Legendary heavy metal band Iron Maiden is asking fans to put their phones away during its upcoming tour. The group issued the request in a statement posted to its official website on Tuesday.
“Put away your phones and get ready to Run For Your Lives,” the message begins — a nod to the name of their 2025 world tour, which marks 50 years since bassist Steve Harris founded the band in 1975.
The band promises a special setlist spanning songs from nine of their studio albums, from Iron Maiden to Fear of the Dark. The tour is being billed as their most elaborate and visually spectacular show to date.
To honor the spirit of their early years, Iron Maiden is encouraging concertgoers to limit mobile phone use during performances. The band wants fans to experience the concert as audiences did in the 1980s, without the distraction of screens.
“In common with many other artists, the band are now asking their fans not to excessively film the concerts on their phones or tablets,” the statement reads.
Rod Smallwood, Iron Maiden’s longtime manager, explained the reasoning behind the request. “We really want fans to enjoy the shows first hand, rather than on their small screens,” he said.
He added that widespread phone use has started to impact the live experience. “It diminishes enjoyment — not just for the band, who see rows of phones from the stage, but also for other fans in the audience.”
Smallwood emphasized that fan energy and engagement are a big part of what makes Iron Maiden’s concerts unique. However, he said the increasing obsession with phone filming has become a distraction.
“We hope fans will understand and respect this request by limiting phone camera use during the shows,” he said.
Iron Maiden first announced the Run For Your Lives tour in September 2024. While no North American dates have been confirmed yet, the tour is expected to continue into 2026, and additional stops are likely to be announced.
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