Because Maiden should not be active touring wise next year. Also sitting on a new album by Bruce for so long. That November-December thing makes little sense.Why is that strange? The new Maiden album will be recorded early next year, followed by (a limited number of) Maiden live shows in the summer, and then Bruce's tour at the end of the year.
I agree, it's super strange if he doesn’t do a European tour during the summer/festival season.Because Maiden should not be active touring wise next year. Also sitting on a new album by Bruce for so long. That November-December thing makes little sense.
And I'm almost sure they haven't spoken about reversing that "no shows in 2027" decisiob before they began rehearsing this year.

Because Maiden should not be active touring wise next year. Also sitting on a new album by Bruce for so long. That November-December thing makes little sense.
And I'm almost sure they haven't spoken about reversing that "no shows in 2027" decisiob before they began rehearsing this year.
There was a plan with IM. No shows in 2027. It clearly said that on IM website when 2026 dates were announced. However, it seems like Steve has been pushing them to play at least a few since early this year.That doesn't mean the plans to go on tour with Maiden hadn't been in the works for a while, and that they honestly only started discussing them during rehearsals, just because it was then decided to make the first tentative public hints.
We mustn’t confuse what’s officially presented to us with what’s actually happening in real life.
Take that influencer couple, for example - I was just looking at their totally happy, lovey-dovey new photos on Instagram last week, and today they announced their separation and that the divorce settlement has already been finalized...
Exactly. Plus Bruce probably wants to release his album next spring and tour it ASAP.Steve might want to tour next year, but I can't imagine him getting his way. Where on earth can they tour after milking basically every corner of the earth since the pandemic? They need that break not just for the band, but also to build up demand.
There was a plan with IM. No shows in 2027. It clearly said that on IM website when 2026 dates were announced.
I won't be surprised if year off was a marketing thing to boost ticket sales. With them saying "plans changed" and continue in 2027
I Just checked Bruce and Steve have at least for the moment no plans of touring in 2027 so if iron maiden ends the tour in nov 2026 after a good break they could record before summer maybe the album out at the end of 2027 and then tour in 2028? Bruce wanted to put out the record in 2027 maybe we have both the same year.There was a plan with IM. No shows in 2027. It clearly said that on IM website when 2026 dates were announced. However, it seems like Steve has been pushing them to play at least a few since early this year.
If we get any Maiden live activity next year, I'd imagine it to be something like 4-5 nights at the O2. But I'm almost sure there won't be a full blown tour. The 2026 extensive dates were likely compensated with a year off to keep the band members happy. And from the Kerrang interview, it seems like one of the leaders of the band (Bruce) wants to record before heading out again.
I think if they record, it will likely be spring.I Just checked Bruce and Steve have at least for the moment no plans of touring in 2027 so if iron maiden ends the tour in nov 2026 after a good break they could record before summer maybe the album out at the end of 2027 and then tour in 2028? Bruce wanted to put out the record in 2027 maybe we have both the same year.