RUN FOR YOUR LIVES WORLD TOUR (2025/2026)

Maybe one day I'll go through this whole thread, but today is not the day. So, I've asked AI to summarize these 108 pages and give me answers in bullet points. This is how it ended its conclusion: "Overall, the forum reflects a mix of excitement and cautious optimism. While fans hope for a diverse setlist that includes both classics and rarities, there's an understanding that the band may focus on their most popular tracks to cater to a broad audience during this milestone tour."

Now I know AI will never replace us - this forum never showed "cautious optimism".

On a more serious note, I'm excited about the tour and I'll try not to have any expectations about the setlist. At the moment, I'm doing three gigs (the first two nights in Budapest + Bratislava) and I have a special project tied with it which I might write about later. I was a bit surprised about Nicko (although it was a bit expected) but I got over it.

It may be weird seeing somebody else with them on stage, but to me, it would be way weirder going on their official webpage, clicking tour, and just seeing the background with no foreseeable dates in the future.
 
Nomadd said:
I can't understand people who "aren't so excited" about 50-anniversary gigs of their theoretically favorite band. It's obvious they'll play mostly the hits and some deep cuts (maybe just the one song they've never ever played before).
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Yeah, I don't get it either. I am hoping to see them in 2026. Who knows what the future holds it could very well be my last time. I can assure you I'm excited by the possibility of them topping the Legacy tour. With Bruce having a bigger say on the setlist these days I'm betting on Killers and hopefully a few more surprises. I'm also not so jaded and look forward to hearing a lot of their best songs, you know, the "hits."
 
Nomadd said:
I can't understand people who "aren't so excited" about 50-anniversary gigs of their theoretically favorite band. It's obvious they'll play mostly the hits and some deep cuts (maybe just the one song they've never ever played before).
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I can't understand people who get excited about everything their favourite band ever does, no matter what it is.
I have been a Maiden fan for 30+ years, the band played an extremely important role in my life and I will keep many of their songs forever with me. Doesn't mean I have to get excited about everything they do. Doesn't mean that I have to like all they do and all they play. Doesn't mean that I can't be disappointed in some things they do.

Also doesn't mean I would not enjoy a safe greatest hits show!!! Just means I dont get very excited about it and would be happier with a not-so-safe setlist.
 
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While we still haven't gotten a whole lot of direct setlist hints, there have been a few and I think we are getting a clearer picture of what to expect. With that being said, I am still feeling pretty good about my setlist prediction from the contest made back in October:
Mosh

Post in thread 'RUN FOR YOUR LIVES - The setlist contest'

1: Moonchild
2: 2 Minutes to Midnight
3: The Trooper
4: 22 Acacia Avenue
5: Phantom of the Opera
6: Die With Your Boots On
7: Killers
8: Rime of the Ancient Mariner
9: Run to the Hills
10: Fear of the Dark
11: Hallowed Be Thy Name
12: Iron Maiden
-------------
13: The Number of the Beast
14: The Evil That Men Do
15: Running Free

In retrospect, I think Moonchild is a miss. I'm now anticipating them opening with Murders again but I think Moonchild remains an outside chance and it's possible both songs end up in the setlist with one of them just not being the opener. I'm very bullish on Killers now. DWYBO and 22 Acacia Avenue are outside choices that I am feeling less bullish on, but I do think those slots are going to be filled by lower tier "classics," probably where a No Prayer song goes if one happens. I'm kinda 50/50 on Rime. Time feels right, it feels like a good olive branch to the diehards, but I also kinda feel like they tend to tease the big epics at some point and so far Phantom has been the explicit Harris epic tease.

Also think I was probably wrong to do 15 songs instead of 16, but we'll see. Curious what everybody else thinks is the "state of play" given some of the recent press.
 
Mosh said:
Had last been played in 2003, 15 years earlier. Played on four tours total.

Played on three tours total, last played in 2002(?).


Played on one tour.


Played on three tours total, from one of which it was dropped pretty early on and only played at a few shows iirc. Last played in 86 or 87.
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A deep cut in my defintion is a song that is very highly popular among non-casual fans, but was extremely rarely or never played. This does not apply to any of the mentioned songs. Sea of Madness, Only the Good Die Young, Judas Be My Guide would be good examples.
Icarus may come somewhat close to that definition, but the others? They are no commons, but I would not call them deep cuts.
 
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Eddie's Uncle said:
A deep cut is a song that is very highly popular among non-casual fans, but was extremely rarely or never played.
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We'll have to agree to disagree because I genuinely don't see how any of the songs you named from Legacy of the Beast don't exactly fit that definition.
 
Hmm, a song that is medium popular among fans at best and has been played on 4 tours would not fit my defintion. Or do we have some mutual misunderstanding here?
 
FWIW

A deep cut is a song on an album that is less well-known than other songs on the same album or by the same artist. Deep cuts are often obscure, and are only known by the most devoted fans of the artist or band.

Characteristics of deep cuts

  • They are rarely played live
  • They are not often heard on the radio
  • They are not published as singles
  • They are buried in the artist's catalog
  • They are considered to be particularly brilliant songs
 
As a fan of 44 years I like most of what they've done. I was never a Blaze fan and I'm not too keen on 90's Maiden. I also don't think the debut is all that spectacular outside of Phantom. They are far and away my favorite band of all time so yeah, I get excited to see them live - no matter the circumstance. The 50th anniversary is quite the milestone and I intend to celebrate with them and not be concerned about what they play or don't play.
 
I’m just excited about the prospect of hearing a song I have never heard before live. For this tour I am predicting Killers, OTGDY and BYDTTS. I would be happy with any of those.

I remember grinning like a Cheshire Cat all the way through most of the last tour and the SOTC/Icarus duo in 2018.
 
Daggmask2009 said:
I’ve never been to a concert before (let alone a maiden one) so I am hoping for the greatest hits and Rime of the ancient mariner. Also I am going with my parents and older sister and they are not as invested in Maiden as I am, so I think they would also prefer a greatest hits concert.
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Thats why they keep playing the trooper. And honestly, i have 0 problems with it.
 
Mosh said:
I'm kinda 50/50 on Rime. Time feels right, it feels like a good olive branch to the diehards, but I also kinda feel like they tend to tease the big epics at some point and so far Phantom has been the explicit Harris epic tease.
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One doesn't exclude the other. FTGGOG was in the teaser for the Legacy tour and they still played two more epics. Classics from their era. Or more recently, Stranger taking front center with the promo campaign instead of CSIT, or DOFP.
 
They will definitely play more than one epic. Since the reunion they like lengthy songs. Last tour we had Death of the Celts, Hell on Earth, Alexander and to be honest some other songs were 6+ minutes too. They played SOTC, FTGGOG and some others in the previous tour. They will play 3 epics this tour, I think, maybe 4. 80s epics aren't that lengthy too (except Mariner). Phantom, Mariner and maybe another one are to be expected, maybe SSOASS, maybe To tame a land, maybe Alexander again. SSOASS seems more possible than the other 2.
 
this bruce quote from classic rock mag made me somehow uneasy: "You want the greatest hits, right? Well, we can’t do them all, because we’re going to stop at a certain album. It’s the greatest hits up till then. But the production is going to be out of this world. And we’ve got a set-list that’s going to knock people’s heads off!"

first of all, there is no hit after this period bruce : ) well maybe wicker man...
and we don't just want the greatest hits. it will be not exciting as it would be, if there wont be at least 3 deep cuts. infinite dreams, to tame, only the good, killers, whatever... if you just give us trooper, fear, wrathchild, number, maiden, revelations etc... my wish to see them multiple times will be gone. (but yes, i already bought 4 tickets :( :) )
 
Mosh said:
While we still haven't gotten a whole lot of direct setlist hints, there have been a few and I think we are getting a clearer picture of what to expect. With that being said, I am still feeling pretty good about my setlist prediction from the contest made back in October:
Mosh

Post in thread 'RUN FOR YOUR LIVES - The setlist contest'

1: Moonchild
2: 2 Minutes to Midnight
3: The Trooper
4: 22 Acacia Avenue
5: Phantom of the Opera
6: Die With Your Boots On
7: Killers
8: Rime of the Ancient Mariner
9: Run to the Hills
10: Fear of the Dark
11: Hallowed Be Thy Name
12: Iron Maiden
-------------
13: The Number of the Beast
14: The Evil That Men Do
15: Running Free

In retrospect, I think Moonchild is a miss. I'm now anticipating them opening with Murders again but I think Moonchild remains an outside chance and it's possible both songs end up in the setlist with one of them just not being the opener. I'm very bullish on Killers now. DWYBO and 22 Acacia Avenue are outside choices that I am feeling less bullish on, but I do think those slots are going to be filled by lower tier "classics," probably where a No Prayer song goes if one happens. I'm kinda 50/50 on Rime. Time feels right, it feels like a good olive branch to the diehards, but I also kinda feel like they tend to tease the big epics at some point and so far Phantom has been the explicit Harris epic tease.

Also think I was probably wrong to do 15 songs instead of 16, but we'll see. Curious what everybody else thinks is the "state of play" given some of the recent press.
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Here's my take:
  • They'll play 16 songs. (They've ranged from 15 to 17 over the past decade. They're getting older, which suggests fewer. But songs from this era are shorter, which suggests more. Split the difference and call it 16).
  • We'll hear eight out of ten "greatest hits" from the era. (Iron Maiden, Wrathchild, Run to the Hills, The Number of the Beast, Hallowed by thy Name, The Trooper, 2 Minutes to Midnight, Wasted Years, The Evil That Men Do, Fear of the Dark). These are the safe & predictable choices. They'll want to play most of these songs in order to appeal to the casual fans at larger venues.
  • I excluded Aces High, because I think the intention was to retire it after the Legacy of the Beast tour.
  • There will probably be two "epics" - Phantom of the Opera seems almost certain, and there's a good chance for Rime of the Ancient Mariner. (So we're up to 10).
  • I'd guess we have a couple of songs from the Paul Di'Anno era. Running Free and Sanctuary are probably the safest options. (We're up to 12). Killers, Murders in the Rue Morgue and Remember Tomorrow have also been mentioned.
  • We'll have a couple more songs, aside from the hits, from Dickinson's first five albums (13 and 14). I think Still Life has a good chance. It hasn't been played since the 1980's, it's not too difficult, and it would appeal to hardcore fans. We'd probably get one more from around this era. Infinite Dreams would be ideal, but if they weren't happy with the rehearsals 15 years ago, I'm not sure if they'll play it now. Perhaps something faster and energetic, like Die With Your Boots On, 22 Acacia Avenue, or The Clairvoyant.
  • The last two songs (15 and 16) would come from the last two albums from this era. My guess is we'd get two of Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter (dumb, but easy to play, and catchy - I can see it working well live), and then either Afraid to Shoot Strangers or Be Quick or Be Dead (which would be a great concert opener). Maybe No Prayer for the Dying, but less likely.
  • It depends on exactly which songs are included, obviously, but this would work out to approx 85-90 minutes of studio track time. (If I've added this up correctly, the Futures Past tour had about 96 minutes of studio track time - so maybe there's room for one more song?)
 
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Spambot said:
I was a bit surprised about Nicko (although it was a bit expected) but I got over it.
It may be weird seeing somebody else with them on stage, but to me, it would be way weirder going on their official webpage, clicking tour, and just seeing the background with no foreseeable dates in the future.
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You know, well said. I think I need to see and hear the show.
Mosh said:
In retrospect, I think Moonchild is a miss. I'm now anticipating them opening with Murders again but I think Moonchild remains an outside chance and it's possible both songs end up in the setlist with one of them just not being the opener. I'm very bullish on Killers now. DWYBO and 22 Acacia Avenue are outside choices that I am feeling less bullish on, but I do think those slots are going to be filled by lower tier "classics," probably where a No Prayer song goes if one happens.
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I expect Killers and even Boots more than Moonchild (let's have something different, they can play the title track for an icy setting) and especially Murders, although Nicko played it during one of his recent solo shows. I think there are more ''popular'' songs from album.

I also don't expect 22AA because of the lyrics, but maybe it has a better chance than Prowler, I think the band wouldn't want to copy the 2005 set. I'm curious if they chose to play Afraid To Shoot Strangers again. I would prefer a different 90's song now, although it's a great live hit.
Iron Lurker said:
A deep cut is a song on an album that is less well-known than other songs on the same album or by the same artist. Deep cuts are often obscure, and are only known by the most devoted fans of the artist or band.
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This.
Starblind said:
first of all, there is no hit after this period bruce : ) well maybe wicker man...
and we don't just want the greatest hits. it will be not exciting as it would be, if there wont be at least 3 deep cuts. infinite dreams, to tame, only the good, killers, whatever... if you just give us trooper, fear, wrathchild, number, maiden, revelations etc... my wish to see them multiple times will be gone. (but yes, i already bought 4 tickets :( :) )
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Maybe not hits - but popular songs. Most of the fans only want the greatest hits unfortunately, so Bruce is right. I'm sure they'll throw something surprising, at least 3 songs is normal given the previous tours. They want to do something special and different for every tour.
BloodOnTheBassistsHands said:
Here's my take:
  • They'll play 16 songs. (They've ranged from 15 to 17 over the past decade. They're getting older, which suggests fewer. But songs from this era are shorter, which suggests more. Split the difference and call it 16).
  • We'll hear eight out of ten "greatest hits" from the era. (Iron Maiden, Wrathchild, Run to the Hills, The Number of the Beast, Hallowed by thy Name, The Trooper, 2 Minutes to Midnight, Wasted Years, The Evil That Men Do, Fear of the Dark). These are the safe & predictable choices. They'll want to play most of these songs in order to appeal to the casual fans at larger venues.
  • I excluded Aces High, because I think the intention was to retire it after the Legacy of the Beast tour.
  • There will probably be two "epics" - Phantom of the Opera seems almost certain, and there's a good chance for Rime of the Ancient Mariner. (So we're up to 10).
  • I'd guess we have a couple of songs from the Paul Di'Anno era. Running Free and Sanctuary are probably the safest options. (We're up to 12). Killers, Murders in the Rue Morgue and Remember Tomorrow have also been mentioned.
  • We'll have a couple more songs, aside from the hits, from Dickinson's first five albums (13 and 14). I think Still Life has a good chance. It hasn't been played since the 1980's, it's not too difficult, and it would appeal to hardcore fans. We'd probably get one more from around this era. Infinite Dreams would be ideal, but if they weren't happy with the rehearsals 15 years ago, I'm not sure if they'll play it now. Perhaps something faster and energetic, like Die With Your Boots On, 22 Acacia Avenue, or The Clairvoyant.
  • The last two songs (15 and 16) would come from the last two albums from this era. My guess is we'd get two of Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter (dumb, but easy to play, and catchy - I can see it working well live), and then either Afraid to Shoot Strangers or Be Quick or Be Dead (which would be a great concert opener). Maybe No Prayer for the Dying, but less likely.
  • It depends on exactly which songs are included, obviously, but this would work out to approx 85-90 minutes of studio track time. (If I've added this up correctly, the Futures Past tour had about 96 minutes of studio track time - so maybe there's room for one more song?)
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Overall I agree with everything. Including about Infinite Dreams and an 80's gem from the Bruce albums (not like Boots or Avenue). The differences - no Wasted Years, at least 3 epics, no predictable early days songs. 17 songs would be great.
 
Iron Lurker said:
I can assure you I'm excited by the possibility of them topping the Legacy tour. With Bruce having a bigger say on the setlist these days I'm betting on Killers and hopefully a few more surprises. I'm also not so jaded and look forward to hearing a lot of their best songs, you know, the "hits."
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I'm definitely excited, always with Maiden, like and enjoy, despite the typical theme. It was a good move by the band to skip songs like Hallowed, Number, 2 Minutes, Evil and early days songs in the last 3 legs of the tours. Topping LOTB would be a career highlight! Let's celebrate this big milestone!
 
BloodOnTheBassistsHands said:
Here's my take:
  • They'll play 16 songs. (They've ranged from 15 to 17 over the past decade. They're getting older, which suggests fewer. But songs from this era are shorter, which suggests more. Split the difference and call it 16).
  • We'll hear eight out of ten "greatest hits" from the era. (Iron Maiden, Wrathchild, Run to the Hills, The Number of the Beast, Hallowed by thy Name, The Trooper, 2 Minutes to Midnight, Wasted Years, The Evil That Men Do, Fear of the Dark). These are the safe & predictable choices. They'll want to play most of these songs in order to appeal to the casual fans at larger venues.
  • I excluded Aces High, because I think the intention was to retire it after the Legacy of the Beast tour.
  • There will probably be two "epics" - Phantom of the Opera seems almost certain, and there's a good chance for Rime of the Ancient Mariner. (So we're up to 10).
  • I'd guess we have a couple of songs from the Paul Di'Anno era. Running Free and Sanctuary are probably the safest options. (We're up to 12). Killers, Murders in the Rue Morgue and Remember Tomorrow have also been mentioned.
  • We'll have a couple more songs, aside from the hits, from Dickinson's first five albums (13 and 14). I think Still Life has a good chance. It hasn't been played since the 1980's, it's not too difficult, and it would appeal to hardcore fans. We'd probably get one more from around this era. Infinite Dreams would be ideal, but if they weren't happy with the rehearsals 15 years ago, I'm not sure if they'll play it now. Perhaps something faster and energetic, like Die With Your Boots On, 22 Acacia Avenue, or The Clairvoyant.
  • The last two songs (15 and 16) would come from the last two albums from this era. My guess is we'd get two of Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter (dumb, but easy to play, and catchy - I can see it working well live), and then either Afraid to Shoot Strangers or Be Quick or Be Dead (which would be a great concert opener). Maybe No Prayer for the Dying, but less likely.
  • It depends on exactly which songs are included, obviously, but this would work out to approx 85-90 minutes of studio track time. (If I've added this up correctly, the Futures Past tour had about 96 minutes of studio track time - so maybe there's room for one more song?)
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As a poor man´s expert if I say so myself:

100% certain: Iron Maiden, FOTD, Phantom of the Opera, Running Free. Also Sanctuary is extremely likely
Some classics obviously, probably at least the three amigos from TNOTB since none was played on Future Past Tour and Trooper etc
NO songs from SIT due to just being played
1-2 never played songs or extremely rarely
A deep cut from Killers
2 songs from the 90s apart from FOTD title track
And the rest are neither rare nor played to boredom
 
Blood On The World´s Hand said:
As a poor man´s expert if I say so myself:

100% certain: Iron Maiden, FOTD, Phantom of the Opera, Running Free. Also Sanctuary is extremely likely
Some classics obviously, probably at least the three amigos from TNOTB since none was played on Future Past Tour and Trooper etc
NO songs from SIT due to just being played
1-2 never played songs or extremely rarely
A deep cut from Killers
2 songs from the 90s apart from FOTD title track
And the rest are neither rare nor played to boredom
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I don't know about both "Running Free" and "Sanctuary". They will have to do a 17 song setlist and I don't think they will. Lately they prefer longer songs and 15 or 16 song setlists. Also, a deep cut from Killers is either the title track or Murders, I guess. I'd like a 17 song setlist with RF and Sanctuary encore though.
 
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