“The amount of phone use nowadays diminishes enjoyment” — Iron Maiden’s manager requests fans to limit their gadget usage during upcoming tour

English heavy metal band Iron Maiden will be embarking on its 'Run for Your Lives' world tour. However, the band’s manager, Rod Smallwood, has a request for all the fans.

On May 20, 2025, Smallwood took to the band’s website and posted a notice, urging fans to put their phones away during the shows. In his statement, Smallwood said:

“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.”

He added:

“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.”

According to the post, Iron Maiden was formed in 1975 by band member Steve Harris. The tour will commemorate the 50th year of the band’s formation. The statement explained that Iron Maiden wanted fans to enjoy the concert like people did when the songs were first performed live in the 1980s.

To help create that experience, they asked the audience not to record too much of the show using their devices. The tour will begin on May 27, 2025, in Budapest.

Iron Maiden wants its fans to enjoy the moment

In his statement, Rod Smallwood urged fans to be "in the moment" and be involved in the way these songs ask you to be; to enjoy the songs in the spirit that they were originally played and enjoyed.

“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.”

He added:

“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 will have Iron Maiden perform 31 shows across different venues. Meanwhile, according to a report by National World, although tickets for the tour have been sold out, a few will be made available at least a day prior to the respective show. At the time of writing, limited seats are available for the May 28, 2025 show at the London Stadium.

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Iron Maiden has also launched 50th anniversary merchandise on their website. Goodies like t-shirts and hoodies can be purchased from ironmaiden.com.

Band member Bruce Dickinson’s book, The Mandrake Project: Year One, will be released on August 5, 2025. This book will cover interviews and essays from Dickinson and the band’s tenure.

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