RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2026

Hendrike said:
And as for the others, I think it’s more of a projection than anything else. There isn’t really any concrete evidence to point to.
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This.
People want Maiden to be worn out, so they start making things up. Maiden still has plenty of fire in their belly. I've seen them many times, and last year was probably the best they’ve sounded in years from a motivation and energy standpoint. They were fully committed and full of energy.

The fact that they changed the setlist for the second leg of a tour that will, for the most part, visit places that had never seen this tour before, and added a song they hadn't played in nearly 40 years, is also a good sign.

I think we're simply witnessing some fans growing tired of the band after seeing them live for 40 years. Not because the band itself has problems, but because they simply don't want to follow it anymore (rightfully so, I would add). I mean, people are complaining about them returning to Europe so soon. I never saw any fan of any band complaining about the possibility of seeing their favorite act one more time. "What? They're playing in my courtyard again? How dare they! Moneygrab!"
 
ShadowOfTheGods said:
This.
People want Maiden to be worn out, so they start making things up. Maiden still has plenty of fire in their belly. I've seen them many times, and last year was probably the best they’ve sounded in years from a motivation and energy standpoint. They were fully committed and full of energy.

The fact that they changed the setlist for the second leg of a tour that will, for the most part, visit places that had never seen this tour before, and added a song they hadn't played in nearly 40 years, is also a good sign.

I think we're simply witnessing some fans growing tired of the band after seeing them live for 40 years. Not because the band itself has problems, but because they simply don't want to follow it anymore (rightfully so, I would add). I mean, people are complaining about them returning to Europe so soon. I never saw any fan of any band complaining about the possibility of seeing their favorite act one more time. "What? They're playing in my courtyard again? How dare they! Moneygrab!"
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And the stadiums are full. Big stadiums. I dont think they will do more than 2 more tours. But they are a good live band for sure maybe not as 80s 90s or 00s but they play great..

Btw bruce in august will be 68 years old.
 
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dickinson1978 said:
And the stadiums are full. Big stadiums.
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Not all of the stadium shows, but again, Maiden have only recently entered their "stadium era". Selling out a 45,000 capacity stadium in Hannover would have been unthinkable in 2018. elling out a 45,000 capacity stadium in Hannover while also headlining two sold-out 90,000 attendance festivals, less than a year after selling out six shows on the same tour (four of them stadiums as well), would have been downright impossible.
 
With the impending filming of the Paris gig and the following video release, I doubt Maiden will allow anyone to broadcast their gig. The most we can hope for is a teaser in the form of a song or two, maybe just before Knebworth if we are lucky to boost sales.
 
Prowler said:
Every other tour being a "hit tour" is not an issue imo. That's what happened for the whole reunion era. After the Future Past tour it's only fair to have a hits tour. The next one will be something different and then maybe another hits tour.
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I think after The Future Past a standard hits tour was the necessary call. Future Past was as niche of a tour as you could get focusing on a 'new album' that was two years old at that point and a classic album that, legacy-wise, isn't as highly regarded as the one preceding it and the one following it.
 
Flaming Blimp Crash said:
I think after The Future Past a standard hits tour was the necessary call. Future Past was as niche of a tour as you could get focusing on a 'new album' that was two years old at that point and a classic album that, legacy-wise, isn't as highly regarded as the one preceding it and the one following it.
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I’ve always felt TFP Tour was the perfect tour for us hardcore fans. That setlist was absolutely insane. But there were a few people around me after the show I saw in 2024 surprised they didn’t play Number of the Beast.

Of course I’m thrilled that later this year I’ll see a “hits” type tour that still has a ton of songs I’ve never seen them play (Murders, Killers, Phantom, ID, Rime, Seventh Son) or that I’ve not heard live in 7-9 years (2MTM, Powerslave, Wrathchild)
 
ShadowOfTheGods said:
Not all of the stadium shows, but again, Maiden have only recently entered their "stadium era". Selling out a 45,000 capacity stadium in Hannover would have been unthinkable in 2018. elling out a 45,000 capacity stadium in Hannover while also headlining two sold-out 90,000 attendance festivals, less than a year after selling out six shows on the same tour (four of them stadiums as well), would have been downright impossible.
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Hannover. Amazing. Cant wait to see san siro. They should start the show at 2130 or 22h but we all know that they ve been stsrting thr shows at 21h for the last 30 years, at 23h they are at tjhe hotel lol.
 
Helmuth Von Moltke said:
Just my feelings as well in the transition from 2024 to 2025. The usual reasons (No Nicko, screens, set list from 40 years ago...). Plus the band reaching their 70s.

More importantly, (and I posted this on the official forum recently), the main messages used by the band since 1999 are running out of road:

- this band exists as a vital entity because of new music
- only playing older songs is 'cabaret'

...these messages have vanishing relevance. Not because Maiden's done anything wrong, but because of the sheer duration of the reunion era, 27 years long and counting. I'm sure maiden thought they might get 10 or 15 years at most back with Bruce but here we happily are. I feel the messages need updating to reflect the band's vibe now. If it is hits tours into the sunset then so be it. But RFYL is the first time since 1999 that things have felt very different for me. It's the first tour that feels slightly 'corporate', but I'm not sure why I think that, and I'm being unfair given that it always was a business anyway.
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My friend and I said the gig felt different last time. The band sounded great, but it wasn’t the best show. Especially when compared to the BOS, LOTB and TFP tours.
 
Ascendingthethrone said:
My friend and I said the gig felt different last time. The band sounded great, but it wasn’t the best show. Especially when compared to the BOS, LOTB and TFP tours.
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Although the LED screens don't bother me much, I can understand why some fans think the current tour feels different:

1. Stage production was better on BOS, LOTB1&2 and TFP tours.
2. No Nicko.
 
I really don’t agree that The Future Past Tour was a better show than Run For Your Lives. TFP was one of the least interesting stageshows Maiden have done in a long time.
 
dickinson1978 said:
Hannover. Amazing. Cant wait to see san siro. They should start the show at 2130 or 22h but we all know that they ve been stsrting thr shows at 21h for the last 30 years, at 23h they are at tjhe hotel lol.
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To me it sounds like they still haven't sorted out Killers. The part after Adrian's solo. They don’t seem to be playing the same arrangement. Anyone else hear the same?
 
Dick Brucinson said:
Very interesting, thank you! And if now you were so kind sharing your thoughts and feelings what it all was/is that felt/feels very different about the current tour, if your time allows, that'd be just awesome! I kinda feel the same, it's just a bit difficult for me to get it down to the point or to put it words WHAT exactly feels different. But yes, it definitely does! Thank you!
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I saw two shows in 2025, Birmingham (very hot!) and London Stadium. Loved them both and the crowd at West Ham genuinely made it feel like a homecoming. I really liked RFYL but I wasn't compelled to see more shows last year like earlier tours.

What's different?

If you are a casual fan, or lapsed out of it, I can see why RFYL is perfect. But I've followed them avidly since the 90s, so I can't shake the memory that this tour does exactly what they said they wouldn't do in 1999 -- play the 80s songs only bar FOTD. Even Ed Hunter didn't do that.

As I wrote earlier, they have every right to do so since its 50 years and the reunion is 27 years old now, so they aren't bound by their past words.

But it's been personally hard to be really engaged by the setlist concept for that reason. Just my own feelings, not saying they speak to some greater truth. And I'm looking forward to seeing shows this year as well, so its all good if there's a new album in 2027/28 anyway!
 
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