On the night of October 3rd, 2025, South Florida once again demonstrated its vibrant passion for music. Thanks to Gregg Watts and Pipers Sports Bar, fans enjoyed an electrifying evening of heavy music, headlined by The Iron Maidens, the world’s only all-female tribute band to Iron Maiden. The night began with a powerful opening act that perfectly set the tone for the performances to follow.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

Thought Monkey: A 90s Revival Done Right

The evening began with Thought Monkey, a high-energy 90s cover band that delivered one of the best surprise performances of the night. The group carved a solid impression with their tight sound and musical precision, transporting the audience straight into the alternative and nu-metal era with covers from Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, and Limp Bizkit.

Their rendition of Tool’s “Schism” was a standout moment—clean, powerful, and executed with the kind of technical accuracy that would make Maynard proud. Every note felt deliberate, every rhythm precise, and their chemistry on stage made it clear this is a band to watch when you crave serious 90s musicianship done right.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

The Iron Maidens: The Legacy Continues

When The Iron Maidens took the stage, the crowd’s anticipation erupted into full metal glory. This was the band’s second visit to South Florida, and once again they didn’t just perform—they conquered. The chemistry among the musicians was palpable, and their dedication to recreating Iron Maiden’s epic sound was nothing short of spectacular.

Kirsten Rosenberg, the powerhouse vocalist, owned the stage with a voice that soared, screamed, and commanded just like Bruce Dickinson himself. Her ability to channel that operatic, high-energy delivery kept the audience locked in from start to finish.

The rhythm section was a masterclass in precision. Wanda Ortiz’s galloping bass lines were as pristine as they were powerful, perfectly complementing Linda McDonald’s thunderous and precise drumming. Together, they anchored every song with the unmistakable Iron Maiden pulse that defines the band’s legendary sound.

Guitarists Nikki Stringfield and Shani Kimelman (who recently stepped in for longtime member Courtney Cox, who departed in August 2025) brought fire to the fretboard. Their harmonized solos, blistering riffs, and flawless tone captured the spirit of Adrian Smith and Dave Murray with incredible authenticity.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

A Setlist Worthy of the Metal Gods

The Iron Maidens delivered a setlist that could make any Iron Maiden fan lose their mind—a powerful and tastefully curated collection of classics and deep cuts spanning the band’s golden years. The show kicked off with The Rainmaker from Dance of Death and tore through a furious string of hits including Killers and Die With Your Boots On. From there, the energy only grew as Only the Good Die Young and Wasted Years had the crowd singing every word, the latter made even more unforgettable when Eddie himself stormed through the audience, much to everyone’s delight.

The intensity continued with Flash of the Blade and Losfer Words (Big ‘Orra) from Powerslave, followed by The Clairvoyant and The Duelists, both performed with the same precision and flair Iron Maiden fans would expect from the originals. One of the most visually striking moments came during The Trooper, when Kirsten proudly waved both the British and American flags to a roaring crowd. The band kept the fire burning with The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, The Number of the Beast, and Fear of the Dark, before closing the night with a monumental performance of Powerslave—a perfect finale to a flawless set.

Video: Julisa Sandra Marquez

What a great show!. Pipers was packed wall-to-wall with die-hard fans, horns in the air and voices echoing every lyric. Between the flawless performances, the faithful sound, and the electric atmosphere, this show was everything a metal fan could hope for. Both bands delivered clean, powerful, and passionate performances—an unforgettable night of musicianship and pure rock spirit.

Once again, hats off to Gregg Watts and Pipers Sports Bar for keeping South Florida’s live music scene alive and metal strong.

The Iron Maidens

Thought Monkey