Neil Young has made the decision to cancel his highly anticipated performance at Glastonbury 2025, citing a shift in the festival’s dynamic. The legendary 79-year-old musician revealed in a heartfelt letter posted on his official site, Neil Young Archives, that his decision was sparked by the involvement of the BBC and what he described as “corporate control” over the event.
In a message to his fans, Young shared his disappointment over the festival’s changing direction. “The Chrome Hearts and I were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my all-time favorite outdoor gigs,” Young began. However, after learning that the BBC had become a partner with the festival, Young expressed concerns about the network’s influence over the event. “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.”
Despite the setback, Young emphasized his gratitude for his past performances at the iconic festival. “Thanks for coming to see us the last time!” he wrote, before firmly announcing, “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.”
Neil Young has long been an artist who champions authenticity and independence. His comments on Glastonbury reflect his broader stance against corporate influence in the music industry. While Young did not elaborate on what specifically about the BBC’s involvement led to his decision, it’s clear that the broadcaster’s increasing role at the festival did not align with his values. As Rolling Stone points out, the BBC has been broadcasting Glastonbury for years, with its first-ever global broadcast taking place in 2024.
The news of Young’s withdrawal comes as a surprise to many, as the Canadian singer-songwriter has been an avid supporter of the festival in the past. Known for his deep connection to fans and his distinctive sound that blends folk, rock, and country influences, Glastonbury had long been one of Young’s favorite performances. However, the festival’s new partnership with the BBC, which many feel marks a step into the corporate world of mass media, seems to have conflicted with Young’s rebellious spirit.
The festival’s organizers have yet to issue a public response to his withdrawal, though it’s likely that Young’s comments will spark further discussion about the growing commercial forces influencing one of the world’s most revered music festivals.
While Neil Young’s exit from Glastonbury has cast a shadow over next year’s festival, there’s another legendary musician making headlines for his return. Rod Stewart, 79, will perform at Glastonbury for the first time in over two decades, taking to the stage in June 2025. In his announcement on X (formerly Twitter), Stewart shared his excitement for the performance, saying he was “proud and ready and more than able to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury.”
Stewart’s return to Glastonbury comes at a time when he is stepping back from large-scale world tours. His performance at the famed festival will make him one of the oldest artists ever to grace its stage, a feat also achieved by Paul McCartney, who was 80 when he performed at Glastonbury in 2022. Stewart is in good company, as the late Burt Bacharach holds the record as the oldest person to perform at the festival, doing so at age 87 in 2015.
Though Stewart’s Glastonbury performance seems to have a more optimistic tone, it’s worth noting that his decision to step back from extensive touring echoes a larger trend among older musicians, such as Young, who are becoming increasingly selective about where and how they perform.
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