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Helloween’s 40th Anniversary Tour with Beast In Black: Pop-Up Store Events & Live Setlists 2025
Nov
Introduction
German power-metal legends Helloween are celebrating a monumental milestone: 40 years of shaping the metal genre. In 2025 they have embarked on an extra-special anniversary tour, and they’ve brought along special guests Beast In Black to accompany them throughout Europe, with further legs to follow. What makes this tour stand out even more is the inclusion of exclusive pop-up stores in selected cities and a setlist that blends classic anthems, deep-cuts and fresh material. Drawing on multiple sources, this article delves into the tour’s significance, the pop-up store phenomenon, the setlists for both bands and what fans can expect from this landmark celebration. (See also their Wikipedia entries: Helloween – Wikipédia; Beast In Black – Wikipedia)
Helloween’s Legacy & The Significance of 40 Years
Helloween first formed in Hamburg in 1984 and quickly established themselves as pioneers of melodic speed/power metal. Over the decades they’ve released milestone albums such as Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I and Part II, shaping the sound of countless bands that followed. Marking four decades of their career isn’t merely an anniversary—it’s a testament to endurance, evolution and fandom. Hence the “40 Years Anniversary Tour” has been billed not just as a regular tour, but as a celebration of their journey and influence.
From the official tour details, Helloween themselves note that this tour is more than a standard live run: it’s a showcase of their past, present and future, delivering a “career-spanning set list” and “brand-new live show” as they enter their fifth decade. Official HELLOWEEN Website That framing helps fans understand the scale: this is both retrospective and forward-looking.
Tour Format, Dates & Guests
The Anniversary Tour kicked off in Europe in mid-October 2025. Helloween enlisted Beast In Black as the special guests throughout the European leg—providing a potent double-bill of power metal for a new generation of fans and returning loyalists alike. AFM Records+1 According to the tour listing from the official website, after Europe the tour will continue into Asia (including Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan) and North America in 2026. Official HELLOWEEN Website
One of the unique tour features has been the simultaneous run of pop-up stores in selected cities—creating experiential hubs where fans can purchase exclusive tour merchandise, mingle with community and enhance the event beyond the concert itself. The first pop-up opened in Prague (October 24) and further dates included Bochum, Hamburg, Stuttgart. Official HELLOWEEN Website+1 These stores operate for a short time window (typically on show day) and offer merch that is not available online or at the standard tour merch stand.
The Pop-Up Store Concept & Fan Engagement
Why pop-up stores? From a fan-culture perspective, they add value beyond the setlist: they create a sense of occasion, scarcity and exclusivity. Attending the concert becomes more than just watching the show—it becomes an event, a pilgrimage. For the band and management, it’s also an opportunity to deepen brand engagement, release limited edition items and drive buzz.
Helloween’s official site describes the pop-ups as “one-day stores” delivering “unique tour merchandise… only on show day, only in these cities!” Official HELLOWEEN Website For example:
- Prague – October 24
- Bochum – October 30 & 31
- Hamburg – November 1
- Stuttgart – November 22 AFM Records
These stores often open a few hours before the concert door time and stay open for limited hours (e.g., 12:00–18:00). Fans keen on collectible items such as signed prints, special vinyl editions, limited t-shirts and other memorabilia are encouraged to arrive early. The shared event space also fosters community: you’ll likely meet fellow “Pumpkinheads” (the band’s fan-base nickname) in line, swapping stories and gearing up ahead of the show.
For fans attending a pop-up, some practical tips:
- Arrive early: limited stock and potential queuing
- Bring cash or cards (check what is accepted)
- Check opening hours ahead (varies by city)
- Plan transport: many stores are close to the venue or in city centres
- RN-line fans may want to buy the merch first, then attend show, to avoid selling out
In sum, the pop-up store element elevates the tour from concert to cultural moment, emphasising anniversary, community and collectibility.
Setlists: Helloween’s Mix of Old, New & Very Rare
One of the major talking points of this tour has been Helloween’s setlist. A notable display of ambition: they are revisiting deep cuts, fan favourites, and live debuts for tracks from their then-recent album Giants & Monsters. According to reliable setlist reporting at the October 17 show in Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg), the set included such highlights as:
- March of Time (first time since 2018)
- The King for a 1000 Years (first time since 2011)
- Future World
- This Is Tokyo (live debut)
- We Burn (first time since 2016)
- Twilight of the Gods (first time since 1987)
- Ride the Sky
- Into the Sun (live debut)
- Drum Solo
- Hey Lord! (first time since 2004)
- Universe (Gravity for Hearts) (live debut)
- Hell Was Made in Heaven (first time since 2014)
- I Want Out
- In the Middle of a Heartbeat (first time since 1996)
- A Tale That Wasn’t Right
- A Little Is a Little Too Much (live debut)
- Heavy Metal (Is the Law)
- Halloween
Encore:
19. Eagle Fly Free
20. Power
21. Dr. Stein
22. Keeper of the Seven Keys Setlist.fm
This breakdown reveals the dual aim: give the audience the classics that made the band iconic, while also reviving songs seldom heard live and showcasing new material. For example, “Twilight of the Gods” hadn’t been played live since 1987—a deep-cut revival that serves serious longtime fans as well as creating special moments. Meanwhile, new songs like “Into the Sun” and “A Little Is a Little Too Much” show that Helloween are still evolving, not merely resting on legacy.
From a narrative perspective, this blend creates the perfect anniversary experience: nostalgia, surprise, fresh energy. The fans attending any given show don’t simply get a hits show—they get a curated experience with rare gems.
Setlists: Beast In Black-Support & The Opening Blast
While Helloween headline the tour, Beast In Black bring the fire as the nightly support act. Their setlist for the October 26 2025 show in Budapest is typical of their powerful performance and included:
- Power of the Beast
- Hardcore
- From Hell With Love
- Blood of a Lion
- Cry Out for a Hero
- Sweet True Lies
- Enter the Behelit
- Beast in Black
- Die by the Blade
- One Night in Tokyo
- Blind and Frozen
- No Surrender AFM Records+1
Noteworthy is that the band recently announced the departure of their long-standing guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen (after ten years) mid-tour. AFM Records Yet they continue unabated, proving resilient and energized in their support role.
For fans, the presence of Beast In Black at the tour adds value: you’re effectively getting a high-calibre double-bill. It draws interest both from Helloween’s longtime base and younger metal fans discovering the new wave of power-metal.
Pop-Up Stores Meets Setlist: A Unified Experience
Bringing these elements together—the pop-up store + the varied setlist + the double-bill tour—creates an immersive fan experience.
Imagine arriving at the pop-up in your city: queuing with fellow fans, grabbing exclusive merch (perhaps a limited-edition vinyl of Giants & Monsters, a commemorative 40-yr t-shirt, rare prints), then heading into the venue knowing you’re about to witness not just a concert, but a landmark event for a band’s legacy. The setlist surprises you with material you never thought you’d hear live again, or maybe for the first time. The support band warms the crowd, the crowd warms up the headliner. All of this happens within the context of Helloween owning their 40-year journey.
Merchandise and live performance merge: the pop-up store gives tangible memory, while the live show gives emotional memory. It’s a full package.
Why This Tour Matters For Fans & For the Industry
For fans:
- They get to witness a legacy band celebrating a major milestone.
- The setlist offers depth (not just radio hits) and rarity (songs not played live for decades).
- The pop-up stores provide rare merchandise that becomes collectible.
- The double-bill format adds more value to ticket purchase.
For the industry:
- It demonstrates how legacy acts can still innovate in touring (pop-ups, limited runs).
- It shows how fan engagement can be ramped up beyond standard concert-model.
- It proves the viability of large-scale anniversary tours and the market hunger for them.
Key Dates & Locations (Selected)
- October 17 2025 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg (Rockhal Main Hall) Setlist.fm
- October 24 2025 – Pop-up store opens in Prague Official HELLOWEEN Website+1
- October 30 & 31 2025 – Pop-up in Bochum, Germany AFM Records
- November 1 2025 – Pop-up in Hamburg, Germany AFM Records
- November 22 2025 – Pop-up in Stuttgart, Germany AFM Records
- December 2025 & 2026 – Asia & North America tour legs unfold Official HELLOWEEN Website
Merchandise Highlights & Collector Appeal
Although the full merch list varies by city, the pop-up stores are advertised as places for “unique tour merchandise … not online, not at the regular merch stand.” AFM Records+1 Typical items include: limited vinyl editions, special-colour t-shirts, signed posters, boxed set bundles featuring the new album Giants & Monsters, artwork prints, patches. For collectors and superfans, these items become memories of the tour and can increase in value. Also, the limited windows create scarcity, which drives demand.
The New Album: Giants & Monsters & Its Role In The Tour
Helloween’s 2025 album Giants & Monsters plays an integral role on this tour—it is not just a legacy show, but also a promotional live platform for the new record. According to their official site, the album “pushes the boundaries of Helloween’s sound… the septet presents what probably the most versatile album of their career.” Official HELLOWEEN Website Songs from this album such as “Into the Sun”, “A Little Is a Little Too Much”, “Universe (Gravity For Hearts)”, “This Is Tokyo” are featured in the setlist and celebrated by fans for adding fresh energy. AFM Records+1 Thus the tour isn’t merely retrospective—it’s also about the future of the band.
Fan Experience & Community Impact
Attending one of these shows is more than a gig: it’s a gathering of the “Pumpkinhead” community. The pop-up store enhances this—fans congregate, talk talk talk, buy gear, snap pics. The show afterwards becomes a shared live memory. Many fans will post photos of setlists, merch hauls, rare song performances (“Twilight of the Gods!”, “In the Middle of a Heartbeat!”) on forums and social media, further reinforcing the tour’s communal impact.
Additionally, the support from Beast In Black brings younger fans into the fold, widening the demographic and strengthening the scene for melodic power metal.
Looking Ahead: Asia & North America
While the European leg is well underway, the tour’s full scope is global. According to the official schedule, December 2025 will see dates in Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan—followed by a full move to Japan in May 2026 and North America in April/May 2026. Official HELLOWEEN Website Therefore, fans who can’t make the European shows still have hope of catching the tour in their region. The pop-up store concept may be region-specific and may vary but the setlist and celebration feel will likely carry through.
Final Thoughts
In sum, Helloween’s 40th Anniversary Tour is a standout in a year of heavy-metal live events. With the blend of nostalgia, new material, exclusive merchandise via pop-up stores and a strong supporting act in Beast In Black, it delivers a comprehensive fan experience. Whether you’re a long-term follower who remembers the early days or a newer fan discovering the power-metal legacy, this tour has something special for you. The combination of collectible merchandise + rare live performances makes this more than just another show—it’s a moment in metal history.
If you’re planning to attend, consider arriving at the pop-up store, buying your exclusive merch early, then soak in the show with the setlist twists and community energy. It’s a rare chance to celebrate four decades of metal with one of the genre’s foundational bands.
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