Crowd participation

[Ben Beast]

I was thinking one day how much does Maiden show elevate for having songs that have crowd participating moments - clapping, singing along (woooh like for example Fear of the Dark), chanting (yeah-yeah-yeah eg Powerslave) and to some extent jumping. Is it down to Maiden's music or more specifically Bruce's frontmanship, to get people singing, clapping etc. Songs like Phantom of the Opera, Powerslave, Hallowed be thy Name, Revelations, Sign of the Cross, Prisoner, Writing on the Wall to name just very few.
I wouldn't concentrate on choruses, because that's what choruses are - simple, memorable and easy to sing, so people should be able to sing along.
But most importantly, the question to discuss - how does Maiden crowd participation compare to other rock/metal acts? AC/DC performed in Tallinn this summer and yes their music is more simple (maybe accesible the word to use) and choruses easy but other than that I think they don't have so much crowd involving moments like Maiden has. Or if we compare Maiden to other big names like Metallica, Rammstein, Judas Priest, Guns'n'Roses and so on, I think none have this kind of crowd involvement like at a Maiden show or does anybody have some good comparison? Or does some band to it even better? What's your thoughts?

 

[Brigantium]

At this stage of their career I think the fans bring the atmosphere as much as anything. There's enough of a fan base who treat it as a huge party with like-minded people

 

[dickinson1978]

I was thinking one day how much does Maiden show elevate for having songs that have crowd participating moments - clapping, singing along (woooh like for example Fear of the Dark), chanting (yeah-yeah-yeah eg Powerslave) and to some extent jumping. Is it down to Maiden's music or more specifically Bruce's frontmanship, to get people singing, clapping etc. Songs like Phantom of the Opera, Powerslave, Hallowed be thy Name, Revelations, Sign of the Cross, Prisoner, Writing on the Wall to name just very few.
I wouldn't concentrate on choruses, because that's what choruses are - simple, memorable and easy to sing, so people should be able to sing along.
But most importantly, the question to discuss - how does Maiden crowd participation compare to other rock/metal acts? AC/DC performed in Tallinn this summer and yes their music is more simple (maybe accesible the word to use) and choruses easy but other than that I think they don't have so much crowd involving moments like Maiden has. Or if we compare Maiden to other big names like Metallica, Rammstein, Judas Priest, Guns'n'Roses and so on, I think none have this kind of crowd involvement like at a Maiden show or does anybody have some good comparison? Or does some band to it even better? What's your thoughts?

None of the bands you name have a frontman like bruce. Even Axl rose who used to be a great frontman he was more like a beast on stage but not many times ask the audience to sing. Just knocking on heavens door and that part of in the jungle baby. Not much interaction. And halford he sings great but he doesnt move nor run. Hetfield is the one more closest. And Ozzy not the best singer but a great frontman or spectacle guy. Sabbath or ozzy could be close to maiden

 

[Fozzie]

Not many bands in the world of rock and metal have the crowd participation that Maiden do. The songs lend themselves to it to a degree and the fans in general are the most amazing group of people.

The fact that Bruce is without doubt one of the greatest frontmen ever is a massive part of why it happens , he gets the crowd involved every night.
My wife was never a metal fan until we met but she has said since day one of seeing Maiden live that Bruce is an incredible ,charismatic frontman which maybe we long time fans forget.

Personally I rarely listen to the album version of FOTD or Hallowed ,I always choose the live versions which have a life of their own and are incredibly powerful and emotional versions with the crowd involved.

 

[dickinson1978]

Not many bands in the world of rock and metal have the crowd participation that Maiden do. The songs lend themselves to it to a degree and the fans in general are the most amazing group of people.

The fact that Bruce is without doubt one of the greatest frontmen ever is a massive part of why it happens , he gets the crowd involved every night.
My wife was never a metal fan until we met but she has said since day one of seeing Maiden live that Bruce is an incredible ,charismatic frontman which maybe we long time fans forget.

Personally I rarely listen to the album version of FOTD or Hallowed ,I always choose the live versions which have a life of their own and are incredibly powerful and emotional versions with the crowd involved.

And now he has speed down. I think from 97 to 2010 he was at his top.
In 85 his voice was good he wasnt moving as 99 and he rise his arm to many times singing a bit weird
In 88 he was a beast live but his voice was shot
In 92 singing great and great frontman in a bad era for the band
And then the golden era again

 

[edward creighton]

Bruce is an incredible frontman, have friend saw Maiden for first time in Dublin say was far better than Corey Taylor.

Lots of Maiden songs suit participation. In Madrid at start of 2 Minutes and Phantom whole football field bouncing.

Foo Fighters have great live energy.

Watched some of the Metallica club gig on YouTube, can't believe people in front row on phone during Creeping Death!

Fingers xx 2026 dates work for us all.

 

[Vaenyr]

Growing up with Maiden and having their live albums be my main exposure to concerts in my formative years affected how I perceive certain things quite a bit. So many frontmen out there who are just utterly boring or have zero presence on stage. You'll often see vocalists just awkwardly move back and forth, not knowing quite what to do, looking more like confused children or a puppy, rather than someone with a commanding presence.

Another "pet peeve", if we wanna call it that: More frontmen need to get the audience clapping along. I'm sorry, but if folks don't know the song, you won't get them to sing along. Clapping though? That's much easier and people are more willing to go along. I remember when I saw Raven Age open for Maiden (not half bad, I expected worse!) and while the lead singer wasn't bad, his stage banter (or lack thereof) was noticeable. He could've asked the crowd to clap along a few times and there would've been much more engagement. It's always a bit of a missed opportunity when stuff like that gets ignored.

My wife was never a metal fan until we met but she has said since day one of seeing Maiden live that Bruce is an incredible ,charismatic frontman which maybe we long time fans forget.

My girlfriend is not a big metal fan ("too many solos" lol ), but we've watched some of the behind the scenes documentaries together, which she always found interesting. We watched En Vivo as well and she really enjoyed Bruce's showmanship and handling of the crowd.

 

[dickinson1978]

Growing up with Maiden and having their live albums be my main exposure to concerts in my formative years affected how I perceive certain things quite a bit. So many frontmen out there who are just utterly boring or have zero presence on stage. You'll often see vocalists just awkwardly move back and forth, not knowing quite what to do, looking more like confused children or a puppy, rather than someone with a commanding presence.

Another "pet peeve", if we wanna call it that: More frontmen need to get the audience clapping along. I'm sorry, but if folks don't know the song, you won't get them to sing along. Clapping though? That's much easier and people are more willing to go along. I remember when I saw Raven Age open for Maiden (not half bad, I expected worse!) and while the lead singer wasn't bad, his stage banter (or lack thereof) was noticeable. He could've asked the crowd to clap along a few times and there would've been much more engagement. It's always a bit of a missed opportunity when stuff like that gets ignored.


My girlfriend is not a big metal fan ("too many solos" lol ), but we've watched some of the behind the scenes documentaries together, which she always found interesting. We watched En Vivo as well and she really enjoyed Bruce's showmanship and handling of the crowd.

Ozzy was great too on that.

 

[Fozzie]

My girlfriend is not a big metal fan ("too many solos" lol )

Too many solos , that’s not possible is it

 

[Ben Beast]

I think compared to their peers Maiden songs just have more parts that invite people to get involved. Also it helps that Bruce knows how to utilize these moments. Perfect example for young singers/frontmans to study should be Blood Brothers. Listening studio version you wouldn't guess such audience interaction like they do in live setting. The clapping part that starts around 4:17 is just brilliant.

Also Bruce's own solo shows have quite many crowd interaction moments. Rain on the Graves as a song isn't top tier material but as a live song it works.

 

[Siddharth]

I have yet to catch the band live. Though from the live videos I have seen, the crowd participation has always been top class for Maiden. Prime examples being the entirety of Live After Death, the 2005 Ullevi concert, the performances of Hallowed Be Thy Name and Fear Of The Dark from Rock In Rio and the Aces High performance from Flight 666.

Though I wondered if Maiden could invite fans onstage, occassionally if not regularly, something like this:

I get it, their stage set and the technicality of the songs may not allow it, but still!

IMO, the only band at present that can go toe-to-toe against Maiden or Metallica, in terms of live performances.

 

[Vaenyr]

Though I wondered if Maiden could invite fans onstage, occassionally if not regularly, something like this:

Please no, I'd hate that. It would be cool for that fan, but the audience is there to see Maiden, not a random person. I'd rather they'd invite past band members (like they did with Adrian on Running Free at Live At Donington 1992).

Also, they used to have the crew, opening bands and some other folks on stage during the "whooah" middle part in Heaven Can Wait.

 

[Ben Beast]

What's your favourite moments? I love Phantom of the Opera the part that starts around 3:30 and lasts until around 5:30. It just has everything - clapping, chanting, jumping, "scream for me" part.

 

[Vaenyr]

Mine is the "whooah" part towards the end of Dream Of Mirrors in the Rock In Rio version. Highlight of the entire show and probably the main reason why that song became one of my favorites. You have literal minutes of suspense and energy being built, released at that moment.

 

[Kalata]

Not many bands in the world of rock and metal have the crowd participation that Maiden do. The songs lend themselves to it...
The fact that Bruce is without doubt one of the greatest frontmen ever is a massive part of why it happens , he gets the crowd involved every night.

I think compared to their peers Maiden songs just have more parts that invite people to get involved. Also it helps that Bruce knows how to utilize these moments.

So true.

What's your favourite moments? I love Phantom of the Opera the part that starts around 3:30 and lasts until around 5:30. It just has everything - clapping, chanting, jumping, "scream for me" part.

It's not that easy to pick a favorite crowd participation part, Maiden have quite some. For some reason I've always liked Powerslave one during the main riff, it's so much energy.

 

[SixesAlltheway]

Ozzy was great too on that.

Don't get me wrong - I liked Ozzy's energy live but he was never very good at controlling it. You need to have a good idea of knowing when to amp up the crowd and at what times during the show it's not needed. Ozzy never really had that. He would often just randomly scream for participation in the middle of great musical sections. That's what has always annoyed me when listening to Ozzy live. Maiden/Bruce are far better at that!