Legendary rock band Queen are exploring groundbreaking technology to bring their original line-up, including the late frontman Freddie Mercury, back to the stage. This ambitious plan, revealed by guitarist Sir Brian May, would use cutting-edge immersive technology to recreate the experience of a classic Queen performance for a new generation.
The Vision for a Digital Reunion
In a recent interview, Sir Brian May, 78, confirmed that he and drummer Roger Taylor, 76, are actively investigating ways to resurrect the band's iconic original formation. This would feature not only Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991, but also bassist John Deacon, 74, who retired from the music industry in 1997.
Sir Brian told the Big Issue that the concept goes far beyond simply replaying old footage. He explained that the goal is to create a new, immersive Queen experience. "It wouldn't be just playing old footage. It would be creating Queen as if we were creating it today," he said. "I'm very taken with the idea that we can be the original Queen again."
He pointed to venues like The Sphere in Las Vegas as the perfect setting for such a show, where technology could "give people the experience very closely of what things were like for us when we were Freddie, John, Brian and Roger."
Building on Abba's Hologram Success
The band's inspiration comes directly from the phenomenal success of Abba Voyage, a concert that has used hologram technology, or 'Abbatars', to present the Swedish pop group in their 1970s prime. Since its launch in 2022, the London-based Abba Voyage has been seen by more than three million people.
Roger Taylor believes that technology has advanced significantly since the Abba show was developed, suggesting that even more spectacular feats are now possible. He stated that he thinks Mercury would be "thrilled" that the band's music remains relevant and that this modern approach is being considered.
Technology and Trademarks Point to the Future
Rumours of a Queen hologram show began to intensify when the company managing Freddie Mercury's estate filed a trademark for his name for use in 3D and Virtual Reality (VR). While the band's representatives initially had "nothing to say" on the matter, Brian May's recent comments have given the project a firm confirmation.
Taylor acknowledged the band's mortality as a driving factor, noting, "We haven't finished yet, we can play fine, but we are getting older, and so we're just looking at all the options, especially with the incredible technology we have now which is literally changing by the day."
With six UK number one singles and ten UK number one albums to their name, including timeless anthems like 'Bohemian Rhapsody', the potential for a digitally-rendered Queen concert promises to be a major event in the music and entertainment world.
