Brian May pauses Queen Sphere talks

Queen guitarist Brian May told Rolling Stone on Monday that a performance at the Sphere in Las Vegas is not imminent, despite persistent speculation from fans and industry observers. May stated that he does not know the current status of the project and that circumstances change rapidly in the music industry.

The Sphere has been a frequent topic of discussion for over a year as a potential venue for the band. May confirmed that he remains interested in the 360-degree surround environment. He clarified that a Queen show would not replicate the motion-capture format used by ABBA, noting the band has a different history and path. May said he has a template in his head for the production but admitted the group is not progressing quickly for various reasons.

This clarification follows May's recent comments about the band's touring future. He initially suggested Queen was finished touring a statement he later walked back after being misquoted. In the current interview, May described his current state as a break that he is actively enjoying. He cited the freedom to pursue personal interests that were previously impossible during long touring cycles.

May listed specific activities he is currently prioritizing, including spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is also working on side projects related to astrophysics and animal welfare. He characterized this period as a good decision for his personal life so far.

While he did not rule out future touring, May said he does not expect to commit to nine-month tours again. He acknowledged the possibility of waking up one day and deciding to return to the road, but he did not attach a timeline to that scenario.

The band also recently released the 40th anniversary edition of the concert film Queen: Budapest on DVD and Blu-ray. The release coincides with the ongoing discussion about the group's future live engagements and archival content.