I was at the show this past Saturday night when these events unfolded.
It all started when Iron Maiden was playing "The Trooper." Bruce Dickinson came out in a colonial era red British military jacket, waving the Union Jack. This was my first Iron Maiden show, but from what I am told, it is an Iron Maiden tradition when they play this song. While close to the pit, he was repeatedly pelted with eggs, and apparently spit on.
During the song, someone emerged from back stage waving an American flag. A crew member grabbed this person, and threw him back stage. The individual with the American flag emerged once again on the side of the stage, and proceeded to run through the crowd along the aisles.
Needless to say the audience was a bit confused, unsure what was going on.
Between songs, Dickinson made comments directed at those in the audience throwing eggs, mentioning how "convenient" it was that someone was able to smuggle that many eggs into the venue given the security checkpoints at the gate.
Then things got really odd.
As the Iron Maiden set proceeded, the sound went out mid song on three occasions...yet the band continued to play, not losing their composure or acting in an unprofessional manner.
Given all the problems they were having, it amazes me just how good Iron Maiden sounded...Dickinson worked the crowd repeatedly, despite his obvious aggrevation...the band never lost a beat, even though the evidence was growing that suggested sabotage of their performance.
At the end of their set, Dickinson thanked the crowd, but his voice was drowned out by someone coming over the sound system screaming Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy.
The lights came on while Iron Maiden was still on the stage, and the Ozzy crew quite visibly and very aggressively began tearing down the Iron Maiden stage setup...at this point, the crowd knew something was afoot.
After all of this, Sharon Osbourne emerged and gave a little speech, thanking Iron Maiden, but accusing Bruce Dickinson of being direspectful towards Ozzfest the entire tour...she was booed off stage, and the crowd began chanting Maiden, Maiden, Maiden. Many people left after Sharon exited the stage, outraged by what was obviously sabotage on the part of the Ozzy crew, apparently orchestrated by Sharon.
Based on eye witness accounts from people close to the pit, it seems that Sharon escorted Kelly Osbourne and a few others to the pit prior to Iron Maiden taking the stage, and they were the ones throwing the eggs...also, Ozzy crew members have apparently been screwing with Iron Maiden's sound during their performances the entire tour, and Dickinson commented on this during a few interviews.
Based on the fallout from all of this, it appears that the Ozzy camp has not been thrilled by the fact that Iron Maiden has received rave reviews throughout the tour, and that they have drawn more fans then even Sabbath to the shows across the country.
I am surprised their weren't riots or more fights afterwards given that the crowd was extremely aggressive, and already seemed poised to engage in violent behavior.
The mood of the crowd was killed when Black Sabbath took the stage, as those who stuck around were still very confused about what had happened to Iron Maiden...despite repeated attempts to rally the crowd, everyone was largely unresponsive and unimpressed with Sabbath.
I hope Sharon has to refund each and every ticket for her unprofessional and immature antics.
UP THE IRONS!!!
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