Just prior to the start of their “Run For Your Lives” world tour, Iron Maiden and specifically their manager Rod Smallwood made a request to fans to refrain from using their phones at the shows. “We really want fans to enjoy the shows first hand, rather than on their small screens,” Smallwood said. “The amount of phone use nowadays diminishes enjoyment, particularly for the band who are on stage looking out at rows of phones, but also for other concertgoers. We feel that the passion and involvement of our fans at shows really makes them special, but the phone obsession has now got so out of hand that it has become unnecessarily distracting, especially to the band. I hope fans understand this and will be sensible in severely limiting the use of their phone cameras out of respect for the band and their fellow fans.”
Maiden kicked off the tour last week in Budapest, Hungary, and while Smallwood praised most of the audience, he blasted “selfish” fans who disregarded the request and filmed most the show. “A huge thank you to every one of you who kept your phones down, respected the band and your fellow fans, and embraced the show the way it’s meant to be experienced — in the room with us,” Smallwood wrote. “That was a great boost for us and the band appreciated it greatly. It is so much better when they can see you unencumbered and that drives them on without that distraction. For the selfish few that didn’t and just had to keep videoing… I wish you nothing but a very sore arm!”
The manager continued: “But they were few, and we do hope this support from fans, especially in the floor area in front of the sound desk, continues in Prague and beyond. As I said before, by all means take the odd quick pic as a memento of a great night, but otherwise please keep your phone in your pocket.”
