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Neil Young to Headline Glastonbury After Initial Withdrawal

In a surprising turn of events, Neil Young has announced that he will be headlining the Glastonbury festival in June, reversing his earlier decision to withdraw from the event. Initially, Young had expressed his concerns about the festival becoming too commercialized, stating that Glastonbury felt like a “corporate turn-off.”

Young clarified his change of heart in a letter to his fans, attributing his previous withdrawal to “an error in the information received.” He stated, “The festival is back on our itinerary and we look forward to playing! Hope to see you there!” This announcement has delighted fans who have long anticipated his return to the iconic stage.

Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis welcomed the news in a post on the festival’s official Instagram account, expressing her excitement about Young’s participation. She mentioned, “What a start to the year! Neil Young is an artist who’s very close to our hearts at Glastonbury. He does things his own way and that’s why we love him. We can’t wait to welcome him back here to headline the Pyramid in June.”

Young last graced the Glastonbury stage on June 26, 2009, but his set was only partially aired by the BBC. At that time, the broadcaster had limited rights for airing his full performance, a decision that was a point of contention. “The BBC has spent the last couple of months talking to Neil’s management about how much of his set we might be able to show on TV, radio, and online,” they explained. This reflection of Young’s management wanting to retain the live event’s mystery showcases their commitment to the artist’s creative integrity.

In recent years, the BBC has moved towards streaming complete sets from Glastonbury, allowing for a global audience. Young’s earlier concerns about the festival concerned the BBC’s evolving partnership with Glastonbury. He noted that he felt the festival had moved under corporate control, which contributed to his earlier stance on not performing.

While Young has not detailed which particular aspects of the BBC’s collaboration displeased him, his return signifies a new chapter not only for him but also for the festival. This performance will kick off a planned summer European tour with his new band, the Chrome Hearts, which features a lineup including Micah Nelson and Spooner Oldham. Their recent studio work at Shangri-La studio in Malibu indicates a promising new phase for Young, who is known for his dedication to authenticity in music.

As anticipation builds, fans can look forward to a weekend of music that highlights both the festival’s tradition and Young’s unique artistry.

Source
www.rollingstone.com