RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2026

[matic22]

Anyways, here is Janick playing the new signature 50th anniversary strat in Bratislava on Powerslave. I was wrong, it isn't reliced (during Powerslave, I pay more attention to the other 2 guitarists...).

It seems to be completely stock, except they changed the middle pickup with black Hot Rails, to resemble the current state of Blackie more. Knobs and other plastic parts remained white (Blackie now has black plastic parts, except for the pickguard). First new guitar that Janick has brought to the stage since 2016's Epiphone LP custom for drop D.

 

[Kalata]

Frank Bello with Steve's basses.

Frank Bello on Instagram: "I got the chance to hang out backstage with my friends in the @ironmaiden crew- BIG thanks to Steve’s tech Brent for giving me the full updated gear tour which always brings out the 14 year old me. I’m still amazed that I a

5,749 likes, 217 comments - thefrankbello on May 30, 2026: "I got the chance to hang out backstage with my friends in the @ironmaiden crew- BIG thanks to Steve’s tech Brent for giving me the full updated gear tour which always brings out the 14 year old me. I’m still amazed that I am holding one...

www.instagram.com

 

[dickinson1978]

I think the band still have a great show. Maybe bruce doesnt sound good during wich songs? Hallowed sometimes and during aces high because its the encore. But they are doing a great show on the rest of the setlist at their 65-70s. The doubt is dave for sure. But as a show is still great.

Btw the stadiums are filled.

 

[Kalata]

My educated guess is that there will be activity in 2028, mainly due to Steve's admission that 2027 was a year off, and that he had to agree to it since "he's only one out of six."

Spot on.

The meeting Steve was talking about probably did take place, but if we're taking all this at face value, nothing's been decided.

Knowing how they operate, I think they might make a decision during the course of this tour. That's the timeframe when TFP and RFYL were envisioned (2022 and 2024, both mid previous tour). However, this time they might just determine a meeting date or studio time next year. Or maybe a deadline when the activities for 2028 need to be decided.

This. And discussions about what they'll do next will probably be left for after the tour, making plans for new music is not a quick talk. Also, concept about new tour and future schedules/way of doing things.

Doubtful given it was announced from day one as 2025-2026.

Most likely, but then what would have been the 2027 tour that Steve said he would like to do? More of RFYL, the easiest.

That being said, I really doubt that Steve would accept replacing ANOTHER musician in such a short period of time. It'd go against the band's image.
Also, would it be worth it? With only 1, perhaps 2 tours more? They don't have anything left to prove. Sure, in theory they still can continue playing good shows and releasing music, but we're talking about very few years of what may be. Nicko left before RFYL. This tour had to happen, it was almost mandatory. 50 years of artistic activity is a huge achievement, very few metal bands can say that they've been making and playing music for such a long time. It is a milestone that surely deserves an appropriate celebration. But after that? I don't see any big thing that could top it.

Agreed. Dave is the soul of the band and he seems happy as always to be on stage, maybe he/they just want fewer dates. I also can't imagine Janick wanting to retire.

We don't know how many more tours they'll do, the band probably doesn't either, but 2 more would be great, so Dave should stay, right.

It's true that they can't really top the innovations of the current stage (maybe with more props) - and the logical next tour is either a new album tour or a Reunion celebration. These are the options.

I think Bruce alone would have the pull to ask for a year off and get it, just like Steve alone seems to be the lynchpin in keeping Maiden out of the studio for Album 18 currently.

Good theory. Ofc they all want to tour with Maiden, no doubt about that.

The clearest thing in the whole situation is that there were no plans for 2027 at that point and there still might be none. But I think they will have a discussion soon what are they doing next year.

Definitely.

 

[Azas]

Frank Bello with Steve's basses.

Frank Bello on Instagram: "I got the chance to hang out backstage with my friends in the @ironmaiden crew- BIG thanks to Steve’s tech Brent for giving me the full updated gear tour which always brings out the 14 year old me. I’m still amazed that I a

5,749 likes, 217 comments - thefrankbello on May 30, 2026: "I got the chance to hang out backstage with my friends in the @ironmaiden crew- BIG thanks to Steve’s tech Brent for giving me the full updated gear tour which always brings out the 14 year old me. I’m still amazed that I am holding one...

www.instagram.com

Here we are. Now we know who’ll be replacing Steve down the line.

By that time, the Maiden lineup will look something like this:

Frank Bello — the latest fill-in on the band’s 60th Anniversary Tour of Pubs and Fairgrounds.

Dennis Stratton — taking over Janick’s role. He’ll be sitting in a wheelchair and unplugged most of the time because he’ll insist on adding a slight ‘Stratton touch’ to the Maiden classics.

Blaze’s nephew — on vocals. An even lower voice than Blaze’s, forcing the band to tune down to Drop D.

Richie Faulkner — replacing Dave Murray. His chest will burst open during the surprise addition of ‘Deja-Vu’ to the setlist, but he’ll be successfully stitched back together by a nearby veterinarian.

Joe Lazarus — replacing Nicko. His nose will be surgically altered to resemble Nicko’s, he’ll wear a blond wig, and all that sort of nonsense. He’ll also be the most handsome member of the band and will crack jokes nonstop. On some nights, he’ll wander across the stage barefoot and trouserless as a ghost during the quiet section of ‘Rime.’

Meanwhile, Bruce will still be touring with his solo band, which will serve as the opening act for this upcoming - but already mighty - version of Iron Maiden.

Can’t wait!

 

[Kalata]

Anyways, here is Janick playing the new signature 50th anniversary strat in Bratislava on Powerslave.
First new guitar that Janick has brought to the stage since 2016's Epiphone LP custom for drop D.

 

[MaryPelon]

The only two plausible candidates for wanting 2027 off are Dave and Bruce...and you could make an argument for Adrian, I suppose. Dave, only because of the longstanding rumors and Nicko's kinda-sorta confirmation of it. But I agree, it's not like Dave is showing any signs of road-weariness at this point. I still remember seeing Marco Hietala on Nightwish's Decades tour. Just seeing him up there, you couldn't miss the vibe he was sending out that he wanted to be anywhere but there. Far from it with Dave.

The second and more likely candidate is Bruce, because he wanted room to release and tour his new album. Yes, he only has late 2027 announced for touring at this stage, but the year will undoubtedly fill out with more dates, especially if he plans on releasing the album in early 2027. And no, I don't think Maiden at this stage is a majority-vote type democracy situation. I think Bruce alone would have the pull to ask for a year off and get it, just like Steve alone seems to be the lynchpin in keeping Maiden out of the studio for Album 18 currently.

It is really hilarious. We don't have a candidate. Bruce is the kind of guy who would say, “Maiden plus Bruce solo? Sure, what's the problem?”