For fans who thought they wouldn’t be seeing Neil Young’s Glastonbury performance on TV—surprise! The iconic rocker has had a change of heart and agreed to let the BBC air his set live across the UK.
At 79, Young is still keeping fans on their toes with bold moves, and this latest decision is no exception.
From “No Way” to “OK” in Just a Few Days
Earlier this week, word was that Young had refused to let his headlining performance be broadcast.
But now, the BBC has confirmed that his set will indeed go live on Saturday night.
Viewers can catch it from 10pm on the iPlayer’s Pyramid Stage stream, BBC Two, and Radio 2.
The last-minute decision caught many by surprise, as Young had initially been left out of the BBC’s live music schedule due to unresolved negotiations.
Thankfully, those talks now seem to have reached a happy conclusion.
Why the Fuss in the First Place?
Back in January, Young shocked fans by announcing he wouldn’t be playing Glastonbury at all.
The reason? He believed the beloved festival had fallen under “corporate control,” specifically pointing fingers at the BBC’s involvement.
In a statement posted to his official website, he declared that the corporate atmosphere wasn’t what he remembered and it was a “turn-off” for him and his band, The Chrome Hearts.
But in a later update, he acknowledged a mix-up in the information he’d received and confirmed he was, in fact, heading to Worthy Farm after all.
Taking a Stand, Then Stepping Back In
In a letter to fans, Young explained that his main concern was creative control.
He wasn’t thrilled with the BBC’s expectations, and it looked like he’d rather skip the gig than compromise. “We were told the BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way that we were not interested in,” he wrote.
He and his band, which now includes Micah Nelson, Spooner Oldham, Corey McCormick, and Anthony LoGerfo, initially bowed out of the show.
But after clearing up what he calls a misunderstanding, he changed course.
“Happily, the festival is now back on our itinerary and we look forward to playing,” Young added.
The BBC’s Longstanding Glasto Coverage
The BBC has been broadcasting Glastonbury sets for decades, but they’ve had a complicated relationship with Neil Young.
When he last performed there in 2009, only part of his set was shown, due to his team’s restrictions.
According to the BBC at the time, they were allowed to air just five songs, as Young’s camp preferred to preserve the mystery of his live shows.
This year’s about-face suggests the two sides have finally found common ground.
Emily Eavis Shares Her Relief
Glastonbury’s longtime organiser Emily Eavis expressed her excitement about Neil’s return to the Pyramid Stage.
In a post reflecting on the rollercoaster of negotiations, she wrote: “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.”
Young joins an all-star lineup this year alongside legends like Sir Rod Stewart and Nile Rodgers, with younger stars such as Charli XCX and Doechii also lighting up the weekend.