Iron Maiden recently kicked off their “Run For Your Lives” tour, performing two shows in Budapest, Hungary last week. Shortly before the tour commenced, the band’s manager Ron Smallwood asked fans to avoid using their phones during the gigs, imploring them to instead try to experience the shows “in the moment” rather than through a phone screen.
Smallwood added that Bruce Dickinson and co. wants the audience to experience the show “as they would have when many of these songs were first played live back in the 80’s.”
After the shows in Budapest, Smallwood shared a statement to Iron Maiden’s website thanking fans for coming out to the first two stops on the “Run For Your Lives” world tour.
He also thanked those who respected the band’s request and refrained from using their phones, while simultaneously calling out those who didn’t.
“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. That was a great boost for us and the band appreciated it greatly,” he wrote.
“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!”
“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 tomorrow 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.”
