Queen guitarist Brian May has emphatically restated that the legendary rock band will never perform at the Glastonbury Festival, citing irreconcilable political differences with its founder, Michael Eavis. The 78-year-old musician's comments come amid fresh speculation about potential headliners for the festival's return in 2027.
A Political Stance Rooted in Animal Welfare
In an interview with the Daily Mail, May, a longtime animal rights activist, left no room for ambiguity. "I wouldn't do Glastonbury next year because of the politics of the people who run it," he stated. "Unless that changes, I won't do it." The core of the dispute lies in Eavis's support for the controversial badger cull, a policy aimed at controlling bovine tuberculosis.
May, who co-founded the Save Me animal welfare organisation, claimed Eavis and associated parties view the practice as sport. "They like killing badgers, and they think it's for sport," he said, "and that's something I cannot support because we've been trying to save these badgers for years." May's commitment to the cause is profound; he resigned as vice president of the RSPCA in 2024 over welfare concerns in its farm assurance scheme.
A Long-Running Feud with Festival Founder
The animosity is mutual. Michael Eavis, the 84-year-old dairy farmer who founded Glastonbury, has previously labelled May a "danger to farming" for his opposition to the cull. This personal dimension further cements May's position. He recalled on BBC Radio 2 in 2019, "Michael Eavis has frequently insulted me and I don't really particularly enjoy that."
May confirmed that Queen, which now tours with singer Adam Lambert, would only consider performing if "things changed radically" at Worthy Farm. For now, the iconic Pyramid Stage remains untouched by the band's legacy, a direct result of this entrenched clash between music and politics.
Future Plans Amid Festival Speculation
While Glastonbury enjoys its traditional fallow year in 2026, rumours are already swirling about the 2027 lineup, with pop star Harry Styles among the names mentioned. Queen's own future touring schedule, however, remains uncertain. "We'll take it day by day," May told the Mail, describing a period of taking stock and family time after their recent 'Rhapsody' tour. He hinted at future projects, noting, "the rebuild of Queen Two is coming back, and there are a couple of things you haven't heard."
For fans hoping to see Queen finally grace the fields of Somerset, the message is clear: as long as the political divide over wildlife persists, the show will not go on at Glastonbury.
