Iconic rock band issues warning to fans as they introduce controversial new concert rule ahead of tour
When famous rock bands start touring again, you know things are going to get interesting – particularly when they try to take you back to the good old days.
Imagine this: you’re in the sun, you’ve got an ice-cold drink in your hand, there’s your favorite artist playing on stage...and you’re fully immersed in the moment.
It sounds like a dream, and usually, that’s because in modern days, there’s something that takes your attention during such events.
However, in a bid to right some wrongs, Iron Maiden is getting back to basics.
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The Run To The Hills hit-makers, announced their Run For Your Lives Tour, and then updated everyone just days ago (February 26), that the band will end their global run in Japan in November.
Press materials revealed it’ll be ‘the very last shows the band will play until at least 2028’, as they’ll be taking 2027 off.
Having started last May, and picking back up this May, they’ll be traveling to gig in places like Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, the US and also announced dates in Australia too.
When they return to the Aussie lands, however, they revealed that they’ve got something big planned.
The band's manager, Rod Smallwood, said there will be a phone ban, similar to last year.
“It was really special on our European dates last year to see that the vast majority of our fans appreciated and respected our request to severely limit their use of phones at our concerts,” he said via the band’s website.
He added: “Our fans' understanding and cooperation made a colossal difference to the atmosphere of every show and increased the enjoyment enormously for the band and fans alike.”
The warning said to concert-goers to, ‘enjoy the show "in the moment" rather than film on their phones. Please keep them in your pockets.’
Whilst some people might be annoyed at this, it’s better to live in the moment...right?
Well, there has been a debate online about exactly this topic.
This is because there are those who are update it could pose as a safety risk, while others are all for it.
One person wrote: "I think that’s why I’m iffy about the phone ban just because when they first announced it I had in my mind that we were going to get more filming of it, I love watching all the photos come out but I was hoping for a lot more film of it, just hope next tour it’s all figured out."
Another said: "Idk like it seems kinda unsafe to go phone free in an arena …. I get small venues and listening parties but like imagine loosing your friend in the crowd or trying to find your ride home while 23,000 are also trying to get their phones."
A user wrote: "you guys are acting as if they’re going to lock your phones away forever as soon as you leave the venue or probably even leave your seating block they’ll unlock your phone and coop live has ZERO phone or wifi signal inside so you can’t contact anyone till youre outside regardless."
Someone else said: "is it not a normal thing to arrange a spot to meet if you get separated or just say meet at the car after the show? surely thats just common sense."
However, Iron Maiden isn’t the only musical band or artist to impose something like this.
Honestly, isn’t it better to enjoy it without having a screen between you and your idol?
Bob Dylan banned mobiles during his Rough And Rowdy Ways UK tour, Jack White banned them for his gigs too, Placebo have long been phone-free, Yeah Yeah Yeahs have implemented similar practices, whilst Ghost uses Yondr Pouches – a pouch that securely locks away mobile devices – so people can continue to have their phones on them, but not be able to access them.
Topics: Music, Australia, Technology
Britt Jones