If you’re heading to see Iron Maiden this November, there’s one very clear message from the metal icons: Be present. Not posting.
As the English heavyweights prepare to bring their massive Run For Your Lives tour to Australia — alongside thrash legends Megadeth — the band is urging fans to keep phone use to an absolute minimum.
Maiden’s long-time manager has said the request isn’t about control — it’s about atmosphere. During their recent European dates, fans who largely kept their devices in their pockets helped create what the band described as a noticeably stronger live experience.
And apparently, everyone felt the difference.
The band is now hoping Aussie crowds follow suit — especially those packed into the standing sections at Adelaide Entertainment Centre (Nov 11), Melbourne’s AAMI Park (Nov 13), Sydney’s Allianz Stadium (Nov 15) and Brisbane Entertainment Centre (Nov 18).
The Rise Of The Phone-Free Show
Iron Maiden aren’t the first to push back against the wall of glowing screens.
Swedish rock outfit Ghost recently made headlines for enforcing fully phone-free shows on their global tour. Fans were required to seal devices in locked pouches for the duration of the concert — and many walked away calling it one of the most immersive live experiences they’d had in years.
@roximom2013 #thebandghost #ghost #tobiasforge ♬ original sound – Regina Edwards
Other major artists have experimented with similar restrictions, all chasing the same thing: that old-school, electric, unpredictable concert energy that can get diluted when half the crowd is watching through a lens.
For legacy bands like Maiden — whose theatrical stage production and larger-than-life presence are central to the show — that shared atmosphere matters.
A Memorable Double Bill
The Australian run carries extra weight.
Megadeth are currently on their final-ever world tour, making this a rare chance to see two metal powerhouses share the same stage. Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris has spoken warmly about his long friendship with Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, saying the pairing makes for a particularly special send-off.
For fans, it’s shaping up to be more than just another tour — it’s a moment.
Moving Forward After Big Changes
The upcoming shows also mark a new chapter for Maiden.
After drummer Nicko McBrain suffered a stroke in 2023, he later made the decision to step back from the physical demands of touring in late 2024. The band considered their future carefully before choosing to continue on the road — determined to honour their commitments and keep the music alive for fans worldwide.
It’s a path other rock institutions like AC/DC and The Rolling Stones have navigated before — evolving without stopping.
Now, as Maiden gear up for their return down under, they’re asking Aussie fans for one small thing in exchange for what promises to be a massive night: Live it. Don’t livestream it.
