Neil Young Withdraws from Glastonbury 2025, Criticizing Festival’s ‘Corporate Control’ by BBC
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Music legend Neil Young has announced he will no longer perform at Glastonbury 2025, citing concerns over the festival’s partnership with the BBC and claiming it is now “under corporate control.”
In a candid letter posted on his Neil Young Archives website, the 79-year-old musician explained why he and his band, The Chrome Hearts, have decided to pull out of the iconic festival, which takes place annually at Worthy Farm in Somerset.
“The Chrome Hearts and I were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my all-time favourite outdoor gigs,” Young wrote. “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.”
The BBC’s Role at Glastonbury
The BBC has been a partner of Glastonbury since 1997, providing extensive coverage of the festival across TV, radio, and online platforms. However, Young’s dissatisfaction highlights a longstanding tension between artistic freedom and broadcasting requirements.
A spokesperson for the BBC declined to comment on Young’s statement. Meanwhile, representatives for Glastonbury have not yet responded to the claims.
Neil Young’s History with Glastonbury
Young last performed at Glastonbury in 2009, headlining the Pyramid Stage with a two-hour set that featured tracks like Rockin’ in the Free World and Heart of Gold. However, only portions of his performance were broadcast by the BBC at the time, sparking backlash from fans.
In response, the BBC stated that Young’s team had only approved the broadcast of five songs, citing a desire to preserve the “mystery” of the live experience.
Young was also slated to perform at Glastonbury in 1997 but withdrew after injuring himself while making a ham sandwich, humorously reflecting:
“I’d have eaten the thing in one piece if I’d known that cutting it in half would jeopardize the tour. It’s macaroni and cheese from now on.”
What’s Next for Glastonbury 2025?
While Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts are no longer part of the lineup, Glastonbury 2025 still boasts a roster of anticipated acts, with rumours swirling about performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Rihanna, Eminem, Sam Fender, and Ed Sheeran.
So far, Rod Stewart is the only officially confirmed headliner, marking his return to the festival 23 years after his last appearance. Nile Rodgers accidentally let slip that he will perform with Chic, during an acceptance speech at the Rolling Stone Awards in November.
The festival will run from June 27 to June 29, 2025, and tickets have already sold out in just 32 minutes.
Glastonbury’s Future and Legacy
Despite the controversy, Glastonbury continues to thrive. Recent accounts revealed that the festival nearly doubled its profits in the year leading up to March 2024, donating £5.2 million to charities and investing £3.7 million in land acquisitions—possibly signalling future expansion beyond its current capacity of 210,000 attendees.
Founder Michael Eavis, 89, has officially handed over control of the festival to his daughter Emily, who has already been managing day-to-day operations. Speaking to the Financial Times, a spokesperson for the festival said:
“Having entered his 90th year, Michael Eavis is proceeding with his long-held plan to pass control of the festival over to his daughter, Emily.”
As Glastonbury prepares for a likely fallow year in 2026, Emily Eavis emphasized the importance of these breaks, telling the BBC:
“Fallow years are important because they give the land a rest, and it gives the cows a chance to be out for longer and reclaim their land. And it gives everyone time to switch off. I think it’s quite good not to be seen to be cashing in.”
A Festival at a Crossroads
Neil Young’s departure shines a spotlight on the balancing act Glastonbury faces as it evolves. With a history rooted in counterculture and independence, the festival’s relationship with major broadcasters like the BBC remains a point of contention.
Despite the hiccup, Glastonbury 2025 is set to be another iconic event, blending star-studded performances with its enduring ethos of community and creativity.
🎶 Stay tuned—there’s still plenty more to come! 🎤
