Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, plus singer Adam Lambert, spoke today of the “heartbreak” at having to once again postpone the highly anticipated UK and European dates of their Rhapsody World Tour.

Following a sensational run across Asia and Oceania last winter, Queen + Adam Lambert were originally set to rock the UK and Europe in summer 2020. During the band’s spring break, however, the coronavirus outbreak left them no choice but to prioritise the safety of fans, crew and venue staff by postponing the dates until 2021.

Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic still far from resolved, the band are forced for a second time to reschedule the tour dates, moving them to 2022. “Under continuing Europe-wide Covid restrictions there’s no possible way the tour can go ahead as planned for this year,” Queen + Adam Lambert said today. “The prospect of again not being able to look forward to performing and getting to experience those wonderful audiences is just heartbreaking.”

To ease their loyal fans’ disappointment, Brian, Roger and Adam have announced a new and expanded set of 2022 dates for the UK and Europe Rhapsody shows, when they hope it will finally be safe to perform for large audiences.

Promoters for the Rhapsody Tour confirmed today that all previously purchased tickets continue to be valid for the corresponding rescheduled shows. Ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase for information on ticket exchanges for the new dates. New dates can be found at QueenOnline.com. “We wish to make it clear. None of the shows from 2020 and 2021 have been cancelled, just re-arranged due to COVID-19. We really do hope that as many people as possible who were booked for those original dates in 2020 will still be able to join us for the shows.”

On getting back to performing live again Roger Taylor says: "When we do eventually get to play in front of live audiences it will be with a ferociously renewed attack and we shall revel in the wonderful experience of actually interacting with them again."

Frontman Adam Lambert said: “It’s so disappointing to have to postpone again, but safety comes first, and we look forward to spring 2022 when we will be back, better than ever.”

The postponement of this year’s tour dates is especially disappointing for the band, who were looking forward to playing the shows as part of a significant landmark for Queen. With 50 years now having passed since the 1971 recruiting of John Deacon, completing Queen’s classic line-up, 2021 marks a Queen Golden Jubilee that the band was hoping to celebrate with fans.

Nevertheless, The Show Must Go On – and it will in 2022 when Queen + Adam Lambert return to touring and embark on their next chapter together.