Iron Maiden's Manager Wishes Phone-Addicted Fans 'Nothing But A Very Sore Arm'

The manager of veteran heavy metal icons Iron Maiden has doubled-down on his request for fans to put their phones away in a new post following their tour kick-off.

Longtime manager Rod Smallwood made his initial request to fans last month, asking ahead of the launch of Iron Maiden’s Run For Your Lives Tour that they “respect the band” by “singing your heart out, rather than getting your phone out.”

“We really want fans to enjoy the shows first-hand, rather than on their small screens,” Smallwood explained. “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.”

Now, following Iron Maiden kicking off their tour in Hungary on Tuesday, May 27th, Smallwood took to social media over the weekend to thank fans for their support, and for getting behind the debut shows of new drummer Simon Dawson, who took over from Nicko McBrain following his retirement from the touring circuit last year.

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In his post, Smallwood also thanked those who had taken his pleas to heart and stayed off their phones for the tour’s first shows.

“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,” he explained. “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!

“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,” he added. “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.”

Iron Maiden’s tour continues through Europe and the UK from June to August, with more tour dates to be announced.

The veteran metal act made their long-awaited return to Australia in September 2024. Reviewing their show at Perth’s RAC Arena, The Music’s Jake Fitzpatrick wrote: “Despite their long career, this is a band that clearly still has it.

“With a setlist spanning their illustrious career, a production that was nothing short of spectacular, and an electrified crowd, the evening was a testament to why Iron Maiden remains one of the greatest bands in rock history.”