Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Talks Solo Tour, New Album, and Live Performance Philosophy
Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of Iron Maiden, is gearing up for his first extensive North American solo tour in nearly three decades to support his upcoming solo album, The Mandrake Project. In a recent interview, Dickinson revealed that he is already working on the follow-up album with his band, which will not be conceptual like The Mandrake Project. The new album will feature around 9 to 11 tracks that are described as "absolute bangers" and will be recorded live to capture a different feel compared to their previous work.
Despite the band's reputation for over-the-top theatrics, Dickinson mentioned that Iron Maiden is not interested in playing at the state-of-the-art immersive Sphere in Las Vegas, as they value the relationship between the band and the audience during their live shows. Dickinson expressed his discomfort with the idea of performing in such a setting, emphasizing that the band's focus is on delivering an engaging live performance rather than being part of a high-tech spectacle.
Iron Maiden recently completed the first leg of their Run For Your Lives World Tour, commemorating 50 years since the band's formation. During the tour, the band requested fans to limit their use of phones and tablets to film concerts, as excessive phone use can detract from the live experience for both the band and other concertgoers. The band's manager, Rod Smallwood, emphasized the importance of being fully present and engaged in the moment during their shows to fully appreciate the music and the visual elements of their performance.
In addition to their tour, Iron Maiden fans can look forward to a feature-length documentary film set to be released in cinemas worldwide later this year, as well as an official hardback book celebrating 50 years of the band's iconic history. The documentary and book will provide fans with a deeper insight into the band's journey and artistic evolution over the past five decades.