Neil Young Withdraws from Glastonbury Music Festival Amid Festival’s ‘Corporate Turn’
Neil Young was scheduled to perform at the legendary Glastonbury Music Festival in the UK this year, however, he called-off his appearance, calling-out the festival’s “corporate turn.”
On his website, Neil Young Archives, the musician wrote that his issues stem from the festival’s ties with the BBC.
“We were told that the BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way that we were not interested in,” Young wrote. “It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being. We will not be playing Glastonbury on this tour because it is a corporate turn – off, and not for me like it used to be.”
He ended the post by telling fans he hopes “to see you at one of the other venues on the tour.” Young is set to head out on a tour this year with his new band, The Chrome Hearts.
Glastonbury’s partnership with the BBC isn’t new; in fact, the broadcaster has aired portions off the music festival for years, including Young’s performance in 2009.
The broadcaster, nor the festival has commented on Young’s decision to pull-out of the event at this time.
Aside from Rod Stewart — who will be taking on the “Legends” slot — the festival has not officially announced its 2025 lineup. This year’s event is set to take place from June 25 to 29. Following mixed opinions of the festival’s new ticket queuing system, the first round of ticket sales for the 2025 festival sold out in just half an hour.
