Since Queen + Adam Lambert concluded their Rhapsody world tour at Tokyo’s Dome on February 14, 2024, the band has remained off the road. In a recent interview with The Times, legendary guitarist Brian May confirmed that the group will not be embarking on further tours.
“I made a decision 18 months ago that I didn’t want to tour again,” May explained. He noted that a personal loss while touring in the United States prompted him to realize the impossibility of balancing life on the road with family commitments. “I love to play, I love to travel, but the trade-off is sacrificing your freedom. I have a wife, grandchildren, and a significant interest in astrophysics that I want to pursue, so I’m thinking perhaps 50 years is enough.”
![Hammer To Fall [4K] - Queen + Adam Lambert (Tokyo Dome, Feb 13, 2024)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==)
While traditional touring may be over, the band is not ruling out innovative ways to share Queen’s legacy through large-scale productions. Drummer Roger Taylor expressed interest in creating a “revolutionary” experience, citing inspiration from his visit to the Sphere. “I think an immersive experience is still on the cards and it could conquer time and space,” Taylor noted, though he expressed ethical concerns regarding the heavy reliance on AI and the environmental impact of data centers in modern production.
This sentiment echoes comments May made to Rolling Stone in September 2025, when he first expressed exhaustion with the touring lifestyle. At the time, he was hesitant to rule out future shows entirely, but he has since solidified his stance. “I’ve had 50 years of touring and a part of me feels it is enough,” May said. “I don’t like the feeling of being trapped in a hotel room. I’ve missed too many family moments because of the road. While I don’t want to tour in the traditional sense, I still want to play shows and continue to innovate.”
Earlier this year, May also voiced reservations about performing in the United States, telling the Daily Mail that he felt the social climate in America had changed significantly, making him and others more cautious about traveling there for shows.
Despite the end of touring, the members of Queen + Adam Lambert remain active. Roger Taylor recently released his solo album, Violence Insane in a Beautiful World, and Adam Lambert released his project Adam in July, following a recent tribute performance of George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Fans can also look forward to several archival projects, including the upcoming concert film Queen Budapest, which captures the band’s historic July 27, 1986, performance—the first major rock concert held behind the Iron Curtain.
While May’s decision currently seems final, rock history is full of legends who have returned to the stage after claiming retirement, leaving the door slightly ajar for the future.
