Queen asked to give 'Live Aid-style' performance to raise money for Australian bushfire victims

Brian May confirms the band are "looking at it very carefully"

Brian May
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 9th Jan 2020
Last updated 12th Mar 2020

The Australian bushfires have been ravaging the country for many months, and over the last few weeks musicians from across the world have been donating money, with Elton John recently telling his fans he's donated $1 million to the cause, and Metallica also pledging over £300,000 to Australian fire fighters.

Now, Queen's Brian May has revealed that they have been asked to perform at a Live Aid-style concert to raise money for those affected by the bushfires. Queen + Adam Lambert will be on tour in Australia soon, and the guitarist explained that the situation in the country meant they would have to look at some new factors.

Brian told PA, "We have been approached to do a benefit concert, or be part of a benefit concert, a bit like Live Aid, if you like, to try and help out the victims of the fire."

"Of course, we are going there very soon," said the 72 year old guitar legend, "We are looking at it very carefully."

The guitarist, who is a keen animal activist, went on to explain, "Of course, I am very concerned about the animals. There’s 24 people who have died, which is a tragedy in itself, but the number of animals is almost inconceivable."

Latest estimates suggest that around a billion animals have been killed in the bushfires, with Brian continuing, "You are looking at a radical change of wildlife in Australia. It’s like a mass extinction, which is something so awful. And we can do nothing about it really. We could have done something about it in the past. We know there are various things that could have been done. But it is a real caution for the rest of the world."

May said there is no official announcement about a benefit show yet as "we don't know what the situation will be" in six weeks, but that the band "are looking at doing something like that".

Queen + Adam Lambert are set to tour Australia for six dates on their 'Rhapsody Tour', starting in Brisbane on 13th February. Speaking at the time of the tour announcement, Roger Taylor said, "We are ready for Australia and raring to get back with our new show."

With Adam Lambert continuing, "We have a brand-new visual spectacle that will reframe these iconic songs and we are excited to reveal the show to Australian fans!"

Hear loads of Queen every day on Absolute Classic Rock

Earlier this week it was announced that Queen were one of the biggest selling vinyl artists of 2019, with their Greatest Hits collection coming in at number 4, no doubt due to the huge success of their biopic film 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

Queen + Adam Lambert will be coming to the UK in June, and tickets are now available to buy.

JUNE 2020

London The O2 – Tue 2nd

London The O2 – Wed 3rd

London The O2 – Fri 5th

London The O2 – Sat 6th

London The O2 – Mon 8th

London The O2 – Tue 9th

Manchester Arena – Thu 11th

Manchester Arena - Fri 12th

London The O2 – Wed 17th

London The O2 – Thu 18th

London The O2 – Sat 20th

London The O2 – Sun 21st

Tickets are on sale in the Absolute Radio Ticket Store