Queen Guitarist Brian May Rules Out US Tour Amid Growing Concerns Over Safety and Polarization
In an exclusive statement to The Daily Mail, 78-year-old Queen guitarist Brian May has confirmed that the iconic band will not be touring in the United States for the foreseeable future due to the "current state of America" being deemed too perilous.
May's remarks echo those made by other prominent figures in the arts industry, including Hungarian classical pianist András Schiff and Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny, who have cancelled US tours or hinted at similar concerns over recent months.
Specifically, May expressed his distaste for what he perceives as a darker era in America, citing "the recent and unprecedented political changes" and a heightened sense of paranoia among foreign visitors. It is understood that the musician's words are tinged with nostalgia, acknowledging Queen's deep roots in American rock 'n' roll.
This move comes at a time when concerns over ICE raids, mass shootings, and xenophobic incidents have led to an increasingly nervous atmosphere for international tourists. According to figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council, the US experienced a significant decline in tourism revenue in May 2025, with a loss of $12.5 billion (£9.35 billion) projected across the year.
A more drastic measure is also on the cards, as the Department for Homeland Security proposes the examination of five years' worth of social media activity by potential visitors to the US prior to entry. With this looming threat, many fear being unfairly scrutinized and facing deportation due to perceived biases or affiliations.
As one of Queen's most enduring legacies, their historical ties with America will undoubtedly be felt for years to come. Despite ongoing turmoil in the country, May remains steadfast in his views that it is not a place they can safely perform at this time.
In an exclusive statement to The Daily Mail, 78-year-old Queen guitarist Brian May has confirmed that the iconic band will not be touring in the United States for the foreseeable future due to the "current state of America" being deemed too perilous.
May's remarks echo those made by other prominent figures in the arts industry, including Hungarian classical pianist András Schiff and Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny, who have cancelled US tours or hinted at similar concerns over recent months.
Specifically, May expressed his distaste for what he perceives as a darker era in America, citing "the recent and unprecedented political changes" and a heightened sense of paranoia among foreign visitors. It is understood that the musician's words are tinged with nostalgia, acknowledging Queen's deep roots in American rock 'n' roll.
This move comes at a time when concerns over ICE raids, mass shootings, and xenophobic incidents have led to an increasingly nervous atmosphere for international tourists. According to figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council, the US experienced a significant decline in tourism revenue in May 2025, with a loss of $12.5 billion (£9.35 billion) projected across the year.
A more drastic measure is also on the cards, as the Department for Homeland Security proposes the examination of five years' worth of social media activity by potential visitors to the US prior to entry. With this looming threat, many fear being unfairly scrutinized and facing deportation due to perceived biases or affiliations.
As one of Queen's most enduring legacies, their historical ties with America will undoubtedly be felt for years to come. Despite ongoing turmoil in the country, May remains steadfast in his views that it is not a place they can safely perform at this time.
... america's been going through some wild times and its no wonder brian may and others are thinkin twice about tourin there 
the thought of gettin a 5 yr social media rundown before enterin the country is just crazy 
whats next, gonna check ur browser history too? 
seriously though, i feel bad for the fans in the US who are gonna miss queen's legendary shows 
and it's crazy how the music industry is starting to prioritize safety over all that sweet, sweet cash 
. as a brit, i gotta say, we've got our own issues with racism & inequality but at least we're not debating whether your grandma was a "good person" based on their social media activity 
#QueenTour
. But at the same time, you can't blame him for wanting to prioritize his band members' safety 
. The state of affairs in America right now is definitely concerning 
. It's not just about politics or polarization, it's also about feeling welcome and included as a foreign visitor 
.
. But I wish there was a way for them to do that without having to worry about their own safety 
. Maybe this is the wake-up call America needs, though? 
Either way, it's definitely going to be an interesting few years ahead 
.
... still, I think Queen could've made a real difference if they were willing to take some risks 
. What do you guys think? Should Queen just stick to their UK tour plans or try to find a way to make the US show go despite all the controversy?
i feel for queen fans everywhere who were really looking forward to seeing them live i mean i get whats going on in america and all but to cancel the tour completely feels like such a shame 
but sometimes you gotta acknowledge the harsh reality of a situation. brian may's decision to cancel their us tour is not just about personal safety, its also about the message they want to send to america - that art and music can be a powerful tool for unity and peace 
. Those ICE raids and mass shootings are straight up terrifying 
But at least they're putting their safety first, and that's what matters. The US is definitely not the same place it was back when Queen was at the height of their powers 
Those were wild times, but I guess we can't turn back the clock. All we can do is hope that things get better soon 
... i mean, i get what brian may is saying, but some people might think its just an excuse to stay away from the drama 
at least now we know what's really going on behind the scenes... or should i say, behind the stage 
. It's all about finding ways to work around the problems and show love and unity through music. Canceling an entire tour just because of politics seems like a cop-out to me... 
anyway i guess queens legacy will live on in american rock history and all that, but still its a bummer for us fans who wanna see them perform live 
? I mean, Queen's been around for ages, they've seen some stuff 
. Maybe it's a sign of something bigger? We don't know what's going on in America right now, but we do know that tourists are getting nervous 
I feel bad for Brian May and Queen, but also kinda get why they'd wanna avoid the US right now... 
I mean, can't imagine being a foreigner and feeling all anxious and paranoid just 'cause you're from somewhere else. 
? Brian May thinks he's some kinda expert on America now just 'cause Queen has been around for decades? Newsflash, dude: everyone's gonna have differing views on the state of the country, even if it is a wild ride. And what's with all this hand-wringing about safety and polarization? It sounds like he's not exactly thrilled to be touring in the first place... or is he just looking for an excuse not to play to the masses anymore?