Under Pressure: Why Brian May is Thinking Twice About Rocking America

Sunday, 1 February 2026 00:00

As violence concerns escalate, the legendary Queen guitarist warns that the "Land of the Free" may have become too high-risk for the band’s iconic stadium tours.

The neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip and the historic arches of Madison Square Garden have long served as second homes for British rock royalty. For over half a century, Queen has treated the United States as their ultimate playground, a place where "Fat Bottomed Girls" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" became the sonic wallpaper of the American dream.

But according to Sir Brian May, the "Land of the Free" is becoming too high a price to pay for a stadium tour.

In a candid revelation that has sent tremors through the touring industry, the legendary guitarist suggested that the current climate of violence in America has reached a tipping point. For a band that spent decades "Conquering the World," the prospect of returning to U.S. soil now comes with a heavy dose of "Under Pressure."

"The United States is a very different place than it was when we first arrived in a station wagon in 1974," May noted recently. The guitarist, who has never been shy about his activism, hinted that the sheer frequency of mass shootings in public spaces has made the logistics and the moral weight of American touring nearly unbearable. It is a sentiment that reflects a growing "Radio Ga Ga" of anxiety among international performers who once saw America as the safest bet in the business.

The shift is a heartbreaking one for a band whose DNA is so inextricably linked to the American spirit. It was in the heartland of the U.S. that Queen found their footing, evolving from "Stone Cold Crazy" glam rockers into the "Champions" of the world. From the moment Freddie Mercury first strutted across a stage in New Jersey, the band and the American public shared a "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" that defied musical trends.

However, the "Killer Queen" of modern reality is the security manifest. Industry insiders suggest that the cost of securing a venue against domestic threats in the U.S. has skyrocketed, often requiring specialized private security teams, drone surveillance, and coordination with federal agencies. For May, the issue isn't just the cost—it’s the culture.

"You want to give people a 'Kind of Magic' when they walk into a stadium," says veteran tour promoter Marcus Thorne. "But when you have to walk through three rings of steel and see armed guards at every portal, the magic starts to feel like a fortress. It changes the vibrations of a rock show."

This isn't the first time the U.S. has felt like a "Seven Seas of Rhye" for visiting artists. Following the 2017 Route 91 Harvest festival shooting in Las Vegas, the touring industry underwent a radical transformation. But while many American artists have accepted this as the new status quo, international icons like May are beginning to ask if "The Show Must Go On" in a place where the risks feel so localized and preventable.

Fans, of course, are desperate for one more "Flash" of brilliance. With Adam Lambert at the helm, Queen’s recent "Rhapsody" tour proved that the hunger for their music remains unsatiated. But if May’s concerns are a bellwether for the industry, the U.S. could see a "Hammer to Fall" on major international residencies.

For now, the legendary Red Special guitar remains in its case regarding U.S. dates. As May weighs the future, he seems to be searching for a "Somebody to Love" in a political landscape that feels increasingly hostile to the communal, carefree spirit of a rock concert.

The message is clear: Queen still wants to rock you, but they aren't willing to gamble with the lives of the fans—or their own peace of mind—to do it.

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