Iron Maiden Asks Fans to Ditch Phones and Embrace the Moment on ‘Run For Your Lives’ Tour
Get ready to experience Iron Maiden like never before! The legendary heavy metal band is embarking on their monumental 'Run For Your Lives' world tour, marking 50 years since Steve Harris formed the band. But there's a twist: Iron Maiden is urging fans to put away their phones and immerse themselves fully in the concert experience. Why the change, and what can fans expect?
The 'Run For Your Lives' tour promises to be a spectacular event, featuring a setlist that spans nine studio albums, from 'Iron Maiden' to 'Fear Of The Dark'. The band is committed to delivering their most elaborate show to date. However, they want fans to experience the music as it was originally intended, without the distraction of phone screens.
"We really want fans to enjoy the shows first hand, rather than on their small screens," explains manager Rod Smallwood. "The amount of phone use nowadays diminishes enjoyment, particularly for the band who are on stage looking out at rows of phones, but also for other concertgoers. We feel that the passion and involvement of our fans at shows really makes them special, but the phone obsession has now got so out of hand that it has become unnecessarily distracting especially to the band. I hope fans understand this and will be sensible in severely limiting the use of their phone cameras out of respect for the band and their fellow fans."
Smallwood emphasizes the desire for fans to be "in the moment" and fully engaged with the music. The show is not just a celebration of Iron Maiden's music but also their history, art, and the iconic mascot, Eddie. The band is encouraging fans to sing their hearts out and join the Iron Maiden family instead of focusing on their phones.
The tour began on May 27th in Budapest. Beyond the concerts, the 50th-anniversary celebrations include fan "meet-up" events and Eddie's Official Pop-up Dive Bar in 20 cities, serving Trooper beer and Darkest Red wine. Details are available on ironmaiden.com.
There are also big plans in the works: a feature-length documentary film is coming to cinemas worldwide later this year via Universal Pictures Content Group, and an official hardback book providing a visual celebration of 50 years of Iron Maiden is being published by Thames & Hudson.
This tour also signifies a change in the lineup, with Simon Dawson taking over drumming duties after Nicko McBrain's retirement from touring in December 2024. McBrain remains closely connected to Iron Maiden with planned involvements in a variety of projects.
Will Iron Maiden's plea resonate with fans? Can concertgoers truly disconnect from their devices and fully embrace live music? The 'Run For Your Lives' tour promises to be a unique and memorable experience for both the band and their dedicated fanbase. Let us know in the comments if you think you can put your phone down for an entire Iron Maiden concert!
