With just one week to go before the kickoff of their highly anticipated “Run for Your Lives” 50th anniversary tour in Budapest, IRON MAIDEN have issued a heartfelt request to fans: put down the phones and live in the moment.
The iconic British heavy metal band, known for their electrifying stage shows and deep connection with their audience, are encouraging concertgoers to “severely limit” mobile phone and tablet use during performances. The message came directly from IRON MAIDEN’s longtime manager Rod Smallwood, who released a statement today on behalf of the band.
While some artists have adopted strict no-phone policies — using Yondr pouches to lock away devices during shows — IRON MAIDEN are opting for a more personal approach, trusting their fanbase to respect the spirit of the request without enforced restrictions.
“As you’re all very aware! The Run For Your Lives World Tour marks 50 years since Steve [Harris] formed the band in late 1975 and to celebrate this, Maiden fans are promised a very special set list spanning the nine studio albums from Iron Maiden to Fear Of The Dark, with their most spectacular and elaborate show ever,” band said in a statement.
“In keeping with that time period MAIDEN are keen for everyone in the audience to experience this spectacular show as they would have when many of these songs were first played live back in 80’s and, in common with many other artists, the band are now asking their fans not to excessively film the concerts on their phones or tablets.”
MAIDEN‘s manager Rob Smalwood further explaines: “We really want fans to enjoy the shows first hand, rather than on their small screens. 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”.
“We would very much like you to be ‘in the moment’ instead and be fully actively involved to enjoy each and every one of these classic songs in the spirit and manner they were first played. This show isn’t just a celebration of our music; it is, as you will see, also about our years of art, of Eddie and of the many, many worlds of Maiden we have created for you”.
“So please respect the band, respect the other fans and have the time of your lives as you join your MAIDEN family by singing your heart out, rather than getting your phone out!! It’s really not a lot to ask is it?”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.