Neil Young shuns Glastonbury over ‘corporate control’
3 min read
Neil Young has announced that he will not be performing at Glastonbury Festival this year, citing concerns over the festival’s increasing corporate influence. The 79-year-old rock legend expressed his disappointment in a statement on his website, stating that despite his excitement to play at one of his favorite festivals, he could no longer participate due to the festival’s partnership with the BBC.
Young, who headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2009, had been looking forward to playing with his band, the Chrome Hearts. However, after learning that the BBC had become a major partner of the festival, Young and his band opted to withdraw from the June performance at Worthy Farm. “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,” Young explained on his website. He added that Glastonbury has become “under corporate control,” a change that he felt distanced the festival from the spirit in which he had previously enjoyed performing.
The Canadian musician, known for his strong opinions on corporate influence in the music industry, emphasized that the festival’s shift towards commercialization had soured his view of the event. “It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being,” he said, highlighting his disillusionment with how the festival had evolved. Young concluded his statement by thanking his fans for their past support and expressing his regret that he would not be performing at Glastonbury in 2025. “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 wrote, suggesting that fans could see him at other venues on his tour.
The BBC, which has had an exclusive broadcasting partnership with Glastonbury since 1997, has declined to comment on Young’s statement. The broadcaster’s relationship with the festival has long been a topic of discussion, particularly in light of Young’s comments about corporate control. Glastonbury organizers and the BBC work together to broadcast performances, creating a significant media presence for the festival. Despite Young’s criticism, the BBC has remained a central part of the festival’s operations, and it is unclear whether this partnership will change in the future.
Neil Young’s performance at Glastonbury in 2009 remains one of the defining moments of the festival. That year, he shared the stage with other iconic acts like Bruce Springsteen and Blur, delivering a memorable set that ended with a stirring rendition of his hit song “Rockin’ In The Free World” and a cover of The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.” The 2009 performance had been delayed for years after Young was forced to cancel his planned set due to an injury caused while making a sandwich.
During his 2009 performance, there was controversy regarding the BBC’s limited coverage of his set. Fans voiced their dissatisfaction on the festival’s website, wondering why the BBC had not broadcast the entire performance. The BBC explained that they had spent months negotiating with Young’s management about the terms of the broadcast. It was decided that only five songs would be aired, with “Rockin’ In The Free World” being made available online. Young’s team emphasized the importance of preserving the live event’s mystique and exclusivity, which led to a more limited broadcast than fans might have expected.
Looking ahead to Glastonbury 2025, Neil Young’s absence will leave a notable gap in the festival lineup. While the festival’s organizers have yet to confirm all the headliners, Rod Stewart has already been announced for the Sunday “legends slot.” Additionally, Nile Rodgers appeared to accidentally reveal that Chic would be performing at the festival during an acceptance speech at the Rolling Stone Awards in November.
Despite Young’s decision to sit out this year, Glastonbury tickets have sold out quickly, with organizers reporting that the event sold out in just 35 minutes. Any unpaid tickets will be resold in April, allowing for more attendees to join what promises to be another memorable year at the UK’s largest music festival. Although Neil Young’s decision not to return to Glastonbury is a personal one, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing tension between commercial interests and artistic integrity in the world of live music events.
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