When Iron Maiden took the stage for their outdoor concert in Ljubljana, all eyes were not just on the towering stage design or the familiar setlist, they were also on Simon Dawson. Sitting behind the drums, Simon Dawson carried the pressure of legacy with quiet control, stepping further into the role once held for decades by Nicko McBrain. It wasn’t a flashy debut, nor was it hyped with fanfare. But those watching closely could tell that something meaningful had shifted.
Simon Dawson, whose name might not have held weight among Maiden’s global fan base until recently, played through the night with a sense of calm purpose. While it was his first major outdoor show with the band, he didn’t appear rattled. His performance didn’t call attention to itself, which in a band like Iron Maiden is exactly the point. The drums have always driven the pace, not the spotlight. He understood that.
The transition wasn’t sudden. McBrain’s partial withdrawal from touring duties in 2023, due to a serious health issue, opened the door. Dawson initially filled in with care, respecting the music’s structure and avoiding any heavy-handed reinterpretation. He didn’t try to mimic McBrain, but he clearly studied his style. That much was evident during the Ljubljana set, where Dawson navigated classic tracks like “Hallowed Be Thy Name” and “Iron Maiden” with tight discipline and a steady pulse.
His touch leaned slightly more measured than McBrain’s trademark looseness, but the crowd didn’t seem to mind. If anything, his presence brought a fresh edge, not in style, but in approach. The songs remained intact. Nothing was lost, and that’s no small feat when stepping into a band where the rhythm section has been unchanged for decades.
What Dawson brings is a workmanlike mentality. He doesn’t overplay. He doesn’t force personality into songs that already speak loudly on their own. That restraint: something not every drummer can pull off in high-pressure circumstances, may be what’s helped him blend in so quickly. He’s not just a substitute. On nights like this, he feels like part of the framework.
Behind the scenes, Iron Maiden hasn’t made any dramatic announcements about a permanent lineup shift. They haven’t had to. McBrain has expressed public support for Dawson, and that kind of endorsement doesn’t happen unless the music holds. From the band’s standpoint, what matters is momentum, and Dawson is helping preserve it.
The Ljubljana concert may not have rewritten history, but for those who understand what it takes to sit in that seat, it was a telling moment. Simon Dawson didn’t try to steal the show. He kept time, held the floor, and gave the band room to breathe. Sometimes, that’s all a great drummer needs to do.