Queen, Brian May: “America is dangerous, we won't be touring there”

Brian May has ruled out a Queen US tour, calling the country's current situation “too risky” to plan any new dates. In an interview with the Daily Mail, the guitarist explained that touring America today requires far more caution than in the past: “America is a dangerous place at the moment, so you have to factor that in”. The band's last North American tour dates back to 2023, as part of the “Rhapsody Tour” with Adam Lambert.

May also reflected on Queen's historic bond with American audiences, noting how much things have changed since the early days of the band's career: “It's very sad, because I feel Queen grew up in America and we love it, but it's not the same place it used to be. Right now everyone thinks twice before going there”.

His comments come amid a climate of intense social tension in the United States, marked by protests against ICE, the federal immigration agency. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during agency operations have sparked a national debate, while ICE has described its activities in Minnesota as "the largest mass deportation operation in American history." Numerous musicians have spoken out against the agency and against President Donald Trump, including Billie Eilish, Green Day, Neil Young, Moby, Zara Larsson, Duran Duran and Dave Matthews, while Bruce Springsteen released the track "Streets Of Minneapolis" as a form of protest, dedicating it to ICE's victims, and Billy Bragg dedicated his "City Of Heroes" to the city.

Queen have clashed with Trump over political matters before. In 2016 and 2019 the band blocked the use of “We Will Rock You” at events tied to his election campaign, speaking openly of “an uphill battle”.

Earlier this month May also ruled out a Queen appearance at Glastonbury Festival, citing political reasons and founder Michael Eavis's support for badger culling: “Until that position changes, I won't do it”. On the musical side, the guitarist confirmed that the band has been working on new material with Adam Lambert and that options such as a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas have been considered. May's wife, Anita Dobson, has however played down the prospects of any major future tours, speaking instead of occasional appearances.

In 2024 Brian May suffered a minor stroke, which temporarily limited the use of one of his arms. He described the episode as “frightening” and as a serious wake-up call for his health. Over the Christmas period Queen released the previously unreleased track “Not For Sale (Polar Bear)”. The band remains the most-played rock act on UK radio in the 21st century. Their last European tour dates back to 2022, while their most recent live dates took place in Asia in early 2024. May has also recently ruled out a Queen appearance at Glastonbury Festival for a curious political reason: a long-standing disagreement with festival founder Michael Eavis over his stance on badger culling. In a new interview with the Daily Mail, May explained that the band will not take part in the 2027 edition of the Worthy Farm festival, nor in any future editions, unless the organisers make a radical change of course. “I wouldn't do Glastonbury next year because of the politics of the people who run it. Unless that changes, it won't happen”, he said.

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