Neil Young Backs Out of Glastonbury Festival Due to BBC ‘Control’ … Or Did He?

Lauren Novak January 3, 9:45 am

Neil Young performs during 2017 Farm Aid on September 16, 2017 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania — Matt Kincaid/Getty Images

79-year-old Neil Young previously said he would not be performing at the Glastonbury Festival this year, despite performing there for many years and calling it one of his “all time favorite outdoor gigs.” He shared his reasons for not returning in a letter on his website, citing BBC’s “corporate control” as the main reason he and his band, the Chrome Hearts, were backing out.

He wrote, “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.”

Neil Young attend the "Paradox" Premiere 2018 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Paramount Theatre on March 15, 2018 in Austin, Texas

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW

Now, he has backtracked on his statement, saying that he misinterpreted some things and decided to join the festival lineup after all. He shared an update that said, “Due to an error in the information received, I had decided to not play the Glastonbury Festival, which I always have loved. Happily, the festival is now back on our itinerary and we look forward to playing. Hope to see you there!”

The festival, which returns in June, will feature acts such as Rod Stewart and Nile Rodgers. Other rumored artists include Olivia Rodrigo, Rihanna, Eminem, Sam Fender and Ed Sheeran but they have yet to confirm or deny the rumors.

Singer Neil Young performs onstage at the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The annual benefit raises critical funds for MusiCares' Emergency Financial Assistance and Addiction Recovery programs

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

For those who miss out on the festival this year, they may have to wait until 2027 to see some of their favorite acts as the 2026 festival might be canceled. The organizers say that they are likely to allow 2026 to be a fallow year in order to let the land rest.

Glastonbury organizer Emily Eavis explained that fallow years are “important because it gives 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. And I think it’s quite good not to be seen to be cashing in.”