RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2025 Tour Thread *SPOILERS INSIDE*

Iron Lurker said:
If they were ever to do avatars a-la KISS (which they won't) they way to do it would be to have Eddie "kill" the band members at the end of the very last show. Then raise them from the dead as "eddie-ized" zombies - then go play a residency at the Sphere in Vegas and make MILLIONS :D
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Eddie's gonna get aAaAaAaAaALL of them, after all :D
 
Hi everyone, I've been a Maiden fan for a long time but this is my first post. I was at the Prague concert and just wanted to share my impressions.


The setlist: everyone has their own preferences, but I doubt anyone could be disappointed by this one. Did anyone seriously expect them to play Innocent Exile or Invaders? Personally, I could do without certain songs (like Fear of the Dark, which still proves to be one of their most beloved tracks among the more general audience), but that’s really a matter of taste. And something like Seventh Son... was REALLY unexpected.


The performance: considering none of them have magically gotten any younger, I don't think anyone could feel let down — Dickinson in particular seemed to be in great shape, except maybe for the usual Aces High, which was placed as the first of the encores.


Unfortunately, it's a different story for Simon Dawson: I've read enthusiastic comments but I struggle to share them. He seemed to be having a hard time and — to be blunt — he just doesn't seem like the right drummer for Maiden. He lacks both the power and speed of Burr (and the triggers he uses sound LOUD but extremely stiff), and he's even less suited to Nicko's style (which is obviously what most fans associate with Iron Maiden’s repertoire).


Honestly, at this stage of their career, couldn’t they have found a drummer — British and relatively unknown, since those seemed to be the requirements — who was a bit more agile? Let's be clear: I know that no matter who they picked, some fans would be unhappy, but the highest praise I can give Simon is that he's "adequate". That feels a bit underwhelming.


And those who say, "Well, think about the pressure he must be under," are kind of missing the point. No one’s blaming him personally for how he plays — just like no one could really blame Blaze for not singing like Dickinson. Maiden deserved a different drummer. Maybe time will change my mind.


The show: I was very skeptical about the use of the LEDwall, but it worked really well, even in daylight (at least from the front rows). Much better than the classic backdrops, I have to admit.


I hope I didn’t bore you, and as always — Up the Irons!


A.H.
 
Nice to hear your experience & analysis on the recent show, @Acres High - and welcome, also! :)

I hope Simon's drumming will grow on you and/or he'll keep improving! Regardless, having preferences on the drumming in Maiden and criticizing Simon is totally okay when done in such a good taste & manner as you did... unlike so many others who're outright bashing him on the social media comment sections and such.

Did you have any favourite songs on the set? I'll be seeing them in two weeks and there'll be a handful of songs I've never witnessed live (Murders, Wrathchild, Killers, Powerslave, Rime of the Ancient Mariner) and a few that I absolutely don't mind seeing for a second time (The Clairvoyant & Seventh Son - a pleasant surprise indeed!).
 
Acres High said:
Hi everyone, I've been a Maiden fan for a long time but this is my first post. I was at the Prague concert and just wanted to share my impressions.


The setlist: everyone has their own preferences, but I doubt anyone could be disappointed by this one. Did anyone seriously expect them to play Innocent Exile or Invaders? Personally, I could do without certain songs (like Fear of the Dark, which still proves to be one of their most beloved tracks among the more general audience), but that’s really a matter of taste. And something like Seventh Son... was REALLY unexpected.


The performance: considering none of them have magically gotten any younger, I don't think anyone could feel let down — Dickinson in particular seemed to be in great shape, except maybe for the usual Aces High, which was placed as the first of the encores.


Unfortunately, it's a different story for Simon Dawson: I've read enthusiastic comments but I struggle to share them. He seemed to be having a hard time and — to be blunt — he just doesn't seem like the right drummer for Maiden. He lacks both the power and speed of Burr (and the triggers he uses sound LOUD but extremely stiff), and he's even less suited to Nicko's style (which is obviously what most fans associate with Iron Maiden’s repertoire).


Honestly, at this stage of their career, couldn’t they have found a drummer — British and relatively unknown, since those seemed to be the requirements — who was a bit more agile? Let's be clear: I know that no matter who they picked, some fans would be unhappy, but the highest praise I can give Simon is that he's "adequate". That feels a bit underwhelming.


And those who say, "Well, think about the pressure he must be under," are kind of missing the point. No one’s blaming him personally for how he plays — just like no one could really blame Blaze for not singing like Dickinson. Maiden deserved a different drummer. Maybe time will change my mind.


The show: I was very skeptical about the use of the LEDwall, but it worked really well, even in daylight (at least from the front rows). Much better than the classic backdrops, I have to admit.


I hope I didn’t bore you, and as always — Up the Irons!


A.H.
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Welcome! Nice post but I have to disagree about Simon. I think he's doing a fine job considering all the pressures he must be experiencing. And he will only get better as the tour progresses. Steve has played alongside Simon a lot and is comfortable with him and that goes a long way, too.
 
Randalf said:
Nice to hear your experience & analysis on the recent show, @Acres High - and welcome, also! :)

I hope Simon's drumming will grow on you and/or he'll keep improving! Regardless, having preferences on the drumming in Maiden and criticizing Simon is totally okay when done in such a good taste & manner as you did... unlike so many others who're outright bashing him on the social media comment sections and such.

Did you have any favourite songs on the set? I'll be seeing them in two weeks and there'll be a handful of songs I've never witnessed live (Murders, Wrathchild, Killers, Powerslave, Rime of the Ancient Mariner) and a few that I absolutely don't mind seeing for a second time (The Clairvoyant & Seventh Son - a pleasant surprise indeed!).
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If we're talking about overall performance, Powerslave was truly magnificent. It was sung brilliantly... and Dickinson had the Bird Mask again!!! Honestly, every time I see them (live or on video), it's always an emotional experience. As many have already said, the coup de théâtre during Hallowed Be Thy Name was very effective from a scenic point of view.
 
Acres High said:
Hi everyone, I've been a Maiden fan for a long time but this is my first post. I was at the Prague concert and just wanted to share my impressions.


The performance: considering none of them have magically gotten any younger, I don't think anyone could feel let down — Dickinson in particular seemed to be in great shape, except maybe for the usual Aces High, which was placed as the first of the encores.


Unfortunately, it's a different story for Simon Dawson: I've read enthusiastic comments but I struggle to share them. He seemed to be having a hard time and — to be blunt — he just doesn't seem like the right drummer for Maiden. He lacks both the power and speed of Burr (and the triggers he uses sound LOUD but extremely stiff), and he's even less suited to Nicko's style (which is obviously what most fans associate with Iron Maiden’s repertoire).


Honestly, at this stage of their career, couldn’t they have found a drummer — British and relatively unknown, since those seemed to be the requirements — who was a bit more agile? Let's be clear: I know that no matter who they picked, some fans would be unhappy, but the highest praise I can give Simon is that he's "adequate". That feels a bit underwhelming.


And those who say, "Well, think about the pressure he must be under," are kind of missing the point. No one’s blaming him personally for how he plays — just like no one could really blame Blaze for not singing like Dickinson. Maiden deserved a different drummer. Maybe time will change my mind.


I hope I didn’t bore you, and as always — Up the Irons!


A.H.
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I think that's likely what they wanted at this stage of their career; an established professional who could learn the songs, fit in with the band musically and personally, not be a nuisance or obtrusive presence in any way, and show up for the gig and perform before huge audiences (some potentially hostile) without shitting a brick.

Simon checks all of those boxes for them.

It's not the same as when others left. Bruce injected them with a whole new presence enabling them to go to the next level. Nicko came in and made his mark both rhythmically and personally. Criticisms aside, Janick became a valued songwriting contributor after Adrian's departure and brought a new energy to the stage. And even Blaze was a deliberate decision to go in a different direction in part because of the changing musical climate, failed experience or not.

These guys are planning their exit strategy now. That's not to call them lazy or uninspired; far from it. They have a lot of gas remaining in the tank and I think they still enjoy performing with each other. But I don't think they're overly concerned with changing up the formula at this point. And while your comments about Simon's fit in Maiden are fair and balanced, on a musical level they must be comfortable playing with him first and foremost. Steve didn't just foist him upon the band, they all had to sign off on him. And musicians hear things differently than do listeners.

Last comment: I'll give a personal example. I used to jam with a drummer who went on to play with the A+ List in music including Prince, Chaka Khan, Stanley Clarke and Allan Holdsworth. A phenomenal talent who should be mentioned in every Best Drummer poll annually. The band would lock into a groove and the audience would be connected on that Oneness level that's so beautiful...and then this kid would go off on a solo and start doing every flash move he could, totally f...ing up the groove. Despite his colossal talent and resume, word soon spread and cats prefer not to play with him at this point. The one you want to play with gives you a steady, solid, immovable foundation and understands when to lie back and where his/her moments are to shine; they think BAND first. So for me as a rhythm player (guitar), I'll take solid over flash every time. Now, NO ABSOLUTELY NOT I'm not comparing my stature to being in Maiden (I can already see someone getting ready to pounce..!), I'm just sharing/adding some thoughts on why they went in Simon's direction. For all that's going on with such a huge production I think he's doing a fantastic job.
 
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