IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith and guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen have brought their SMITH/KOTZEN project to Belgium as part of their February/March 2026 European tour. The duo, accompanied by bassist Julia Lage and drummer Bruno Valverde, are promoting their second album "Black Light / White Noise," which has drawn praise for its adventurous blend of hard rock muscle and blues-infused sophistication.
The SMITH/KOTZEN partnership first emerged in 2021 with their self-titled debut, born from a musical connection Smith and Kotzen discovered while both were living in Los Angeles. Smith, best known for his iconic work with IRON MAIDEN since 1980, has consistently explored musical territory outside his main band, while Kotzen — a former member of POISON and MR. BIG — has built a reputation as one of rock's most versatile and technically gifted guitarists.
The tour kicked off February 3 in Madrid and has been receiving stellar reviews from both fans and critics for its intimate club setting, which allows the audience to witness two guitar masters trading licks and sharing vocal duties in a way that larger arena shows simply cannot replicate. The setlists have been drawing from both SMITH/KOTZEN albums alongside select covers and deep cuts that showcase the duo's wide-ranging musical tastes.
Smith has spoken in interviews about the creative freedom the project affords him, noting that SMITH/KOTZEN allows him to explore songwriting approaches that would not necessarily fit within the IRON MAIDEN framework. Kotzen, meanwhile, has praised Smith's willingness to push beyond his comfort zone and experiment with different guitar tones and textures. Remaining tour dates include stops in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, with several shows already sold out. The European run is expected to wrap in early March, after which Smith will rejoin IRON MAIDEN for their 2026 touring commitments.