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

Queen + Adam Lambert will be on tour in Australia

Brian May
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 9th Jan 2020

The Australian bushfires have been ravaging the country for many months, and over the last few weeks celebrities from across the world have been donating money, with Elton John recently telling his fans he's donated $1 million to the cause.

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."

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."

Here's how you can help people and animals affected by Australia's bushfire crisis

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!"

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