The band have announced that former frontman Blaze Bayley will be playing a headline set on Maidenville Stage at the event, while Iron Maiden precursor Gypsy's Kiss have also been added to the lineup.
"I'm so excited to be invited to headline Friday night at EddFest, celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden,” says Bayley, “I am so proud of my two albums with the band and I'm really looking forward to playing some of the songs that we recorded together. Can't wait to see you all at the hallowed grounds of Knebworth!"
Steve Harris has also invited Gypsy's Kiss, the band he formed in 1974 with singer and guitarist, David Smith, to perform on the Maidenville stage on Friday. As the very first band Steve ever played with, they were an instrumental part of Steve's journey to form Iron Maiden a year later.
"Having the opportunity to put together our very own festival at Knebworth, and celebrate 50 years of Iron Maiden, has given me a chance to bring together friends past and present and create a really special weekend for the fans,” says Harris. “I'm very pleased that Blaze is able to join us and perform some of the songs we wrote and recorded in the 90s. He has been a big part of Iron Maiden's career, and I know the fans will be really excited to see him on stage at EddFest. It's also great to have Gypsy's Kiss playing with us at Knebworth too. They were a big part of my musical heritage and it's really exciting to have them play at the Maidenville stage."
Camping ticket holders for the only UK headline show in 2026 will be able to access the EddFest site on the Friday night, the day before regular ticket holders. This includes access to the Infinite Dreams Experience, Eddie's Ultimate Dive Bar, the Unfair Funfair and of course, the Friday night entertainment.
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