Brian May Says Queen Won’t Tour the U.S. — Citing a “Dangerous” Political Climate

Brian May has indicated that Queen are unlikely to return to the United States in the near future, citing what he views as an increasingly volatile political climate. The guitarist described the situation as “dangerous,” suggesting that safety concerns now outweigh the band’s long-standing affection for touring America.

Queen, who have performed with Adam Lambert as frontman since 2012, last toured North America in 2023. Despite decades of success across the continent, May confirmed that there are currently no plans to revisit the region.

His comments arrive amid heightened tensions in the U.S., following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good during ICE operations in Minneapolis and nationwide protests directed at the administration of Donald Trump.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, May explained, “America is a dangerous place at the moment, so you have to take that into account.”

Reflecting on Queen’s history with the country, he added, “It’s very sad because I feel like Queen grew up in America and we love it, but it’s not what it was. Everyone is thinking twice about going there at the moment.”

The Sphere Dreams on Hold

Only months earlier, May had sounded far more optimistic about Queen’s future in the U.S., revealing that the band were in early discussions about a potential residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, he spoke enthusiastically about the venue’s immersive potential. “I’m very keen on the Sphere. It’s got my mind working,” May said. “I sat there watching the Eagles, thinking, ‘We should do this. The stuff that we could bring to this would be stupendous.’ So, yeah, I would like to do it. We’re having conversations.”

Given May’s recent remarks, however, the prospect of that residency now appears uncertain, underscoring how rapidly shifting political and social realities can derail even the most ambitious creative plans.

Principles Over Prestigious Stages

The U.S. is not the only major territory Queen are choosing to avoid. The band will also not be appearing at Glastonbury Festival, due to an ongoing disagreement between May and the festival’s founder, Michael Eavis, over the culling of badgers.

Earlier this month, May told the Daily Mail, “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 expanded on his stance, saying, “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. And they are still being killed for years, so that’s the reason we’re missing out on it.”

The dispute is not new. In 2018, Eavis publicly labeled May a “danger to farming” for opposing the culling of badgers as a means of controlling bovine tuberculosis.

For May, however, the issue goes beyond a single festival or farming policy. His refusal to compromise reflects a broader philosophy that has increasingly shaped his public life: that cultural prestige and iconic platforms mean little if they come at the expense of deeply held ethical beliefs. As Queen continue to weigh where — and whether — they perform next, May’s comments suggest the band’s future decisions will be guided less by legacy opportunities and more by conscience, even if that means stepping away from stages once central to their global rise.