Rock legend Neil Young has announced that he is no longer scheduled for Glastonbury 2025, due to disillusionment with the U.K. music festival's increasing corporate influence.
- January 2, 2025
AceShowbiz - Neil Young, the iconic Canadian rocker, delivered disappointing news to his fans by announcing on his official website that he will not be performing at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival. The festival, held annually at Worthy Farm in Somerset, England, has lost its charm for Young due to its newfound corporate affiliations, primarily with the BBC.
In his letter addressed to fans, Young stated, "The Chrome Hearts and I were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my all time favorite outdoor gigs. We were told that BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in. It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being."
Young's dissatisfaction with the festival's corporate direction was clear, "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. Hope to see you at one of the other venues on the tour."
While he did not elaborate on the specific demands made by the BBC, it was enough to cause the legendary artist to step away from the event.
This announcement came after previous rumors and speculations that Young would be performing, fueled in part by his confirmed European tour which prominently features outdoor venues. The band Chrome Hearts, which includes members Micah Nelson, Spooner Oldham, Corey McCormick, and Anthony LoGergo, was also scheduled to accompany Young in his performances.
Glastonbury, which sold out tickets in record time through a new digital queuing system, has yet to fully disclose its lineup for 2025. So far, only Rod Stewart has been confirmed, set to play the coveted Legends Slot. Nile Rodgers also hinted at an appearance with Chic.
Glastonbury's 2025 programming decision, particularly its partnership with the BBC, has clearly stirred controversy among artists like Neil Young. Young's last performance at Glastonbury in 2009 left memorable moments, including renditions of "The Needle and the Damage Done" and The Beatles cover "A Day in the Life." Fans hoping to see him return will now have to catch him elsewhere on his tour.
As the festival looks ahead to its fallow year in 2026, the impact of corporate ties on its future identity and artist roster remains a point of contention for musicians and fans alike.
