Brian May has an idea for what Queen could do at the Sphere, but don't expect the band to take over the Las Vegas venue anytime soon.
The prospect of a Queen residency at the cutting-edge entertainment complex has been circulating for more than a year. May and drummer Roger Taylor have both made comments that have kept speculation alive, and the band's music and visual legacy would seem ideally suited to the venue's immersive, 360-degree presentation. But May says there is little movement toward making it happen.
Speaking with Rolling Stone, the guitarist was asked about the possibility of Queen playing the Sphere. His response suggested the idea remains more of a concept than a developing plan.
“I don’t know what to tell you about that,” May said. “I don’t even know where we are on that. I really don’t. Things change so fast.”
He remains intrigued by the creative possibilities, however, and has already imagined how Queen might approach the format. With popular songs that include “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “We Are the Champions,” Queen’s catalog is ripe for an immersive experience.
However, May insists the band wouldn't simply replicate ABBA's successful virtual concert experience.
“I’m still very much caught up with the idea of this 360-degree surround environment for music, and particularly for us in some kind of retrospective,” May continued. “It wouldn’t be like the ABBA thing. Everybody says, ‘Oh, you’re gonna do what ABBA did.’ But no, it would be something different from that, because we have a different history and a different path or whatever. And I still have a template in my head of what we could do, but I don’t think we’re progressing very fast on it for various other reasons.”
The guitarist's comments come after he caused a stir by suggesting Queen was finished with touring. He subsequently clarified that his remarks had been misrepresented, but his latest interview makes clear that he's in no hurry to return to the road.
For now, May is relishing the chance to pursue interests that took a back seat during Queen's years of touring. That includes spending time with his family, exploring astrophysics and expanding his work in animal welfare and campaigning. May has also been taking it easier since suffering a minor stroke in 2024
“I feel like I’m on a break, and I’m enjoying my break, and I’m getting to do all the things which I dreamed of doing when there was no time all those years on the road,” he explained. “So I’m getting to see my kids, I’m getting to see my grandchildren, getting to do a lot of projects on the side which I’ve dreamed of doing. I get to do more astrophysics. I get to do more animal welfare and animal campaigning work. And all round, it’s been a good decision for me so far.”
That doesn't mean May has ruled out performing live again. He can imagine a change of heart down the line, but the prospect of another marathon tour is a different matter.
“Maybe one day I’m gonna wake up and think, ‘Ah, maybe we should get out on the road,’” the rocker conceded. “But I don’t think I will be committing to nine-month-long tours again.”
