Brian May: Queen Avoids US Tours Amid Rising Safety Concerns
Brian May, the iconic guitarist of Queen, has announced that the band will not tour the United States for the foreseeable future. This decision stems from growing concerns over safety in the country.
Rising Safety Concerns Prompt Tour Cancellation
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, May, 78, expressed his sadness regarding this situation. He stated, “America is a dangerous place at the moment, so you have to take that into account.” He reminisced about Queen’s deep connection with the U.S., noting that their formative years were spent there, but emphasized that the atmosphere has changed drastically.
Context of Safety Issues
While May did not detail specific threats, his comments resonate within a broader context of rising violence in the U.S. Concerns over safety have been heightened due to various factors, including fears of violence from U.S. immigration agents and the ongoing threat of mass shootings. In 2025 alone, there were reported 425 mass shooting incidents, resulting in 420 fatalities and injuring nearly 1,900 individuals.
- 425 mass shooting incidents in 2025
- 420 deaths reported
- 1,898 injuries resulting from shootings
Other artists have echoed similar sentiments, with British dance music singer Piri cancelling a U.S. tour citing current U.S. events as a concern. Hungarian pianist András Schiff also withdrew from U.S. performances, attributing his decision to “recent and unprecedented political changes.”
Impact on Latinos and Cultural Events
Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny highlighted his apprehensions when he opted out of U.S. concerts. He acknowledged fear regarding Latino fans and potential deportation threats amidst heightened immigration enforcement.
The cultural landscape has also felt the impact, as numerous events celebrating Latin heritage have been cancelled since increased ICE activity began during Donald Trump’s presidency. This trend raises alarm for upcoming international events, particularly the World Cup scheduled to be hosted in the U.S., affecting thousands of foreign fans.
Economic Fallout from Safety Concerns
The implications extend to economics as well. In May 2025, the World Travel & Tourism Council estimated the U.S. would incur a loss of $12.5 billion in international visitor spending. Additionally, reports from the International Trade Administration indicated a 5.5% drop in international visitor spending in September 2025 compared to the previous year.
Adding to these worries is a proposal from the U.S. Department for Homeland Security, which seeks to review five years of social media activity from potential visitors prior to entry. Such measures contribute to a growing unease among artists and fans alike.
Queen’s Historical Connection with the U.S.
Currently, Queen is on a break following their Rhapsody tour that ran from 2019 to 2024, featuring Adam Lambert as the frontman. The band’s relationship with American audiences has been rich, gaining prominence with their third album, “Sheer Heart Attack.” They notched up five consecutive U.S. Top 10 albums, including their landmark 1980 release, “The Game.” This album produced two U.S. No. 1 hits, “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
As safety concerns continue to loom, the future of major tours in the U.S. remains uncertain, affecting both artists and fans deeply.
