Following the recent announcement of Hello Boys and Girls!, Nicko McBrain’s thrilling, hilarious and deeply personal autobiography which will be published on 22nd October 2026, the much-loved drummer will now be taking to the road on a spoken word tour.

Starting in Frankfurt on October 26^th, Nicko McBrain will be visiting theatres across Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia, Ireland and the UK, regaling audiences with colourful stories of a life well-lived. Featuring tales from behind the drum-stool of one of Britain’s biggest ever bands, alongside lessons learned from his eventful youth, his triumphant highs and deepest lows, this is a chance for fans to get up-close-and-personal with one of the most famous and admired men in rock history.

Born in Hackney, East London in 1952, Michael “Nicko” McBrain always wanted to be a drummer, practising on his mother’s pots and pans until his father bought him his first drumkit when he was 11 years old. Playing initially in school bands, covering The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, by 14 he had become semi-professional, performing in wedding bands around London.

Inspired by jazz as much as rock music, Nicko played with the likes of Streetwalkers, Pat Travers Band and Trust whilst honing his craft doing session work amongst the highly competitive mean streets and studios of London’s Soho. However, when he joined Iron Maiden in 1982 he quickly became one of the most recognisable and influential drummers in the world.

Through his powerful and brilliant drumming style – full of flair and technique – and his equally charismatic stage presence, Nicko became a metal icon, pivotal in shaping Iron Maiden's dynamic sound across his 42-year tenure with the band. Playing on 14 studio albums, multiple live albums and dozens of world tours, as part of Iron Maiden Nicko has sold over 100 million records around the world and entered the annals of rock history.

With a famous appearance on long-running UK children’s programme The Sooty Show in the 80s, and years of youthful excess and humorous escapades, alongside his love for classic cars and his side-career as a successful restauranteur in Florida, Nicko’s star has shone brightly, with his larger-than-life persona making him universally beloved amongst metal fans. Yet his sensitive nature, battle with cancer, recovery from a near career-ending stroke and his born-again religious faith, have been largely lived out of the public eye.

Now with trademark humour and heart Nicko McBrain invites us into his world, sharing unforgettable moments, backstage stories, laugh-out-loud anecdotes, and raw honesty, revealing what it feels like to remain not just relevant but more loved than ever after decades at the top, and to live a life transformed by music, brotherhood, and belief.

Part stand-up show and part audience interaction, and with a whole lot of Nicko’s inimitable candour and gregarious story-telling, this is the ideal chance to enjoy one of rock’n’roll’s greatest raconteurs live and in person, as he relives moments he’s shared in the forthcoming Hello Boys and Girls! memoir, providing a front-row seat to one of heavy metal’s greatest lives.

Nicko McBrain says: “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!”

It’s back!! After the 10th Anniversary record fastest sellout in 2025. The biggest Xmas Manchester party returns this December at The Academy.

Live on the night:

• The Clone Roses – The UK’s no.1 Stone Roses tribute. Known for their stunningly accurate live performances, The Clone Roses have headlined huge events like Spike Island – The Resurrection to 15,000 people and Heaton Park – The Resurrection. Even Stone Roses legend Mani has praised them as “the second-best Stone Roses in the world.”
• Oasish – The ultimate Oasis tribute. Formed in 2004, Oasish have played at Wembley, Manchester Academy and Glastonbudget Festival year after year. Expect the swagger, the sound, and the anthems that defined a generation.
• The Smiths Ltd – The UK’s most authentic tribute to The Smiths. Based in Manchester and using the same vintage gear as the original band, they deliver a powerful, faithful recreation of The Smiths’ iconic live energy.
• The Cortinas – Hailing also from Manchester, the band are the closest thing you will see to Liam & Co, belting out all those now legendary anthems we all love, from “Non Nineteen Forever” to “What took you so long” & More!

All this plus a special guest DJ set by Inspiral Carpet legend Clint Boon “BOON ARMY!!”

THIS SHOW ALWAYS SELLS OUT EARLY SO BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Take advantage of the early bird offer, where for 2 weeks only, you can pick up your tickets for just £19.50