Sir Brian May, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of Queen, has made a significant revelation about the band's future touring plans, expressing profound sadness over potential changes to their itinerary. In a candid interview, May indicated that Queen might avoid one of their most cherished destinations due to growing safety concerns.
Safety Fears Influence Touring Decisions
Speaking to the Mail's Richard Eden, Sir Brian May described the current situation in the United States as "very sad," revealing that the band must now take into account the perceived dangers when planning their next tour. Queen, who last toured with frontman Adam Lambert in 2020, have a deep historical connection with America, but May insists the country is no longer "what it was."
"America is a dangerous place at the moment, so you have to take that into account," May stated bluntly. "It's very sad because I feel like Queen grew up in America and we love it, but it's not what it was." He further observed that "everyone is thinking twice about going there at the moment," highlighting widespread apprehension.
Political Climate Under Trump Administration
The guitarist's comments come against the backdrop of Donald Trump's second inauguration as the 47th President of the United States in January 2025. The Trump administration has been embroiled in controversy, particularly regarding the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a bid to crack down on illegal immigration, the administration has expanded ICE's budget and operations, leading to:
- A reported doubling of arrests
- Rising detention rates
- Falling border crossing numbers
These measures have prompted significant protests in major American cities, with tensions escalating following the deployment of 2,000 ICE agents to Minneapolis and the subsequent deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Not the First Political Stand
This isn't the first time political considerations have influenced Queen's touring schedule. Earlier this month, Brian May declared that Queen would never perform at the Glastonbury Festival due to political differences with the organisers, the Eavis family.
As a prominent animal rights activist, May explained his position: "I wouldn't do Glastonbury next year because of the politics of the people who run it. Unless that changes, I won't do it." He specifically cited the festival organisers' support for badger culling, a practice aimed at tackling bovine tuberculosis that he vehemently opposes.
"They like killing badgers, and they think it's for sport," May told the Daily Mail. "That's something I cannot support because we've been trying to save these badgers for years, and they are still being killed. So that's the reason we're missing out on it."
Festival founder Sir Michael Eavis, a dairy farmer, responded by calling the guitarist a "danger to farming," illustrating the depth of their disagreement. When asked whether Queen had repeatedly declined to play the festival, May clarified: "I don't think the conversation of us doing has ever taken place because they know how I feel."
A Band Forged in America
Brian May's comments carry particular weight given Queen's historical relationship with the United States. The guitarist, who co-founded the band alongside the late Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, emphasised how the Bohemian Rhapsody legends "grew up" in America, making their potential avoidance of the country particularly poignant.
The revelation marks another chapter in the intersection of music and politics for one of rock's most enduring acts, demonstrating how global circumstances continue to shape artistic decisions even for established legends.
