KEY POINTS:
It's the sort of news that will have many running for the hills, but get ready to play with madness, New Zealand because Iron Maiden are coming back for the first time in 16 years in February.
The British band have loaded up their customised Boeing 757, affectionately
known as Ed Force One, and with Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson piloting the jet they are heading here for two shows on February 20 at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland and at AMI Stadium in Christchurch the next day.
Thanks to albums like 1982's The Number of the Beast and 89's Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, and songs like Run To The Hills, Aces High, and Can I Play With Madness, the British band are one of the most influential and popular heavy metal bands alongside AC/DC and Metallica.
Since forming in London in 1976 they've released 14 studio albums and also the classic 1985 double live album, Live After Death, which documented their year-long world tour for the Powerslave album.
The last time they were in New Zealand was in 1992. Soon after, singer Bruce Dickinson left the band only to rejoin in 1999. Tickets on sale November 28 at Ticketek.
Meanwhile, guitar hero Jeff Beck will play a one-off show on February 3 at Auckland's ASB Theatre. Beck started making a name for himself in the mid-60s when he replaced Eric Clapton as lead guitarist of The Yardbirds. He went on to form the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood (who later joined the Rolling Stones). The reclusive guitarist's style encompassed everything from jazz fusion to heavy rock and influenced the likes of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, as well as heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden.
Tickets go on sale from the-edge.co.nz on November 25.
Supergroove and Elemeno P are off on a road trip this summer for the Rock 'n' Roll Caravan Summer Tour.
The tour kicks off with a show at Auckland's Powerstation on December 19 with friends Deja Voodoo, then they're off around the country for a further eight shows.
The idea for the caravan came to Che Fu and Elemeno P drummer Scotty Pearson over a couple of beers and the two put their handyman skills to work on a 12m, mid-60s Crusader caravan. Now they're hitting the highway.
The tour dates include the Brownzy, Browns Bay, Dec 23; Waihi Beach Hotel, Dec 26; Mangawhai Tavern, Dec 28; Butlers Reef, New Plymouth, Dec 29; Coroglen Tavern, Jan 3; Kings Arms, Auckland, Jan 4.
Also touring are Australia's favourite pop twins The Veronicas who headline the Edge SummerJam nationwide tour in March.
The series of shows kicks off in Auckland at the Logan Campbell Centre on March 3 and then heads south.
And Ali Campbell, the former front man for mainstream reggae giants UB40, has been added to the bill for Rotorua's Raggamuffin Festival on February 7.
Campbell played the previous festival earlier this year with UB40 in what was his final show with the band.