RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2025 Tour Thread *SPOILERS INSIDE*
- Thread starter Perun
- Start date
FTB
Stranger in a Strange Board
P
Probably won't make it. I'll be there around 18:30 at best
FTB
Stranger in a Strange Board
You too
permanenteddie
Educated Fool
Thirty-six hours later, a quick review and my feelings on the Zurich concert and this tour in general:
To start at the very beginning, when I saw the announcement of the tour and the fact that for such an important anniversary tour, they were only going to concentrate on half their discography, I was a little disappointed. Then came the time to question myself and say:
a) are they going to continue what they did on the Legacy tour, but especially on the Future Past tour, with a number of songs that haven't been played for a very long time, if ever? or
b) are they going to reactivate safe mode and do yet another tour dedicated to the 80s, with the obvious excuse of going as far as the 9th album to play Fear of the Dark without fans being able to criticise the fact that it's in the set list (as was the case in 2008-2009)?
I resisted for a long time before finally giving in and seeing the setlist before the concert, and my fears were confirmed: yet another 80s setlist + Fear of the Dark. No prayer for the dying... what's that? A deep cut, a song we haven't played since the 80s or a song we've never played...what are you talking about? In your - infinite - dreams...we are going to play it very safe. Wrathchild, here it is, TNOTB, for sure, The Trooper, here we go again...oh there was just maybe The evil that men do missing...
But still I went to the show and at the end of the day what can I say: it was probably the less exciting show since my very first one back in 1995. Of course, I'm aware they're not eternal and that age has started to take its toll, specially when you're used to see Steve running all over the stage and jumping from the drum riser. Or Bruce jumping over the stage monitors. But probably what struck me the most was Dave, I was used to watch his legato style of playing and clearly now he wasn't moving his fingers as fast as he used to. As for the show itself, despite my thoughts about the setlist that I've mentionned above, of course I still enjoyed watching them play all these timeless classics with ROTAM being the best of the bunch.
Still I noticed some, I'm not gonna say big mistakes but quite a few hesitations here and there specially during the quiet parts of ROTAM and SSOASS like some of them didn't know when to move to the next part of the song (I have to listen to these parts again to check who did the mistakes).
Now for the new guy in the band, as a drummer (well beginner level but still), I'm undecided what to think. First of all, the first shock is clearly visual, the kit is so tiny. As for his playing, well I don't like easy criticism so I'm not going down that road but I have to say that the feeling of some songs was clearly different, the fills we were used to were not the same anymore, here and there some parts were clearly played quite differently. Of course, I'm not gonna criticize Simon himself since he looks like he's giving 110% and enjoying the gig. It's just that there is a clear change from what we were used for 40 years. So I won't say its worse, I'm just gonna say its...different.
Now for the visuals, again there were some that were really nice, again the one for ROTAM was clearly the best and some others were...let's say there's big room for improvement.
All in all a nice show but definitely not among the best ones I've witnessed through all these last 30 years
To start at the very beginning, when I saw the announcement of the tour and the fact that for such an important anniversary tour, they were only going to concentrate on half their discography, I was a little disappointed. Then came the time to question myself and say:
a) are they going to continue what they did on the Legacy tour, but especially on the Future Past tour, with a number of songs that haven't been played for a very long time, if ever? or
b) are they going to reactivate safe mode and do yet another tour dedicated to the 80s, with the obvious excuse of going as far as the 9th album to play Fear of the Dark without fans being able to criticise the fact that it's in the set list (as was the case in 2008-2009)?
I resisted for a long time before finally giving in and seeing the setlist before the concert, and my fears were confirmed: yet another 80s setlist + Fear of the Dark. No prayer for the dying... what's that? A deep cut, a song we haven't played since the 80s or a song we've never played...what are you talking about? In your - infinite - dreams...we are going to play it very safe. Wrathchild, here it is, TNOTB, for sure, The Trooper, here we go again...oh there was just maybe The evil that men do missing...
But still I went to the show and at the end of the day what can I say: it was probably the less exciting show since my very first one back in 1995. Of course, I'm aware they're not eternal and that age has started to take its toll, specially when you're used to see Steve running all over the stage and jumping from the drum riser. Or Bruce jumping over the stage monitors. But probably what struck me the most was Dave, I was used to watch his legato style of playing and clearly now he wasn't moving his fingers as fast as he used to. As for the show itself, despite my thoughts about the setlist that I've mentionned above, of course I still enjoyed watching them play all these timeless classics with ROTAM being the best of the bunch.
Still I noticed some, I'm not gonna say big mistakes but quite a few hesitations here and there specially during the quiet parts of ROTAM and SSOASS like some of them didn't know when to move to the next part of the song (I have to listen to these parts again to check who did the mistakes).
Now for the new guy in the band, as a drummer (well beginner level but still), I'm undecided what to think. First of all, the first shock is clearly visual, the kit is so tiny. As for his playing, well I don't like easy criticism so I'm not going down that road but I have to say that the feeling of some songs was clearly different, the fills we were used to were not the same anymore, here and there some parts were clearly played quite differently. Of course, I'm not gonna criticize Simon himself since he looks like he's giving 110% and enjoying the gig. It's just that there is a clear change from what we were used for 40 years. So I won't say its worse, I'm just gonna say its...different.
Now for the visuals, again there were some that were really nice, again the one for ROTAM was clearly the best and some others were...let's say there's big room for improvement.
All in all a nice show but definitely not among the best ones I've witnessed through all these last 30 years
Belshazzar
Yer Mum Can't Come
The band said this was as close to a "greatest hits" show that they're ever going to play, a celebration of their first ten years. It's not for Maiden fans, ironically, it's for the casual metal fan that knows a handful of songs. You really should have known that going in
I have to disagree with the Davey comments - he's been the MVP for this tour. He's really put the work in, re-learning the solos and keeping his stamina throughout the shows.
FTB
Stranger in a Strange Board
Well, probably me least favorite out of the 5 times I've seen them. Which doesn't mean it was bad.
Band was on fire , especially Bruce. They had some timing issues here and there but that's forgiven. Despite a "generic" setlist, I had a lot of fun. Seeing Rime and 7th Son live for the first Time was special.
The sound was awful. Very muddy and a lot of Echo. The stage was way too low for a gig in a 60k stadium, so I kind of had to rely on the screens, which by the way, were way too fuckin small. This is an indoor arena setup in a huge stadium, that's utterly stupid.
Nothing on the band itself, but this will be my last time visiting the Veltins Arena. Complete chaos trying to leave the parking lot. Took us 2 hours for 100 meters.
Band was on fire , especially Bruce. They had some timing issues here and there but that's forgiven. Despite a "generic" setlist, I had a lot of fun. Seeing Rime and 7th Son live for the first Time was special.
The sound was awful. Very muddy and a lot of Echo. The stage was way too low for a gig in a 60k stadium, so I kind of had to rely on the screens, which by the way, were way too fuckin small. This is an indoor arena setup in a huge stadium, that's utterly stupid.
Nothing on the band itself, but this will be my last time visiting the Veltins Arena. Complete chaos trying to leave the parking lot. Took us 2 hours for 100 meters.
Dick Brucinson
The TRUE Dick Brucinson
No, he said they HAVE BEEN around for a long time.
And he said his sister is German (married to a German, indeed).
Also he said we were his only friends in the world.
Dick Brucinson
The TRUE Dick Brucinson
My thoughts on Gelsenkirchen:
I was very negative beforehand a) about the fact Nicko has retired, and b) about the setlist.
All my worries faded. They were great, Simon brings a lot of new energy to the band, he is a sympathic guy, and the setlist worked amazingly well for me. Also the encore. The only thing that pisses me off: The ignorance on my favourite Maiden album, which is NPFTD.
But all in all: Great. And the screens made it very interesting and exciting. Looking fwd to Bremen next week.
I was very negative beforehand a) about the fact Nicko has retired, and b) about the setlist.
All my worries faded. They were great, Simon brings a lot of new energy to the band, he is a sympathic guy, and the setlist worked amazingly well for me. Also the encore. The only thing that pisses me off: The ignorance on my favourite Maiden album, which is NPFTD.
But all in all: Great. And the screens made it very interesting and exciting. Looking fwd to Bremen next week.
Too bad. It had made me quite optimistic that a person I know who was there told me Bruce said that Maiden would be around for a long time and already had been, 50 years.
I don't think they are planning to retire any time soon. They just decided to do this tour now, so that they are done with it and do whatever they want afterwards. They play some songs that are really challenging now, especially for Bruce and maybe that wouldn't be viable in 5-10 years time.
I feel that this will be the last tour they play Aces High, Rime and maybe even Hallowed or the songs off Killers. Maybe it's the last tour they play Seventh Son (not because of Bruce, he would still kill that in 10 years time - this kind of songs is his strength).
So we just need to appreciate this tour for what it is and then have patience and see what will be their next move.
The only certain thing imo is that many songs will get retired after this tour.
I feel that this will be the last tour they play Aces High, Rime and maybe even Hallowed or the songs off Killers. Maybe it's the last tour they play Seventh Son (not because of Bruce, he would still kill that in 10 years time - this kind of songs is his strength).
So we just need to appreciate this tour for what it is and then have patience and see what will be their next move.
The only certain thing imo is that many songs will get retired after this tour.
Dick Brucinson
The TRUE Dick Brucinson
I might have misheard what Bruno really said, your fellow buddy might be right. In fact, Bruno was quite talkative yesterday. I like when he is.
Vaenyr
Ancient Mariner
Yes and no, he was teasing the audience.
He said that they will be around for a long time. Then he said, they already have been (for 50 years) and then he turned it around and said "but I don't mean like that. I mean tonight. We are gonna play for a couple of hours or so".
So, he teased and joked about the future, but ultimately only made the typical "this night is just getting started, we will be playing so much music for you!" thing that many bands do.
Having said that, I believe that thanks to Simon they'll still go on for a few more years. I can see something like 5 or so still happening. Maybe another album, tour and then a farewell/LOTB style tour to finish everything off.
matic22
Ancient Mariner
Has he been demoted to Avatar's guitar tech?Screw you Rod, you can't stop me from taking pictures!
I'll post more detailed thoughts about the concert later or tomorrow or something.
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
I wouldn't say many. I guess: Murders, Killers, Phantom(not sure), Rime, Seventh Son and Aces. The big classics will return for sure.
This.
It wasn't that unlikely for us to expect 1-2 more big surprises, right.
Like on every tour. I think the show might not be that great for some fans because of the predictable setlist and because of the new vibe with Simon. The energy of the band is still there.
Blood On The World´s Hand
Educated Fool
Never doubted it, as I have constantly mentioned to the point of annoyance I just can´t see why they couldn´t do like 20-25 gigs per year with younger and healthier drummer. But I guess, as retirement speculation have been frequently around since 1988, it has become sort of part of the "journey" (for a want of a better term). Or running joke of some sort.
Vaenyr
Ancient Mariner
For the record, Bruce did not say that.