Brian May Rules Out Queen Playing Glastonbury

Brian May has dismissed any suggestion that Queen could appear at the Glastonbury Festival when it returns in 2027. Despite the iconic British event hosting recent headliners such as Guns N’ Roses, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and Paul McCartney, May made it clear that Queen’s presence at Worthy Farm is highly unlikely.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the guitarist cited ethical concerns as the primary reason. “I wouldn’t do Glastonbury next year because of the politics of the people who run it,” he said. “Unless that changes, I won’t do it. They like killing badgers, and they think it’s for sport… and that’s something I cannot support because we’ve been trying to save these badgers for years.”

Animal Rights at the Forefront

May’s stance is consistent with his long-standing commitment to animal welfare. A vocal campaigner, he founded the Save Me Trust in 2010 to oppose fox hunting and badger culling. When asked whether Queen had routinely turned down invitations to play Glastonbury, May suggested the subject had never truly arisen. “I don’t think the conversation of us doing it has ever taken place because they know how I feel,” he explained.

The comments underline how firmly May’s personal values shape his professional decisions, even when it comes to one of the most prestigious festival stages in the world.

Queen on Hiatus, but Not Silent

Queen’s last live performance with Adam Lambert took place on February 14, 2024, when they wrapped up their acclaimed Rhapsody tour at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Since then, the band has remained off the road, with no immediate plans to return.

“I don’t know when Queen will be back on stage, it’s an unknown—we’ll take it day by day,” May said. “It was time to take a break and spend time with family, take stock.”

While live shows remain uncertain, May has been busy behind the scenes. He is currently assembling material for a deluxe box set reissue of Queen II, expected later this year. In December, he offered fans an early preview by debuting an unreleased track, Not For Sale (Polar Bear), on his Planet Rock radio show. The song dates back to 1969, originally written for Smile—the pre-Queen trio featuring May and Roger Taylor—and later reworked by Queen with vocals shared between May and the late Freddie Mercury.

For now, Queen’s future remains open-ended—but as May’s comments suggest, any return to the stage will happen strictly on the band’s own terms.