RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2026

When I saw them last year they were absolutely on fire. Especially Dave, who seemed to be having the time of his life.
Haven't seen them this year, but from videos that I've seen they still seem to be having a blast.

I think going with certain expectations into the concert, as well as things like where you're standing/sitting, who the people around you are, stuff like weather or traffic troubles to get to the location, and so on, all that can colour one's perception of a show. I had a very negative experience for the first two songs last year, because a couple of drunk assholes suddenly appeared and violently thrashed around. Just an example, but that's not something that can be blamed on the band.
 
We're WELL overdue for a reunion-focused tour. They haven't really hit on BNW/DoD/AMOLAD since pre-TFF. I'd love to see some of those songs again.
During LOTB the have played FGGOG blood brothers and wickerman. But nothing like this
THe should do something like this again but with better songs snd they have it

 
I watched a couple videos that @onurb posted. Of course I wasn't there, but I didn't get that perception about Dave and Adrian from what I could tell. I will cut them some slack though, they're pushing 70. God knows they are getting around better than me and I'll be 61 in a month. 57th show that's amazing, I'm jealous, heh. Sorry you left disappointed.

Didn't leave disappointed, but something was differenty really. It's still Maiden, so it was fun anyway of course. But indeed, from having the comparision to 56 previous shows yet, it's more than just a feeling to me that it was very routine last night.
 
The last shows of Future Past (which I saw in Australia in 2024) closed a chapter that began in 1999. We are in a new chapter now and they still want to play for the fanbase, which is great, but it is undeniably different.
Interesting point! Perhaps the RFYL-thread isn't the ideal place for going deeper into this, anyway, can you explain your thoughts about exactly this a little more? Just curious! Thanks a lot m8!
 
Booked a refundable coach for Knebworth and I'm going to try and snag a cheap ticket nearer the date.

They are now offering family tickets at a reduced price (4 for 3 with free parking) and I have received an e-mail about a Trooper competition to get free tickets. I imagine there will be many more of these promotions nearer the date of the gig.
 
The takeaway from these early shows mainly reinforces the majority opinion that Bruce needs to use IEMs.
The thing with IEM's and singers is that some simply cannot sing with them in. I'd imagine Bruce is one of them.

If that is the case, they should absolutely find a way to monitor the ramp better, since that's where most mistakes by Bruce happen. Especially now that there is no hole behind, since there is no backdrops.
 
@matic22 said:

The thing with IEM's and singers is that some simply cannot sing with them in. I'd imagine Bruce is one of them.
What exactly do you mean by this? It would be a learning curve, sure, but "not being able to sing with IEM's" doesn't make sense to me.
 
With IEMs would you hear your own voice in the mix or no? I wouldn't think so. I ask because when I do broadcasting if I hear my own voice in my headphones when I'm talking it completely throws me off, can't do it.
 
I can easily imagine Bruce finding IEMs difficult. Suppose it's a bit of an Old Dogs New Tricks thing as well, would be a big change after such a long career.

IEMs change your entire sense of yourself and the stage. All the natural acoustics and vibes are gone and replaced with something that feels very synthetic and artificial even if it helps you stay in time and tune.

He's someone who has gone to great lengths to explain time and time again about doing things in a natural and old school way, often to the point of making himself look daft...

Keyboards in metal...
Will never use lyric screens while changing or forgetting words all the time...
We'll never tune down...
We never use pro tools etc...

So while a lot of these examples are ones where he'd have been better not saying anything, he's at least consistent in wanting to do things naturally and IEMs don't fit that vibe at all.

Having said all that I agree he should swallow his pride and consider giving it a go as the timing issues are getting out of hand. A band this good shouldn't be having so many mistakes.
 
I can easily imagine Bruce finding IEMs difficult. Suppose it's a bit of an Old Dogs New Tricks thing as well, would be a big change after such a long career.

IEMs change your entire sense of yourself and the stage. All the natural acoustics and vibes are gone and replaced with something that feels very synthetic and artificial even if it helps you stay in time and tune.

He's someone who has gone to great lengths to explain time and time again about doing things in a natural and old school way, often to the point of making himself look daft...

Keyboards in metal...
Will never use lyric screens while changing or forgetting words all the time...
We'll never tune down...
We never use pro tools etc...

So while a lot of these examples are ones where he'd have been better not saying anything, he's at least consistent in wanting to do things naturally and IEMs don't fit that vibe at all.

Having said all that I agree he should swallow his pride and consider giving it a go as the timing issues are getting out of hand. A band this good shouldn't be having so many mistakes.
At least he uses earplugs but since 2000 not before. And according to the photos not usually but ive seen him with that
 
With IEMs would you hear your own voice in the mix or no? I wouldn't think so. I ask because when I do broadcasting if I hear my own voice in my headphones when I'm talking it completely throws me off, can't do it.
You get to create your own mix. You can hear as much or as little of your own voice as you like.

I can easily imagine Bruce finding IEMs difficult. Suppose it's a bit of an Old Dogs New Tricks thing as well, would be a big change after such a long career.

IEMs change your entire sense of yourself and the stage. All the natural acoustics and vibes are gone and replaced with something that feels very synthetic and artificial even if it helps you stay in time and tune.

He's someone who has gone to great lengths to explain time and time again about doing things in a natural and old school way, often to the point of making himself look daft...

Keyboards in metal...
Will never use lyric screens while changing or forgetting words all the time...
We'll never tune down...
We never use pro tools etc...

So while a lot of these examples are ones where he'd have been better not saying anything, he's at least consistent in wanting to do things naturally and IEMs don't fit that vibe at all.

Having said all that I agree he should swallow his pride and consider giving it a go as the timing issues are getting out of hand. A band this good shouldn't be having so many mistakes.
It’s definitely a learning curve, but it would absolutely solve his timing issues. His IEM mix could have crowd sound, reverb, room mics, whatever to sound as “open air” as possible…he’d just actually be able to hear the rhythm and timing.

He should absolutely swallow his pride and stop looking daft. But as usual with Maiden - stubbornness will prevail.
 
What exactly do you mean by this? It would be a learning curve, sure, but "not being able to sing with IEM's" doesn't make sense to me.
It's stuffing your ears while singing. Multiple singers who don't use IEMs spoke about this. Sammy Hagar is one of them. They simply cannot have something in their ears. A friend of mine bought a wireless IEM system when we used to play covers and he went to the stage without trying it. Mind you, nowadays you have phone apps and you can adjust your IEM mix yourself. But he simply couldn't sing with them.

Also, part of Bruce's singing style is opening his mouth really wide and singing with power. Massive jaw movements can compromise the sound with IEMs. Stage and audience perception is another thing that is really different with IEMs, even with ambience microphones. I love IEMs and I use them most of the time when I play and even when I tech for a bigger band. But I can see why someone can have a problem with them, especially the singer.
 
You get to create your own mix. You can hear as much or as little of your own voice as you like.


It’s definitely a learning curve, but it would absolutely solve his timing issues. His IEM mix could have crowd sound, reverb, room mics, whatever to sound as “open air” as possible…he’d just actually be able to hear the rhythm and timing.

He should absolutely swallow his pride and stop looking daft. But as usual with Maiden - stubbornness will prevail.
I think they were the last bands to not use the cable for the guitars lol you know....
 
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Even ear plugs take some getting used to. It really throws off your equilibrium so I do get it. But it's starting to feel more and more like Maiden's inherent stubbornness will be what ultimately does them in.

It's their biggest strength and weakness. I just wish they didn't choose to die on every single hill
 
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Bruce wears ear plugs right? But OEMs also offer hearing protection so probably does make more sense.
Only other thing i can think of is, i have some mild hearing loss in my right ear from playing in bands and going to gigs without protection and if i listen to music with ear phones the difference from left to right ear is quite noticeable and not in a good way.

Listening to music on normal speakers i don't notice that effect at all though ..
 
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