotlight. Audiences can expect an honest reflection on his battle with cancer, his remarkable recovery from a near career-ending stroke, and his born-again religious faith. The live events are structured as a blend of theatrical stand-up comedy and direct audience interaction.
“An Evening With Nicko McBrain” 2026 Tour Dates:
- Oct 26 – Frankfurt, Germany – Alte Oper
- Oct 27 – Cologne, Germany – Tanzbrunnen
- Oct 29 – Berlin, Germany – Passionskirche
- Oct 30 – Munich, Germany – Backstage
- Nov 3 – Tilburg, Netherlands – 013 Poppodium
- Nov 8 – Helsinki, Finland – Savoy Theatre
- Nov 9 – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller
- Nov 11 – Stockholm, Sweden – Göta Lejon
- Nov 13 – Copenhagen, Denmark – DR Studio 2
- Nov 15 – St. Julian’s, Malta – Malta Metal Festival
- Nov 18 – Dublin, Ireland – Ambassador
- Nov 23 – Birmingham, United Kingdom – Glee Club
- Nov 26 – London, United Kingdom – Bush Hall
- Nov 28 – Cardiff, United Kingdom – The Gate
- Nov 30 – Bath, United Kingdom – Komedia
- Dec 1 – Manchester, United Kingdom – Academy 2
- Dec 3 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – Òran Mór
