Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith criticises bands who use backing tracks at gigs
Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith has voiced his disapproval at bands who rely on backing tracks at their live shows.
In a wide-ranging interview with the New York Post ahead of Iron Maiden’s two shows at Brooklyn Barclays Center this weekend, Adrian was asked about his thoughts on backing tracks.
Stressing that all of Iron Maiden's music is 100% live, Adrian responded: “I tell you what, I see it with a lot of younger bands, and I don’t think it’s a good thing at all.
“I mean, the music is getting too technical now. You have computerized recording systems, which we use, but I think we use them more for convenience than because we need to.”
Without naming any names, Adrian continued: “We’ve toured with a couple bands that use tapes - it’s not real. You’re supposed to play live; it should be live. I don’t agree with using tapes … I think it’s a real shame.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Adrian reflected upon Iron Maiden’s longevity, saying: “There’s not that many bands that have been around as long as we have.
“I left the band in ’89, I had a bit of a break, which was great for me. I appreciate every second of it now, but maybe in the ’80s it was slightly different.
“I think we really enjoy playing live. It’s hard with the traveling, it’s hard for anybody. It’s unique, the fact that we’ve been together for so long, but I suppose as long as people want to come see us, we’ll keep putting on shows.”
Iron Maiden kicked off the North American leg of their Legacy of the Beast Tour at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida last Thursday (18th July). The colossal 33-date trek continues at Jiffy Lube Live in in Bristow, Virginia tonight.
The setlist, which is the same as last year’s European trek, is as follows:
1. Aces High
2. Where Eagles Dare
3. 2 Minutes To Midnight
4. The Clansman
5. The Trooper
6. Revelations
7. For The Greater Good Of God
8. The Wicker Man
9. Sign Of The Cross
10. Flight Of Icarus
11. Fear Of The Dark
12. The Number Of The Beast
13. Iron Maiden
Encore:
14. The Evil That Men Do
15. Hallowed Be They Name
16. Run To The Hills
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