Iron Maiden are enforcing a phone-free standing area at their upcoming Paris show, as it will be filmed for a new concert film.
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The band are set to play the La Défense Arena on Monday (June 22) as part of their ‘Run For Your Lives’ tour, which kicked off last year. Now, they’ve announced that the gig will be filmed, so fans in the standing and General Admission areas will not be permitted to use their phones.
The band announced the policy on Facebook and shared a step-by-step graphic on how to use Yondr pouches – the lockable phone storage devices that have become popular among artists seeking phone-free shows.
Fans in the standing and General Admission area will have their devices locked in pouches upon entry, with the pouches remaining with the fan at all times throughout the night. Designated phone-use areas will be available within the arena for emergencies, and physical payment cards will be required at bars and merchandise stands.
The band wrote in the post’s caption: “The standing/General Admission area in La Défense Arena will be entirely phone-free to make sure the experience is optimal for the live recording of the Run For Your Lives Tour film. Yondr pouches will be provided upon entry to the venue to store your mobile device during the show. Your device will be locked in the pouch on arrival and unlocked when you leave at the end of the night.”
Last year, shortly before the tour commenced, their manager Ron Smallwood urged fans to refrain from filming the band’s performances on their phones during the shows. Writing a post titled ‘Put Away Your Phones and Get Ready to Run For Your Lives!’, he implored gig-goers to experience the shows “in the moment” rather than through a phone screen.
He explained the band wanted fans to experience the show “as they would have when many of these songs were first played live back in 80’s”.
Later, after the tour had kicked off, Smallwood followed up with a new Instagram post, thanking those who had respected the band’s request, and wishing anyone who didn’t “nothing but a very sore arm!”
Iron Maiden EddFest poster. CREDIT: PRESS
In other Iron Maiden news, the band are headlining a huge show at Knebworth this summer, with support from The Darkness, The Hu and others. It takes place on July 11, with camping options for the full EddFest weekend event. Find any remaining tickets here.
Earlier this year, Iron Maiden revealed the Knebworth gig would be part of the “once-in-a-lifetime” EddFest weekender – named after the band’s longtime mascot. Fans will have access to the ‘Infinite Dreams Museum Experience’, a walk-through display of stage props and relics inspired by their 2025 career-spanning book ‘Infinite Dreams’, while July 10 will feature a specially curated line-up of acts with a connection to the band, with full sets from Stray, Maiden United, Airforce, Tony Moore’s Awake and Hair Metal Glamageddon on the Maidenville Stage.
The band are also one of this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, but will not be attending, having previously described it as “an utter and complete load of bollocks”.
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