Iron Maiden’s Manager Hopes Fans Breaking Their ‘No Phones’ Rule Get “A Very Sore Arm”

A couple of weeks ago, we warned you all that Iron Maiden had one small request for fans attending their 50th anniversary Run For Your Lives World Tour. The band’s manager Rod Smallwood emphasized that they wanted attendees to enjoy the show like they would in the late 80s: a.k.a. spending less time on their phones and devices.

Now fast-forward to Tuesday, May 27, and the legendary band officially kicked off the aforementioned tourwith a show at Budapest Aréna. Reflecting on the show, Smallwood had a small complaint to make regarding a “selfish few” couldn’t resist taking their phones out.

His full statement reads:

“Thank you Budapest – A note from Rod

“Well, what a way of starting this monumental tour with a couple of sold-out nights In Budapest. It was the perfect place to open this tour – a great venue, an incredible city, in fact, one of my favourites, and you very passionate Hungarian fans. And of course, not forgetting the travelling fans that came from far and very wide to experience the excitement of the big reveal! To see hundreds of fans and FC members in the aptly-named Heroes Square the day before the first show was fantastic as always.

“We were delighted to see the reaction and appreciation for the new production that has enabled everyone to experience these iconic songs in a way we’ve never been able to before. This was quite an operation to achieve but we will let you have more insight into that very soon.

“We also want to acknowledge the amazing welcome you gave Simon on his first shows with us. He felt your support from the start — and asks me to thank you all.

“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!

“But they were few, and we do hope this support from fans, especially in the floor area in front of the sound desk, continues in Prague tomorrow and beyond. 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.

“On we go now to the first huge outdoor show and another fantastic sold out crowd waiting for us. We’re starting to hit our stride already and it’s going to be some ride for these next couple of months.

“See you there.”

I mean, it’s a difficult one, isn’t it? You can’t expect fans not to want to capture a moment like this. It’s normal to want to keep these memories forever, and what better way than to take photos and videos? Then again, concert etiquette has seemingly become less and less of a standard practice at shows, and it is a bit annoying to see some fans glued to their screens throughout.

Surely, there’s a better middle ground here.

Alas. Moving forward, Iron Maiden are continuing shows across the UK and Europe for the rest of the summer, with The Raven Age, Halestorm and Avatar joining them for select dates. See the full list of tour dates below.