Iron Maiden wants fans to “severely limit” use of phones at upcoming Run For Your Lives tour: “We would very much like you to be ‘in the moment’ instead”
Following Ghost’s recent concert phone ban, Iron Maiden, too, have urged fans to put their phones away for the band’s upcoming shows.
With the band’s Run For Your Lives tour kicking off next week (27 May), longtime manager Rod Smallwood has released a statement explaining the Maiden’s wish for fans to keep their phones in their pockets as much as possible. He notes how excessive phone use at shows “diminishes enjoyment”, both for the band performing and for the audience.
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“We really want fans to enjoy the shows first hand, rather than on their small screens,” says 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.”
He adds that the Maiden camp “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 [Maiden’s mascot] Eddie and of the many, many worlds of Maiden we have created for you,” the statement continues. “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?”
With their upcoming tour marking 50 years since bassist Steve Harris first formed the band in 1975, the heavy metal titans are pulling out all the stops. Fans can expect a deep-cut-spanning setlist from Iron Maiden to Fear of the Dark, and what’s probably the group’s most spectacular live production to date.
Iron Maiden’s latest request also follows in the footsteps of Ghost, who made headlines recently for enforcing a ‘no-phone policy’ at their shows by having fans lock their devices in Yondr pouches for the duration of the performance.
Explaining his rationale for the hardline approach, Ghost frontman Tobias Forge said, “It’s irritating. And maybe I’m old school, maybe I’m old-fashioned. I just feel that we’re having an intimate moment, and it disturbs me that you’re filming while we’re doing this together.”
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