RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2025 Tour Thread *SPOILERS INSIDE*

Austrogoth said:
Any mention of coming back next here from Bruce at the end of the show?
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He just said they will return.
Trevoire said:
Simon I've not really clicked with. Really went in giving him a fair chance but I just don't think he's a good fit.
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I would say the opinions are mixed. I think Simon is more than a solid fit, but it's just that Nicko's live fills made the songs better and more interesting (and he also changed some songs live). Idk if it's because of the kit, but he plays more straightforward, with a bit of a Clive's style (more power than flexible), and we should get used to it. The tempo for some songs is more of an issue for me. I would like him to be a little more adventurous with the fills/hits (the ones in Rime, for example) and the double bass. I'm curious to hear him on other songs. The band sound great and tight now, like with Nicko before 2022.
 
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onurb said:
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About the Simon discussion, just listen closely to this Two Minutes To Midnight intro posted a few pages back. It's not even that difficult to play and he just can't, he does it different every night.


Or to the bridge that leads to Bruce screaming in ROTAM just after the slow wrecking ship part when Steve bass kicks in, there's no way to simplify a bit more that thing, listen to the Somewhere Back In Time ROTAM version, Nicko builds the hype for the scream very gracefully with his big smile in his face, now the drums there are almost gone.

Seventh Son beat is also blatantly different.

Just pay attention. It's very obvious Simon is out of the comfort zone with Nicko's songs, even with some "simple" parts from the songs. He's just an "ok" guy to get going. I can't imagin how Paschendale for example would sound with him on the drums, post-2000 material will be even harder for him, it may be slower, but because of that is easier to spot changes and notice cymbals, fills and rolls gone.

They say they didn't want a Nicko clone, so... If they are going to keep touring I really think they should make new songs that fit the new guy and let Simon do his thing after this tour. I don't know, is a weird statement considering 90% the stuff they play has that Nicko signature on it.

PD: Hi all, I've been reading you all from the shadows for a few years and just decided to register. Up the irons.
 
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Spaldy said:
Glasgow was phenomenal. The place was jumping. I got all sweaty in the mosh pit. Bruce smashed Aces by the way. Probably the best performance he's done on this tour.

And he got the Saltire out!
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Glasgow was indeed phenomenal, band on fire! And the crowd was superb, the whole place gieing it laldy.
I was at Prague earlier in the tour which I loved but this performance was a step above imo.
Also paid a visit to Eddie's Dive Bar at SWG3. Great atmosphere but not a patch on the Prague experience. Catering was shocking!
Hope they do it again on the next tour though!
 
srfc said:
Stadiums in residential areas have an early curfew
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I am really thankful for that. I was in my bed at 00:30 and getting there involved a tube ride from Stratford to London Waterloo, a train journey, and a short drive from the station to my house. I timed things so well that I was leaving the train station to get to my car at 2 minutes to midnight. :lol:

That being said, playing most of the show in daylight does have a negative effect on the light show. Anyway, I'd rather go to bed early!
 
I understand both the nature of the internet and this forum specifically so forgive me for sounding like That Angry Guy. Everyone's entitled to their opinions, blah blah blah...

I am so fucking sick of casual non-musicians whining and complaining about Simon Dawson I don't know what to do.

I keep trying to ignore it all but jeeezus...and I'm not defending him, I don't know the man nor anyone in the band/organization. But just from a musician's standpoint, it's all utter BS. The things that everyone seems to complain about are exactly the reasons why there weren't worldwide auditions and a public event made of the change.

You could not have had a more beautiful transition. Nicko squeezed out every last iota of playing from a body that had been stricken down and paralyzed. It was worse than was let on; his fight was to return to active function, drumming was literally a secondary consideration. And he not only did it but got back to a very high level of musicianship. For a drummer of his caliber, nothing less than the absolute best would do. I have immeasurable respect for that man.

It was handled internally, privately, respectfully...as it should have been. Anything else would have been undignified.

As a musician, here is what I know; caveat, whether or not this applies to Maiden I don't pretend to know but I'm willing to be wrong if I am:

- The band's comfort and preference matters far more than yours. You as a fan are welcome to come along for the ride but that's the extent of your say in their choices;

- Maiden is a big enough entity that if they weren't happy or satisfied, they'd have made a different choice and the public would never know. Remember, they'd rehearsed TFP set with Simon during that tour and no one knew;

- Playing at home, in a small club, or for Instagram likes is a far, far cry from playing a show with numerous cues and theatrical elements before 70,000+ fans in London Stadium;

- Playing live and listening to a live show are two very different experiences. The band couldn't care less what individual bits the drummer plays as his/her personal form of expression; they are listening to the beats, the counts, the cues, the foundation beneath them driving the rhythm.

- For fuck's sake, the difference between Simon's and Nicko's kits are a few extra custom sized toms and some cymbals. Nicko's set had 11 pieces, Simon's has 7. A traditional drum set has five. Neil Peart stated that he could play all of Rush's songs on a traditional five piece. Give it a rest.

- The main difference that I hear between the two players is that Simon's sound is more bottom-focused and straightforward whereas Nick had a more midrangey tone with a looser feel. I think this may be where Bruce's original statement about Simon reminding him of Clive came from. If you go back and listen to Maiden's recordings with Clive, you'll hear that straight-ahead vibe...focused, darker. Its not a good or bad thing; its just feel. As a guitarist, I want that meter and vibe to stay right there in the pocket and not move. There's a reason why many fans are saying the band sounds tighter now...

- Lastly, don't pay me any mind. Its late, I'm up and just venting. If anything, I wish people had more informed opinions than simply saying whatever emotional, unfounded feelings came to mind. I've seen the responses he receives when introduced to the crowds and they appear very pleased. And that's all that matters. There's not one song in that set that I hear and say "Whoa, that's not how that song is supposed to be played." He's doing his job and I have to think the band & management are pleased.
 
After some contemplating, last night was definitely in my top 5 Maiden concerts. It might even be their best show of this tour so far. Bruce's voice was in top form, Simon smashed it and there were very few mistakes. Dave was the MVP of the night going all in on his solos.

Steve seemed really fired up which, given that this took place 2 nights after their big homecoming show I thought was a nice bit of appreciation. His enthusiasm seemed to feedback into the crowd who were bouncing about everywhere. I'm also glad that this was an indoor show just to get the full benefit of the light show and sound quality.

I have a nerdy, technical niggle though which is that the backdrop graphics need to run at a higher framerate, especially the "big Eddie" on IM. If they want to make it look as realistic as one of the traditional puppets, 25fps isn't going to cut it. Especially since the screens on either side seems to be running at 60fps which created a juxtaposition.

And a final word to the armchair critics who have been slagging them off this whole tour, get off your lazy arses and go see them. The experience is completely different than watching it on a phone.

Up the Irons once again.1000027807.jpg
 
btx109 said:
I am so fucking sick of casual non-musicians whining and complaining about Simon Dawson I don't know what to do.
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I guess all forums will have to shut down and people will have to shut the fuck up so anybody is offended, seems like it's forbidden to talk about Iron Maiden in an Iron Maiden discussion forum, fucking crazy people wants to talk about the +40 years drummer being gone and his replacement.

Well, my first and last message here it seems, that's why I didn't register for years and was only reading.
 
Kalata said:
He just said they will return.
...
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That must mean confirmation that this pessimistic assumption that this is the last Maiden tour is not true, right?

Skunkworks said:
....

They say they didn't want a Nicko clone, so... If they are going to keep touring I really think they should make new songs that fit the new guy and let Simon do his thing after this tour. ...
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I could only imagine that if new songs are developed while jamming and Simon is there as the drummer.
 
Skunkworks said:
I guess all forums will have to shut down and people will have to shut the fuck up so anybody is offended, seems like it's forbidden to talk about Iron Maiden in an Iron Maiden discussion forum, fucking crazy people wants to talk about the +40 years drummer being gone and his replacement.

Well, my first and last message here it seems, that's why I didn't register for years and was only reading.
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No, why? You can post your opinion, no matter whether it is different from other opinions.
 
Skunkworks said:
I guess all forums will have to shut down and people will have to shut the fuck up so anybody is offended, seems like it's forbidden to talk about Iron Maiden in an Iron Maiden discussion forum, fucking crazy people wants to talk about the +40 years drummer being gone and his replacement.

Well, my first and last message here it seems, that's why I didn't register for years and was only reading.
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Got a good laugh at you going on about people not being able to take offence then throwing a tantrum and doing a runner because someone offended you.
 
Skunkworks said:
I guess all forums will have to shut down and people will have to shut the fuck up so anybody is offended, seems like it's forbidden to talk about Iron Maiden in an Iron Maiden discussion forum, fucking crazy people wants to talk about the +40 years drummer being gone and his replacement.

Well, my first and last message here it seems, that's why I didn't register for years and was only reading.
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Oh, please. No one singled you out, attacked you or requested you to leave. I literally said "Lastly, don't pay me any mind. Its late, I'm up and just venting." If your experience was truly spoiled by the new drummer, that's unfortunate and unintended. What do I know, I think Joe Holmes was a much better fit for Randy Rhoads' material than Zakk Wylde and I think Slash is vastly overrated as a player. Now, I can go into the musical reasons why I feel that way but that's another thing altogether.
 
I'm not offended, I'm just sad about how quick things go irrespectful and how is impossible to talk about anything.

We are here to discuss, argue and talk about the band and others opinions. I made a single post, talking ONLY about music, not a single personal reference or a bad word towards Simon or anyone, just to get all that "whining and complaining and all utter BS and I'm totally the only guitar player on this music forum I know what I'm talking".

Nothing said about the 2 Minutes Intro drumming being just bad. Nothing about Seventh Son verse drums rhythm being totally changed and sounding like brazilian samba stuff. Nothing about how Rime has lost tons of his accents and many stuff that made it special, even the gong. Just bashing other opinions for the sake of it. "Stop whining, it sounds perfect to my expert musician ears, you don't know shit, Maiden couldn't get anything better".

Well? Okay I guess? Let's talk about each others "moaning" instead of discussing why something is played in a way instead of another, about Maiden having made the right choice or not or if we miss the gong.

Whatever.
 
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Skunkworks said:
I guess all forums will have to shut down and people will have to shut the fuck up so anybody is offended, seems like it's forbidden to talk about Iron Maiden in an Iron Maiden discussion forum, fucking crazy people wants to talk about the +40 years drummer being gone and his replacement.

Well, my first and last message here it seems, that's why I didn't register for years and was only reading.
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Please do not leave. We are all fans and sharing our different views is what makes the place worth visiting.

For what is worth, I agree with you and some other members who have seen the show live. I think Simon is a solid drummer and the safe choice for keeping things in the Maiden family with no outsiders joining this late in the band’s career, but I think he is nowhere near as good as Nicko McBrain. As I said, I particularly missed the latter on the two epics, where Simon’s drumming lacked the fluidity that the songs required.
 
Spaldy said:
After some contemplating, last night was definitely in my top 5 Maiden concerts. It might even be their best show of this tour so far. Bruce's voice was in top form, Simon smashed it and there were very few mistakes. Dave was the MVP of the night going all in on his solos.

Steve seemed really fired up which, given that this took place 2 nights after their big homecoming show I thought was a nice bit of appreciation. His enthusiasm seemed to feedback into the crowd who were bouncing about everywhere. I'm also glad that this was an indoor show just to get the full benefit of the light show and sound quality.

I have a nerdy, technical niggle though which is that the backdrop graphics need to run at a higher framerate, especially the "big Eddie" on IM. If they want to make it look as realistic as one of the traditional puppets, 25fps isn't going to cut it. Especially since the screens on either side seems to be running at 60fps which created a juxtaposition.

And a final word to the armchair critics who have been slagging them off this whole tour, get off your lazy arses and go see them. The experience is completely different than watching it on a phone.

Up the Irons once again.View attachment 42974
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The whole screens set is good the recreate all the albums and themes but it works in a dark venue,during daylight looks bad. The big eddie during iron maiden had to be a classic big eddie but thats the way it is on this tour. Anyway is a great set. And the band show that they can play all at his 60s (aces high apart)
 
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