Legendary Queen guitarist Sir Brian May has definitively stated that the iconic rock band will never perform at the Glastonbury Festival, citing an irreconcilable political disagreement with its founder.
The Stance on Badger Culling
The 78-year-old musician and animal rights activist has reiterated his long-held position, confirming that Queen will not appear at the 2027 event or any future Glastonbury. The core of the issue lies in his vehement opposition to the badger cull, a policy supported by festival founder Michael Eavis, a dairy farmer.
Sir Brian, who founded the Save Me Trust to protect wildlife, told The Daily Mail: "I wouldn't do Glastonbury next year because of the politics of the people who run it, unless that changes, I won't do it. They like killing badgers, and they think it's for sport and that's something I cannot support."
He expressed deep frustration, noting his trust has worked for years to save badgers, which are culled to control bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle. Eavis, 90, has previously labelled May a "danger to farming" for his views on the practice.
A Matter of Principle vs. A Closed Door
When questioned on whether Queen had turned down multiple invitations to headline the world-famous Somerset festival, Sir Brian revealed that he believes the conversation has never even taken place. "I don't think the conversation of us doing it has ever taken place because they know how I feel," he shared.
Despite the firm stance, the rock icon has previously left a tiny window open. In a 2023 interview with The Guardian, he admitted it was "not impossible" that Queen could play, stating, "You can never say never, but it's a very big matter of principle to me." He emphasised his belief that the badger cull is "the greatest crime this country has ever committed against wildlife."
However, he added that he would always be willing to talk, saying, "It's not impossible that we could sit down and talk... that's the way we go forward." His latest comments, made at the Cirque du Soleil ‘OVO’ VIP premiere in London on Wednesday night, suggest that door is now firmly closed.
Queen's Future and Legacy
One of the most successful bands in history, with an estimated 300 million records sold and timeless hits like "We Will Rock You" and "Bohemian Rhapsody," Queen's absence from Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage remains a notable omission for many fans.
The band's touring future, with singer Adam Lambert, has been uncertain. Sir Brian suffered a minor stroke in 2024, which he described as "scary," but has since returned to performing. His wife, actress Anita Dobson, indicated in December that major world tours are unlikely, stating, "They will do little bits and bobs, but they won't do those big tours. We are all getting old."
The band's last major tour was the Rhapsody Tour in 2023 and 2024, following years of performances with Lambert and, before that, Paul Rodgers.
