Queen Could Follow ABBA Voyage’s Lead, Roger Taylor Suggests

Roger Taylor has raised hopes about Queen’s next chapter after sharing that he and guitarist Sir Brian May are exploring ideas for future performances. Among the options under discussion is advanced avatar technology that could bring a digital version of late singer Freddie Mercury onto the stage as part of an immersive show.

During an appearance on Virgin Radio’s Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Roger explained that he and Brian “talk because we live near each other”. He also mentioned “a possibility of doing something”, pointing to the recent progress in technology used for live entertainment.

When Chris described the prospect as “going on tour with Freddie”, Roger was quick to emphasise that nobody could replace the frontman. Still, he accepted that performances using avatars were “sort of” along those lines.

His comments suggest he is becoming more open to the concept. Reflecting previously on ABBA Voyage, the Swedish group’s hologram production, Roger said he “had a good time” and “enjoyed” the experience but felt the projections fell short. He now thinks the technology has moved well beyond what was available when the show launched in 2022.

Reflecting on the visuals, he said: “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.”

For Brian, the prospect of a Queen hologram production is something he is “very taken” with. Bringing Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Roger Taylor and himself together again digitally “really appeals” to the guitarist, with spaces such as Las Vegas’ Sphere offering more room to explore what such a performance might look like.

In a conversation with The Big Issue, Brian pointed out that Freddie already features during Love of My Life at Queen concerts. He feels they could “take that a lot further” by developing a contemporary Queen experience instead of relying solely on old footage. Revisiting Queen I and Queen II for their reissues has also renewed his curiosity about introducing the band’s legacy to coming generations.

However, Brian has previously expressed reservations about launching a hologram show while Queen’s remaining performers are still taking the stage. Once the band is “gone”, he would be willing to consider a complete digital production.