Queen drummer Roger Taylor has revealed that he and Sir Brian May are discussing new live possibilities for the band, including an ABBA Voyage-inspired show using advanced avatar technology that could bring Freddie Mercury back to the stage digitally.
Speaking on Virgin Radio’s Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Taylor confirmed that he and May have been talking about the future of Queen’s live performances, with technology now offering possibilities that were not available when ABBA launched its Voyage production in London in 2022.
Taylor explained that he and May remain in regular contact because they live close to each other, and suggested there is now a genuine possibility of creating something new for Queen fans.
When presenter Chris Evans suggested the concept could effectively mean “going on tour with Freddie”, Taylor was careful to stress that Mercury could never be replaced. However, he acknowledged that avatar technology could potentially offer a way of presenting the band’s original frontman in a new type of live production.
Roger Taylor has changed his view on avatar technology
Taylor’s latest comments represent a change in tone from his earlier reaction to ABBA Voyage, the immersive London production featuring digital versions of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
The Queen drummer previously admitted that he enjoyed the ABBA show but was not entirely convinced by the visual technology used when it first opened.
He now believes the technology has developed considerably since then.
“I didn’t find the actual projections that convincing.
“I do think technology now has come so much further since the ABBA show started, I think a lot more can be done.”
That technological progress could make a Queen production considerably different from simply showing archival footage of Mercury performing.
Taylor’s comments suggest the surviving members are at least exploring what could be possible, although no Queen avatar show has been formally announced.
Brian May is “very taken” with a Queen hologram show
Taylor’s bandmate Brian May has been considerably more enthusiastic about the possibility of creating a digital Queen experience.
May has previously discussed the idea of recreating the original Queen lineup digitally, featuring Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Roger Taylor and Brian May.
The guitarist told The Big Issue that the concept “really appeals” to him and pointed to the emergence of venues such as Las Vegas’ Sphere as an indication of what could eventually be possible for major artists.
Queen already uses Mercury’s image and performance footage during live shows, particularly for “Love of My Life”. May believes that concept could potentially be expanded into something much more ambitious.
He has suggested that the band could “take that a lot further”, creating a new version of Queen for modern audiences rather than simply replaying historical performances.
The band’s ongoing work on reissues of Queen I and Queen II has also renewed May’s interest in how Queen’s history and music could be presented to future generations.
Brian May has previously ruled out a hologram while Queen are still active
Despite his enthusiasm for the technology, May has previously indicated that he would not want to create a full hologram version of Queen while the surviving members are still able to perform.
His position has been that a digital Queen production could make more sense once the surviving members are no longer performing themselves.
That distinction is important given Taylor’s latest comments. While the pair appear to be discussing the possibilities, there is currently no confirmed Queen hologram or avatar residency.
Any future production would also need to address the unique challenge of representing Mercury, whose stage presence and vocals remain central to Queen’s identity.
The technology could potentially allow fans to experience the original lineup in an entirely new format, but Taylor’s comments make clear that the surviving members are conscious that Freddie cannot simply be replaced.
Could Queen follow ABBA into the future of live music?
ABBA Voyage has demonstrated the commercial and creative potential of combining recorded performances, digital avatars and immersive concert technology.
For Queen, the concept could offer a way to revisit the band’s original lineup without replacing the live performances of May and Taylor.
The idea is particularly significant because Queen’s catalogue remains closely tied to Mercury’s performances, while May and Taylor have continued touring with vocalist Adam Lambert as Queen + Adam Lambert.
A future digital production could therefore exist alongside the band’s conventional live shows rather than replacing them.
For now, Taylor’s comments indicate that discussions are taking place and that advances in technology have made the concept more attractive.
Fans will have to wait for any official announcement to discover whether Queen ultimately follows ABBA into the world of avatar-led live performances.
