Iron Maiden are getting ready to hit the road for their upcoming Run For Your Lives World Tour later this month in Budapest and around Europe. The band is celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden with a very special setlist that focuses on their first nine albums from Iron Maiden to Fear Of The Dark. Before that tour kicks off though, the band made a statement through their official social media channels about cell phone usage during the concerts. Here’s the full statement.
Iron Maiden On Cell Phones During The Run For Your Lives Tour
As you’re all very aware! The Run For Your Lives World Tour marks 50 years since Steve 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!
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.
Explains Rod Smallwood: “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?”
Be sure to check http://ironmaiden.com/tour for the last few remaining tickets and keep an eye on our socials – we’ll let you know when any last minute production holds become available.
If you’re looking for something to do ahead of the shows then check out Eddie’s Official Pop-up Dive Bar – http://ironmaiden.com/eddies-dive-bar/… which will be running in certain cities for pre- and post-show fun!
Iron Maiden aren’t the first band to encourage people to live in the moment during their concerts. On their current World Tour, Ghost has outright banned cell phone usage during concerts. People have to put their phones in a magnetic pouch that they can unlock out in the concourse of venues. This is a wonderful change because it’s gotten to a point during concerts that people have their phones stuck up in the air more than anything else. Snapping a quick picture here and there doesn’t hurt anyone, but it outright ruins the experience for everyone involved if you have your phone up blocking the people behind you.
So, let’s hope that everyone heeds the wishes of the band on the upcoming run of shows throughout Europe that starts in May.
For more on Metal, make sure to check back to That Hashtag Show.
That Hashtag Show
