Neil Young Declines Glastonbury 2025 Due to Corporate Influence
Neil Young, the legendary artist known for his uncompromising principles, has announced he will not be performing at Glastonbury Festival 2025. In a heartfelt blog post, Young expressed his disappointment, citing the festival’s increased corporate partnerships as the primary reason behind his decision.
Neil Young’s Website Statement
Young shared his thoughts candidly, explaining how the festival’s evolving structure clashed with his values:
“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.”
He further added, “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.”
This strong statement highlights Young’s unwavering stance against corporate influence in music.
A Love for Glastonbury’s Past
Neil Young has previously performed at Glastonbury, including a celebrated 2009 set on the Pyramid Stage. He described the festival as one of his “all-time favorite outdoor gigs.” However, the shift in its management and partnerships has led him to part ways with the festival for his upcoming tour.
Corporate Partnerships at Glastonbury
Young specifically called out the BBC’s role in the festival’s operations, suggesting that the broadcaster’s involvement imposed conditions he and his band, The Chrome Hearts, could not accept. Over the years, Glastonbury has increasingly relied on corporate partnerships to support its massive scale, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from artists and fans alike.
Neil Young’s Tour Continues
While Young won’t appear at Glastonbury, he reassured fans that they can still catch him at other venues during his 2025 tour. His decision to skip the festival underscores his dedication to creating an authentic experience for his audience, free from excessive commercial influence.
