Now revealed why Iron Maiden switched from backdrops to digital screens for their shows

In a recent interview with Spain’s El Jevilongo, Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith addressed the band’s production choices for the current “Run For Your Lives” 50th-anniversary tour. He explained that the tour features digital screens in place of the physical backdrops and props that were typical of Maiden’s earlier performances, as reported by blabbermouth.net.

I think we were always very traditional in our production. With the backdrops, it was like you were going to see a play in the theater. I think our [longtime] manager Rod Smallwood usually has a vision for the shows and he gets together with Steve. Bruce has a lot to do with the visuals. Bruce, he’s getting more and more and more involved in stuff going on stage, like the gun battle with Eddie and all that. I don’t get involved in that, to be honest. But I think it was a conscious thing to maybe sort of just change it up a little bit, just to give a different look…I mean, I like it.

Nicko McBrain, the drummer for Iron Maiden, who withdrew from touring with the band a year prior, commented on the transition in Maiden’s stage production. He noted the shift from traditional physical backdrops and props to the utilization of digital screens during a concert in Clearwater, Florida. This statement was made in July while performing with his Titanium Tart project.

What do you guys think about the screens that they’ve got? Hands up who thinks they’re great. Hands up, those people that prefer the old way.

Following some audience members’ expressions of preference for physical backdrops and props, Nicko proceeded.

I know, and I spoke to Rod about this last year. ‘Cause I saw the sketch with these screens, and I said to him, ‘Hey, I don’t think we should be [changing the way we do things].’ He said, ‘We’ve gotta move into the 21st century, Nick.’ He said, ‘This is the 50th-anniversary tour. We’ve gotta have something special.’ I said, ‘Well, then put more drapes up. More drapes. Instead of The Trooper just having Eddie on the horse with his sword out, have him firing the gun off the… whatever. You put another one halfway through the song. But that’s what they went with. I’m old school. I would’ve liked to see the drapes and the screens on the side.