RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2026

Prowler said:
Honestly, I don't think they'll retire. (unless there are health issues we don't know)
They are not even in their 70s yet. Dave and Adrian are pretty static on stage, anyway. Simon is younger. Steve is in great shape. Bruce is such a good singer, he can still deliver (maybe not songs like Aces High, but there is no need for that in 2028).
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I think Adrian even tried to “dance” (move) a little more than in the past, doing spins and so on. Of course, we don’t know anything for sure, but some said that Janick isn’t in as good health as he used to be. He indeed looked a bit worse than on the last tour, but who knows.
 
I think the 50th anniversary was a huge existential thing for Steve and now that they are in the middle of it, it's that and that only. Prior to that, things seemed shaky with both Bruce and Nicko, with Nicko ultimately leaving (and Bruce somehow actually found new energy with his "instrument"). If Nickos departure had been after the RFYL celebrations, I'm not so sure Steve and others would have wanted to continue with another member, which is why I'm placing my bets towards this being the end.

Judging by their performance this year though, they certainly have the physical energy to continue, but I'm not sure there's an ambition still.
 
Azas said:
"3. Two guitarists will retire and be replaced because they no longer wish to continue."

If this happens, I’d say Maiden will lose all credibility and end up like one of those old bands drifting into obscurity after replacing almost all of their core members. All those speeches about camaraderie would be tossed straight into the bin—nothing personal, just business. Of course, I can understand it, but if such a move were made, their status as legends would be shattered.

I can actually picture it: around 2027–2028, Priest finally call it a day, and Mr. Harris rings up Richie Faulkner—‘Mate, you need a job?’ Ha, ha.
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They are going to retire all togheter . Nicko was sick and he couldnt continue. I dont see maiden with 2 diferent guitarrist.
 
Hopefully, the tour planning for 2026 wasn't a mistake in that sense.
After such a long tour, you sometimes feel like you don't want to do it anymore, even though that's not really true, and you wouldn't even have thought of that after a less strenuous, long tour.
 
Yeah, I agree—the most plausible options are that they’ll either retire after this tour, or cut back and play far fewer shows in the future.
 
matic22 said:
I think this point is actuay the first time they haven't got plans for the future after 2026 yet. They always planned 2 years in advance, but I think not this time.
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Agreed. I don't think they've decided yet. They are running through the anniversary as a life goal for this band and they haven't had the very serious discussion yet of what the future holds, eventhough I'm sure it's on everyones mind. Either they give us the news (whatever it is) during the 2026 tour or during downtime in 2027. But I'm quite certain the "no tours in 2027" doesn't mean recording of a new album. I don't think that's how they operate nowadays. And I don't think farewells are in the DNA of this band. It could be a very sudden press release in the coming two years.

Pure speculation of course.
 
Poto said:
First option, but I think a lineup change is quite likely.
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Why do you think so? Because they already replaced Nicko?
Poto said:
You could argue they hinted at studio time in the tour announcement, but it could simply be that they will be back on the road in 28 for one final tour.
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Possible, unfortunately.
Fozzie said:
I would be happy with the less shows a year plan, might mean bigger venues again though.

Not sure about the negative brigade on here liking the outlook no matter what though,
No new album= cabaret act.
New album= too long, boring overblown Harris stuff.
New tour= same old songs , too expensive , crap t-shirt , rubbish backdrop, Bruce is past it.
No new tour= how can they just walk away without giving us die hard fans one last hurrah apart from that Knebworth shite.
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I agree with you, but it's normal to expect the band not to play the same old songs on every tour from now on and to announce their farewell tour. Playing rare/Reunion songs is probably what they don't want to do now, after all these years, and probably prefer the classics.
Prowler said:
Honestly, I don't think they'll retire. (unless there are health issues we don't know)
They are not even in their 70s yet. Dave and Adrian are pretty static on stage, anyway. Simon is younger. Steve is in great shape. Bruce is such a good singer, he can still deliver (maybe not songs like Aces High, but there is no need for that in 2028).
I think the end is near, but we are not there yet. This tour won't be the last. Maybe in 2030 or so, they'll retire.
Saying all that, I'm sure that when they'll return in 2028, they'll play fewer gigs. This summer might be the last time they come to Greece for example, but Knebworth won't be the last UK show, for sure.
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This.
Azas said:
If this happens, I’d say Maiden will lose all credibility and end up like one of those old bands drifting into obscurity after replacing almost all of their core members. All those speeches about camaraderie would be tossed straight into the bin—nothing personal, just business. Of course, I can understand it....
I can actually picture it: around 2027–2028, Priest finally call it a day, and Mr. Harris rings up Richie Faulkner—‘Mate, you need a job?’ Ha, ha.
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^Agreed, especially after all the talk about them being a family. Btw, after the 3 Amigos, Richie is probably my favorite guitarist. And I'm definitely curious him writing a Maiden song.
matic22 said:
That means 20-25 gigs per year. I think a good indicator of that is Bruce ramping up his solo career.
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Playing 20 (big) shows per year is very logical for the future.
Bruce is definitely working his plans around Maiden. I wonder if that would mean solo albums more often.
cyanopsis said:
I think the 50th anniversary was a huge existential thing for Steve and now that they are in the middle of it, it's that and that only. Prior to that, things seemed shaky with both Bruce and Nicko, with Nicko ultimately leaving (and Bruce somehow actually found new energy with his "instrument"). If Nickos departure had been after the RFYL celebrations, I'm not so sure Steve and others would have wanted to continue with another member, which is why I'm placing my bets towards this being the end. Judging by their performance this year though, they certainly have the physical energy to continue, but I'm not sure there's an ambition still.
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Likely, yes. New music is what brings ambition, right.
dickinson1978 said:
They are going to retire all togheter . Nicko was sick and he couldnt continue. I dont see maiden with 2 diferent guitarrist.
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I think so too. Although Bruce will want to continue with his solo career, it's the biggest of them all.
matic22 said:
I think this point is actually the first time they haven't got plans for the future after 2026 yet. They always planned 2 years in advance, but I think not this time.
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For sure. Although in a recent interview with Steve, he said that they are still enjoy playing live. But then why taking a whole year off... the tour next year is not about money, it's a usually longer and bigger 2nd leg because of the break and anniv.
Azas said:
Yeah, I agree—the most plausible options are that they’ll either retire after this tour, or cut back and play far fewer shows in the future.
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After this tour when the press release said break from touring?
cyanopsis said:
Agreed. I don't think they've decided yet. They are running through the anniversary as a life goal for this band and they haven't had the very serious discussion yet of what the future holds, eventhough I'm sure it's on everyones mind. Either they give us the news (whatever it is) during the 2026 tour or during downtime in 2027. But I'm quite certain the "no tours in 2027" doesn't mean recording of a new album. I don't think that's how they operate nowadays. And I don't think farewells are in the DNA of this band. It could be a very sudden press release in the coming two years.
Pure speculation of course.
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It's true that they don't normally take a year off to write an album. Bruce ruled out a farewell tour, Steve too, but he also said we'll see. Remember 1993.
 
bruceBruceBruce said:
Yeah i also saw that info on polish fanclub forum, where it was posted by the fan who is really close to the band.
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I don't think there's a fan out there who is privy to such internal information. It would have to be someone who additionally works for the band or a personal friend.
But does that really matter? We can discuss the possibilities listed.
I don't think you need spectacular insider knowledge to come up with these possibilities. It's not so unrealistic that they could play a role, only potentially.
 
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