RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2026

Donner said:
I think it's beyond clear by now that Steve values someone he can work with (and or control I suppose) over pure technical chops. Hence why he hired Janick, Blaze or Simon. All good players in their own right, but maybe not the absolute best around. But after all, being in a band isn't just about ability, you have to live with and be around these people for months at a time. Personality also is a trait that should be taken seriously and if the boss is more comfortable with a slightly lesser player because the flashy ones aren't people he vibes with, I think that's a worthy thing to consider.

I think it's kind of interesting that some of the more controversial band member shifts (see names above) and replacement decisions occurred during the post incubation time of the band where they had large tours to complete and albums to record. I can say from experience that I've been in bands before with great players who were shitty people and mediocre players who are better personality fits. The personality is more important than a black or white "can he replicate the fills in Murders in the Rue Morgue".

I understand the fans doing this, but I don't really see the point in debating what ifs when it comes to drummers as we don't really have much of a say. I suppose you could stay home and not go to shows, but that's just not for me really. Time is short. Whether we want to admit it or not, the band has far fewer days left than they ever have. I'm just hoping we can enjoy those days.

Well, except for Aces High in 2026, we are in our right to question that all day long. Eeeek.
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I agree and I think Steve Harris has always had a very clear idea of what Iron Maiden should be. Since it's largely his vision and he's been the band's main driving force from the beginning, it's understandable that he tends to trust people he already knows and works well with. I also get the impression that, for Steve, it's not just about musical ability — the person has to be the right fit personality-wise as well. That's probably one reason why he tends to stick with people he already knows and trusts.
 
I saw them at Amsterdam. My sixth Run for your Lives gig, yet the first one on 2026 leg. And it was the best one. Some reasons:
- This tour and the show works better in indoor arenas.
- Addition of Infinite Dreams added so much to this tour! Emotion, depth and more...
- The band and the audience, both were great. Even the seats on the side of the stage were full and into the show.
- Bruce added some new stuff in his speeches. For example on the song Iron Maiden just before the audience yells "Iron Maiden" he asked "Who are wweeee?" I never heard he do this or don't remember... And where the song breaks into a noisy final, he said "Make some noiseee!" Probably he'll try these moves and uses the most efficient ones at Knebworth.
 
Starblind said:
I saw them at Amsterdam. My sixth Run for your Lives gig, yet the first one on 2026 leg. And it was the best one. Some reasons:
- This tour and the show works better in indoor arenas.
- Addition of Infinite Dreams added so much to this tour! Emotion, depth and more...
- The band and the audience, both were great. Even the seats on the side of the stage were full and into the show.
- Bruce added some new stuff in his speeches. For example on the song Iron Maiden just before the audience yells "Iron Maiden" he asked "Who are wweeee?" I never heard he do this or don't remember... And where the song breaks into a noisy final, he said "Make some noiseee!" Probably he'll try these moves and uses the most efficient ones at Knebworth.
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During legacy he said something to present the song iron maiden " the fucking iron maiden" never added that
 
I was at the Amsterdam show, it was excellent. I went to two shows last year, Graspop and Berlin, both outdoors, and they were great but this time it was indoors, and man, it really is a different experience.

The Ziggo Dome is not a super huge arena, so even though I was sitting far from the stage directly in front of it, the view was perfect and it didn't feel like I was in the nosebleeds or something. The lights and the visuals were just great to see, although the very obvious use of AI in some of the videos is really disappointing and annoying.

I'm in my thirties and I was sitting in between two older gentlemen probably in their 70s, and right in front of me was a dad with his kid who was probably around 7. He was having so much fun, singing and jumping, beautiful stuff. It was very emotional for me to see directly how many different generations of people enjoy this band, and getting to enjoy Infinite Dreams was the cherry on top.

Gotta say the Eddie Dive Bar in Amsterdam was a bit underwhelming, at least compared to the one in Berlin last year.

This was my 6th time seeing Iron Maiden live (Caracas 2009, Paris 2022, Antwerp 2023, Graspop 2025, Berlin 2025) and I can't wait for the next one. Hopefully there will be a next one.
 
evilthatmendo said:
I was at the Amsterdam show, it was excellent. I went to two shows last year, Graspop and Berlin, both outdoors, and they were great but this time it was indoors, and man, it really is a different experience.

The Ziggo Dome is not a super huge arena, so even though I was sitting far from the stage directly in front of it, the view was perfect and it didn't feel like I was in the nosebleeds or something. The lights and the visuals were just great to see, although the very obvious use of AI in some of the videos is really disappointing and annoying.

I'm in my thirties and I was sitting in between two older gentlemen probably in their 70s, and right in front of me was a dad with his kid who was probably around 7. He was having so much fun, singing and jumping, beautiful stuff. It was very emotional for me to see directly how many different generations of people enjoy this band, and getting to enjoy Infinite Dreams was the cherry on top.

Gotta say the Eddie Dive Bar in Amsterdam was a bit underwhelming, at least compared to the one in Berlin last year.

This was my 6th time seeing Iron Maiden live (Caracas 2009, Paris 2022, Antwerp 2023, Graspop 2025, Berlin 2025) and I can't wait for the next one. Hopefully there will be a next one.
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Maiden are always better indoor. Always
 
CA Bryers said:
Maiden has a history with that, picking replacements pretty much by what's close at hand. Bruce was in the same local touring circuit as Maiden was around the UK/Europe. Same with Nicko, and they were friends already to boot. Janick had just done Tattooed Millionaire with Bruce, and boom, he's in. Blaze had toured with Maiden in the '90s, and Steve was a big fan of his even then. Better singers were passed over for someone whose voice he liked and knew he could get along with. And Simon's probably the laziest pick of them all, pretty much, being from Steve's pub band.

Not that any were bad decisions. Most proved to be great, and one even pivotal to their success. It is a pattern, though.
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Very true.
 
CA Bryers said:
Good point. I would reiterate my earlier comment in the thread to say that Bruce was actually more of an outsider than the others I'd listed: Nicko, Janick, Blaze, or Simon. And how did that work? Steve wanted to fire Bruce shortly after they'd started touring together. I think Bruce was the only one who ever came in and challenged the concept that Steve was the Boss, and it may have been the turning point in Steve's hiring practices thereafter: get people I can work with and who'll fall in line.

Again, though, not that there's anything terribly wrong with that. Maiden IS Steve's band. Honestly, accepting that the others wanted to take 2027 off is the first time I've seen him (publicly, at least) really defer to the wishes of everyone else in the band.
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Agree.
And, from some of Bruce's comments, we'll have to see about that "year off"... Hopefully it might end up being a few months off and on to writing new material. Although I'm not sure if Steve is willing to go into a studio without Nicko... Do you guys think he's done with recording? It's pretty clear that Bruce is not.
 
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mtmccox said:
A second ago I finished some video from Rush's Anika, playing background to the instrumantal solo section on La Villa Strangiatto, and yes, I am jealous of what they have...
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Something like that would have had everyone so hyped up, the band too. Simon doesn't get anyone too excited. But I still hope for improvement. In the end, I will always trust Steve's instinct —I'm saying this while listening to «The Angel And The Gambler»!!
 
Eduardo Cabeza said:
Agree.
And, from some of Bruce's comments, we'll have to see about that "year off"... Hopefully it might end up being a few moths off and on to writing new material. Although I'm not sure if Steve is willing to go into a studio without Nicko... Do you guys think he's done with recording? It's pretty clear that Bruce is not.
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If Bruce said "we'll see about that year off," that would indicate either Steve came around to the idea of a new studio album or offers for some festivals maybe showed up. As for Steve's willingness to go into a studio without Nicko, Nicko himself said he's very open to coming in to do a couple of tracks. Personally, I'd say he was being honest about the stress of writing new material. If it was tough for him as far back as the '80s, it's got to be even more daunting at this age, so I get it.

But no, Bruce is clearly not done. It's why I think he resurrected his solo career. Maybe Steve let on the end was in sight, or he said he didn't want to do anymore albums after Senjutsu.
 
Starblind said:
- Bruce added some new stuff in his speeches. For example on the song Iron Maiden just before the audience yells "Iron Maiden" he asked "Who are wweeee?" I never heard he do this or don't remember... And where the song breaks into a noisy final, he said "Make some noiseee!" Probably he'll try these moves and uses the most efficient ones at Knebworth.
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Oh no! They are so old it's affecting their memory! /s :D
 
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