Steve Harris recently hinted that Iron Maiden might take a break after their current world tour ends. He addressed the band’s future plans in a statement shared on Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk.
The Iron Maiden bassist discussed the possibility of the band taking a year off following their 50th-anniversary ‘Run For Your Lives’ world tour. He also expressed his personal concerns about stopping.
“Obviously Maiden comes first, always has done and always will, but, you know, whenever there’s a bit of time, we can go out and do some other shows,” Harris said. “I think next year it seems like Maiden are not going to do, if anything at all, next year, really, so I might go out and do some festivals next year, perhaps, with British Lion in the European festivals. But, you know, it’s just, you know, it’s early days yet.”
Harris emphasized that the decision hasn’t been finalized and requires discussion with his bandmates.
“I haven’t really got through it all, what we’re doing,” he continued. “I just wanna wait when I get back with the lads, Maiden lads, that is. I just wanna make sure that that is what everyone wants, to take this year off. It seems like it is, but I just wanna double-check that everyone’s up for that.”
The bassist also revealed his personal reluctance about taking time off. He cited concerns about maintaining momentum at their age.
“I mean, I wasn’t particularly, so, you know, we’ll see if there’s any others that… Well, I just think at our age, I think you just gotta keep going,” Harris said. “I’m scared of stopping, I’m honest. But we’ll see. I mean, I don’t know. I think it looks like it’s gonna be a year off, so if that’s the case, then I don’t wanna sit around twiddling my thumbs for a year.”
The comments suggest Harris may pursue projects with his side band British Lion if Iron Maiden does take the anticipated break.
Harris’s comments come as Iron Maiden continues their extensive ‘Run For Your Lives’ world tour. This tour represents a significant milestone in the band’s career spanning five decades.
The ‘Run For Your Lives’ tour marks Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary celebrations and has been one of their most ambitious undertakings to date. Iron Maiden’s official website reported that the tour is visiting the Americas and beyond as part of their anniversary celebrations. The extensive nature of this tour may explain Harris’s consideration of a break, as the band has been maintaining a rigorous schedule throughout 2026.
The band’s commitment to their fans has been evident throughout the tour. It has even taken precedence over major industry recognition. Eddie Trunk revealed that Iron Maiden will not be attending the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 14, as they will be in Australia for the penultimate stop of their 50th-anniversary celebrations. Manager Rod Smallwood emphasized that “fans always come first” and that “the shows will, of course, go on,” with no changes to the Australasia dates.
This fan-first philosophy aligns with Harris’s dedication to continuing performances, even as he contemplates the band’s future. OutKick noted that the final batch of shows for the ‘Run For Your Lives’ tour was announced just over a month ago, indicating the tour’s conclusion is approaching. The timing of Harris’s comments about a potential break suggests the band is already planning for what comes after this major touring cycle.
The potential hiatus would mark a rare pause for Iron Maiden, who have maintained an active touring and recording schedule throughout their career. Harris’s mention of pursuing European festivals with British Lion during any break period demonstrates his commitment to staying musically active, even if Iron Maiden takes time off. This approach reflects the bassist’s stated fear of stopping and his belief that the band should “keep going” at their age.
