Iron Maiden want fans to embrace phone-free gigs
The veterans rockers are back on the road again this summer with their 'Run For Your Lives' tour, which kicked off in Budapest, Hungary last week, and prior to the tour's launch their manager Rod Smallwood posted a message on Instagram urging gig-goers to put their devices away so they can fully enjoy the band's performance.
Rod admits most of the audience at the first shows complied with the guidance and it gave the rockers a "boost" but there was still a "selfish few" who kept videoing. In a message posted on the band's Instagram page, he wrote: "A huge thank you to every one of you who kept your phones down, respected the band and your fellow fans, and embraced the show the way it's meant to be experienced - in the room with us.
"That was a great boost for us and the band appreciated it greatly. It is so much better when they can see you unencumbered and that drives them on without that distraction. For the selfish few that didn't and just had to keep videoing ... I wish you nothing but a very sore arm!"
He went on to add: "But they were few, and we do hope this support from fans, especially in the floor area in front of the sound desk, continues ... As I said before, by all means take the odd quick pic as a memento of a great night, but otherwise please keep your phone in your pocket."
Before the tour kicked off, Rod posted his plea online - urging fans not to ruin gigs by taking extending videos and holding their phones up.
He also explained the decision was made because the tour is celebrating 50 years since the group formed back in 1975 and the gigs should be phone-free in keeping with the spirit of the gigs.
A message posted on the band's Instagram page explained: "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."
Ron added: "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?"
The tour runs across Europe throughout June and July before concluding in Warsaw, Poland on August 2.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
31-07-2025
- Perth Now
Iron Maiden left 'deeply saddened' by death of former band member
Iron Maiden have been left "deeply saddened" by the death of the band's original lead singer, Paul Mario Day. The passing of the short-lived vocalist of the legendary heavy metal band - whose tenure lasted from 1975 to 1976 - was announced by his other former band, More, on Tuesday (29.07.25). The band wrote on social media: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the great MORE vocalist Paul Mario Day. Paul was a huge part of the [New Wave of British Heavy Metal] from his time in an early version of Iron Maiden and of course his fantastic performance on the 'Warhead' album.' The tribute continued: 'He was a well loved figure in British rock music and played many memorable shows not least the legendary 1981 Monsters of Rock show at Castle Donington with AC/DC, Whitesnake/David Coverdale as well as tours with Iron Maiden Def Leppard and many other legendary artists. Mike Freeland remembers him fondly as a 'bloody great vocalist!' It's an honour for us to continue to play his music and we will always think of him every time we hit the opening notes to 'Warhead'. We send our deepest condolences to Paul's family and friends and also the many fans around the world who love his music. (sic)" Iron Maiden - now fronted by Bruce Dickinson - have since paid their respects, hailing Paul, who was 69, "a lovely person and good mate". They penned on Instagram: "We are deeply saddened that Paul Mario Day, Iron Maiden's first ever vocalist back in 1975, has passed away. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Paul's family and friends. "Paul was a lovely person and good mate. "Rest in peace Paul." Paul didn't have any recorded music for Maiden to his name, but he later claimed co-authorship of their song Strange World. Founding member and bassist Steve Harris said he lacked "energy or charisma on stage". He was replaced by Dennis Wilcock before Paul Di'Anno - who died in October 2024 - stepped up to frontman duties, appearing on the Fear of the Dark band's first two albums, 1980's Iron Maiden and 1981's Killers. Addressing Steve's critique, Paul once told Blabbermouth: "Steve was saying, 'You've got to get better. You've got to be more in the audience's face. You've got to be commanding. You've got to be a hero.' "And I agreed with him, but I didn't actually know how to make that happen. I got warning for maybe three months: 'Get it together. Get it together.' "And I wanted to, I just didn't know how to do it. So the funny thing is, the worst experience was the best lesson because when I got that notice and I felt so gutted, it changed me." As well as Maiden and More, Paul was in the groups Wildfire and glam rock outfit Sweet. The latter group posted the following tribute: "Paul Mario Day RIP "IN 1985 Mick Tucker and myself put together the first new line-up of Sweet after the hiatus of the original band. We needed a singer and when Paul arrived for the audition we looked no further. Our first dates were in Australia, total sell-outs which boded well for the future. Europe followed suit and 3 sold out nights at the Marquee in London produced a live album, video and DVD. 'Live at the Marquee' did well in various charts around the world and Paul's vocal performance has stood the test of time. "PMD was the original singer with Iron Maiden and had a stint with the band More before joining Sweet. "He passed away peacefully at his home in Australia. My deepest condolences to his wife Cecily and family and friends. A sad day for all Sweet fans. Andy x." Current frontman Bruce has been leading the Trooper rockers since 1981, first appearing on the LP The Number of the Beast.
West Australian
30-07-2025
- West Australian
Paul Mario Day: Tributes pour in for Iron Maiden, More and Sweet star following his death
Paul Mario Day, the London-born and Australian-based original lead singer of Iron Maiden, has died at the age of 69. The music legend 'passed away peacefully' at his home in Newcastle , NSW . He had reportedly been battling cancer. His death has triggered a wave of tributes from within the music and broader entertainment industry, including from his former bands. 'Paul was a huge part of the new wave of British heavy metal from his time in an early version of Iron Maiden and of course his fantastic performance on the Warhead album,' British heavy metal outfit More posted of their bandmate. 'He was a well loved figure in British rock music and played many memorable shows, not least the legendary 1981 Monsters of Rock show at Castle Donington with AC/DC, Whitesnake/David Coverdale as well as tours with Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and many other legendary artists. Current More vocalist Mike Freeland 'remembers him fondly as a bloody great vocalist', the band said. 'It's an honour for us to continue to play his music and we will always think of him every time we hit the opening notes to Warhead,' More continued. 'We send our deepest condolences to Paul's family and friends and also the many fans around the world who love his music. 'Play his music loud and sing along. Rock in peace Paul.' Day, born in April of 1956, joined Iron Maiden as their original singer in 1975. But his stay with the band was short-lived and he was kicked out less than a year later, replaced by Dennis Wilcock. The exit was blamed on Day's reported lack stage presence. '(Bassist) Steve (Harris) was saying, 'You've got to get better. You've got to be more in the audience's face. You've got to be commanding. You've got to be a hero,' Day previously told Blabbermouth of his exit. 'And I agreed with him but I didn't actually know how to make that happen. 'As much as it hurt, as much as it upset me, I learnt a big lesson that day. I really did. I used that emotion, I guess, in my singing.' Day would form More four years after leaving Iron Maiden, and the band released their debut album, Warhead, in 1981. He later fronted bands including Wildfire and a reformed version of Sweet. 'In 1985 Mick Tucker and myself put together the first new line-up of Sweet after the hiatus of the original band. We needed a singer and when Paul arrived for the audition, we looked no further,' guitarist Andy Scott said. 'Our first dates were in Australia, total sell-outs which boded well for the future. 'Europe followed suit and three sold out nights at the Marquee in London produced a live album, video and DVD. 'Live at the Marquee did well in various charts around the world and Paul's vocal performance has stood the test of time. 'He passed away peacefully at his home in Australia. My deepest condolences to his wife Cecily and family and friends. 'A sad day for all Sweet fans.' Day had lived in Australian since the mid 1980s.
Perth Now
30-07-2025
- Perth Now
Australian music legend dies aged 69: ‘Rock in peace'
Paul Mario Day, the London-born and Australian-based original lead singer of Iron Maiden, has died at the age of 69. The music legend 'passed away peacefully' at his home in Newcastle, NSW. He had reportedly been battling cancer. His death has triggered a wave of tributes from within the music and broader entertainment industry, including from his former bands. 'Paul was a huge part of the new wave of British heavy metal from his time in an early version of Iron Maiden and of course his fantastic performance on the Warhead album,' British heavy metal outfit More posted of their bandmate. 'He was a well loved figure in British rock music and played many memorable shows, not least the legendary 1981 Monsters of Rock show at Castle Donington with AC/DC, Whitesnake/David Coverdale as well as tours with Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and many other legendary artists. Current More vocalist Mike Freeland 'remembers him fondly as a bloody great vocalist', the band said. 'It's an honour for us to continue to play his music and we will always think of him every time we hit the opening notes to Warhead,' More continued. 'We send our deepest condolences to Paul's family and friends and also the many fans around the world who love his music. 'Play his music loud and sing along. Rock in peace Paul.' Day, born in April of 1956, joined Iron Maiden as their original singer in 1975. But his stay with the band was short-lived and he was kicked out less than a year later, replaced by Dennis Wilcock. The exit was blamed on Day's reported lack stage presence. '(Bassist) Steve (Harris) was saying, 'You've got to get better. You've got to be more in the audience's face. You've got to be commanding. You've got to be a hero,' Day previously told Blabbermouth of his exit. 'And I agreed with him but I didn't actually know how to make that happen. 'As much as it hurt, as much as it upset me, I learnt a big lesson that day. I really did. I used that emotion, I guess, in my singing.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Day would form More four years after leaving Iron Maiden, and the band released their debut album, Warhead, in 1981. He later fronted bands including Wildfire and a reformed version of Sweet. 'In 1985 Mick Tucker and myself put together the first new line-up of Sweet after the hiatus of the original band. We needed a singer and when Paul arrived for the audition, we looked no further,' guitarist Andy Scott said. 'Our first dates were in Australia, total sell-outs which boded well for the future. 'Europe followed suit and three sold out nights at the Marquee in London produced a live album, video and DVD. 'Live at the Marquee did well in various charts around the world and Paul's vocal performance has stood the test of time. 'He passed away peacefully at his home in Australia. My deepest condolences to his wife Cecily and family and friends. 'A sad day for all Sweet fans.' Day had lived in Australian since the mid 1980s.
