Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris has revealed that the band will take a hiatus following their Run for Your Lives World Tour. The decision was made by his bandmates who outvoted him on the matter. Harris expressed his personal disagreement with the break, stating: “It looks like we’re taking next year off. Personally, I didn’t want to, but that’s me. I’m just one of six people, despite what people might think. They don’t just all do as they’re told. Otherwise we’d be doing stuff next year, too.”
The bassist also addressed concerns about the band’s creative direction. He emphasized that Iron Maiden remains committed to producing original material rather than retreading past successes. “Anyone can harp on about the early stuff, but what’s the point in doing Run to the Hills Part Two or The Trooper Part Two?” Harris explained. “We tend to get together in rehearsals and have a chat and see what everyone wants to do and go from there.”
The decision to take time off comes as the legendary heavy metal band continues their ambitious 50th-anniversary tour. This tour has already captured the attention of millions of fans worldwide.
The Run for Your Lives World Tour spans from 2025 to late 2026, according to Wikipedia. It serves as Iron Maiden’s celebration of their 50th anniversary by focusing on material from their first nine studio albums. The tour began in May 2025 and has already demonstrated remarkable commercial success. The initial 32 European shows sold over a million tickets.
The tour’s scope has expanded significantly since its announcement. The tour was extended on September 18, 2025, to include additional European dates. South American shows are planned for late 2026. The band has also performed at prestigious venues, including two nights at Yokohama’s K Arena in Japan. This further cements the tour’s global reach and the enduring appeal of Iron Maiden’s legacy.
Following the tour’s conclusion in late 2026, the band plans a touring break through at least 2027–2028. No touring is scheduled until at least 2028. This announcement was made the same week as Iron Maiden’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on April 13, 2026, underscoring the significance of the decision during a celebratory period for the band.
The hiatus aligns with Iron Maiden’s historical pattern of requiring substantial rest periods after grueling world tours. The band previously took a six-month break following their 2023–2024 Future Past Tour. This demonstrates that extended touring schedules necessitate recovery time for the aging but still-vital musicians.
