Queen Guitarist Brian May Declares America 'Too Dangerous' for Band to Tour
Queen guitarist Brian May has explicitly ruled out any plans for the legendary rock band to tour in the United States for the foreseeable future, citing significant safety concerns and a deteriorating climate for artists and visitors. The 78-year-old musician expressed profound sadness over the decision, given the band's deep historical connection with American audiences.
'A Dangerous Place at the Moment'
In a candid interview with the Daily Mail, May stated, "America is a dangerous place at the moment, so you have to take that into account." He elaborated on the band's emotional ties to the country, remarking, "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."
While May did not specify the exact nature of the dangers, his comments arrive amidst a period of heightened anxiety for both American citizens and international travellers. Concerns frequently cited include:
- Potential violence from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
- Examinations of political beliefs and affiliations.
- The persistent threat of mass shootings, with 425 such incidents reported in 2025 alone, resulting in 420 fatalities and 1,898 injuries.
A Growing Trend Among International Artists
May's apprehensions are not isolated. A growing number of international performers have cancelled or avoided US engagements, citing similar fears over safety and the political environment.
Earlier this week, British dance music artist Piri cancelled a US tour, referencing "what's going on in the US right now" as a key factor. In 2025, renowned Hungarian classical pianist András Schiff withdrew from all US concerts, stating he felt "morally obligated" to do so due to "unprecedented political changes" in the country.
Perhaps most notably, Puerto Rican global superstar Bad Bunny confirmed to i-D magazine that fears over ICE raids at concerts were a primary reason for excluding the US from his recent world tour. "Man, honestly, yes," he replied when asked if deportation fears influenced his decision. "There was the issue of – like, fucking ICE could be outside [a concert]. And it's something that we were talking about and very concerned about."
This sentiment has led to the cancellation of numerous events celebrating Latin heritage, driven by fears of targeting by anti-immigration authorities since the ramping up of ICE activity.
Broader Implications for Tourism and Major Events
The concerns extend far beyond the music and arts scene, casting a shadow over major international events. Significant apprehension exists regarding the upcoming World Cup, which is set to be hosted mostly in the US, and the implications for the safety of thousands of travelling international fans.
The economic impact is already becoming starkly evident. The US is experiencing a notable collapse in tourism revenue. In May 2025, the World Travel & Tourism Council projected the nation would lose a staggering $12.5 billion (approximately £9.35 billion) in international visitor spending for the year. Later data from the US government's International Trade Administration supported this trend, showing a 5.5% drop in spending by international visitors in September 2025 compared to the same month the previous year.
These fears have been compounded by proposals from the US Department of Homeland Security and border officials to scrutinise five years of social media history from potential visitors before granting entry—a move seen by many as intrusive and discouraging.
Queen's Historic American Legacy
The decision marks a poignant moment for Queen, a band with an extraordinarily rich history in the United States. After breaking into the American mainstream with their third album, Sheer Heart Attack, the band enjoyed a remarkable run of five consecutive US Top 10 albums.
They reached the pinnacle with their 1980 album The Game, which soared to number one on the US charts. That album spawned two US number-one singles: the iconic Another One Bites the Dust and Crazy Little Thing Called Love—the latter a clear and fond homage to Elvis Presley and the very heart of American rock 'n' roll.
Queen are currently on a hiatus from touring, following the conclusion of their extensive Rhapsody tour, which ran from 2019 to 2024 and featured Adam Lambert as frontman. May's recent statements suggest that when the band does consider touring again, the American leg of any world tour will be conspicuously absent from the itinerary.
