Bruce Dickinson recently addressed Iron Maiden’s request for fans to limit phone usage during concerts. He explained the band’s reasoning in a statement shared on Charlie Kendall’s Metalshop.
The Iron Maiden frontman’s comments focused on concerns about mental health and community connection at live shows.
“I just get worried about people’s mental health with the stuff that goes on in the web,” Dickinson said. “I just think it puts too much pressure on people and people forget how to be a community anymore.”
He elaborated on the band’s approach to encouraging audience engagement during performances.
“That’s why in Maiden, we’re trying to say to people, ‘When you come to a show, why don’t you just keep your phone in your pocket and try and look at everybody else around you and join the show and be there for the people that you are with,’ you know?” he continued.
Dickinson emphasized that the band’s stance is not mandatory but rather a courteous suggestion.
“It’s not a requirement, it’s a request,” he explained. “It’s a polite request. What is the point in paying all this money and turning up and staring at a tiny little box for like, I don’t know, however long. I mean, first of all, Maiden’s show is two and a bit hours long, so your arm’s gonna get real tired.”
Dickinson’s comments reflect a broader initiative by Iron Maiden’s management to enhance the concert experience for both the band and their audience.
AXS TV reported that Iron Maiden’s longtime manager Rod Smallwood has repeatedly urged fans to severely limit phone use during their Run For Your Lives World Tour. He cited the distraction of a sea of screens and the impact it has on both the band and the fans’ live experience. Smallwood has expressed hope that fans will be “sensible” and respectful, as reducing phone usage creates a more genuine concert atmosphere.
The Iron Maiden frontman has also praised similar initiatives by other bands in the metal community. Louder Sound noted that Dickinson praised the phone ban implemented by the band Ghost during their 2023 shows. He observed that it led to increased direct human interaction and made fans more engaged. He recalled seeing people waving and saying hello to him in a way “like human beings,” which would not have happened if phones had been out.
Iron Maiden’s approach remains less strict than Ghost’s complete ban. Their message aligns with this philosophy of fostering connection and presence at live events. Loudwire highlighted that the band’s management continues to emphasize that this request is about creating a better experience for everyone involved rather than imposing restrictions.
The band’s current Run For Your Lives World Tour continues to promote this phone-conscious approach. Additional tour dates beyond Europe are expected to be announced soon alongside a documentary film commemorating Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary slated for release later this year.
