In a recent interview with Classic Rock, Bruce Dickinson, the dynamic frontman of Iron Maiden, emphasized the band’s unwavering dedication to genuine live performances. He firmly stated that if the band ever resorted to using pre-recorded tracks during concerts, he would part ways with Iron Maiden. Dickinson passionately remarked, “Iron Maiden has to be 100% real. And f***ing ferocious!”
Reflecting on a conversation with a devoted fan, Dickinson shared, “Recently, a guy, a big fan, said to me, ‘It’s great to see that Iron Maiden is still on stage.’ I said, ‘Yes, and we’re doing it for real. There’s no detuning.’ This guy said, ‘Many bands use backing tracks now…’ I said, ‘No! No, no.’ If we use backing tracks, that’s the day I quit. Or the day we stop. If it’s not real, it’s not Iron Maiden.”
He further elaborated on this topic during an appearance on the Rich Roll podcast last fall, stating, “We still play all the songs in the original key. We don’t detune. We don’t do any of that on any of the songs. And this guy was like, ‘Oh, yeah, but you’ve been going around for years. All these bands now detune and use backing tracks, they all use…’ I said, ‘Okay, stop right there. No. We’re not going to do that because it’s not authentic. It’s not real. You start getting into the world of Disney World. So, no. If I can’t do it as it should be, I shouldn’t be doing it.'”
Iron Maiden is set to return to the stage on July 5, 2025, with a tour focusing on tracks from their first nine albums, spanning from ‘Iron Maiden’ to ‘Fear of the Dark’. This concert will electrify the Estadio Metropolitano. Tickets are still available for this event.
