Singer-songwriter Neil Young announced Tuesday that he will not perform at 2025’s Glastonbury Festival in England, citing the BBC’s “corporate control” over the festival.
The 79-year-old released a letter on his website revealing he pulled out of the British music festival because of its partnership with the BBC. He did not specify what aspect of the broadcaster’s involvement led him to withdraw from the event.
“The Chrome Hearts and I were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my all time favorite 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.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 06: 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. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
“It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being,” the rock legend wrote, then adding a note to fans saying, “Thanks for coming to see us the last time!”
Young said he wouldn’t perform at Glastonbury Festival “because it is a corporate turn-off, and not for me like it used to be.” He assured fans he would not change his mind on the canceled appearance.
“Hope to see you at one of the other venues on the tour,” he wrote.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 12: Neil Young performs on stage at Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time at Hyde Park on July 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Redferns) Getty Images
Though the festival hadn’t officially announced Young as part of its 2025 lineup, he has been known to perform at Glastonbury in the past.
The BBC has been an official partner with Glastonbury since 1997, when it took over broadcasting the festival from Channel 4, according to CBC.
Tickets to the 2025 festival reportedly sold out after 32 minutes. The Glastonbury Festival is scheduled to take place June 25 to 29. (RELATED: Neil Young Cancels Tour After Band Members Fall Ill)
The festival has been largely quiet about its 2025 lineup aside from the confirmation that Rod Stewart will perform at the event, CBC reported.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
