Neil Young shuns Glastonbury over 'corporate control'

Neil Young, the iconic rock musician, has made the decision to skip this year's Glastonbury Festival, expressing his concerns about the festival's current direction. At 79 years old, Neil is celebrated for his timeless hits such as 'Heart of Gold' and 'Rockin' in the Free World. ' He shared that he and his band, the Chrome Hearts, were eagerly looking forward to performing at Glastonbury, which he considers one of his favorite outdoor music events. However, he feels that the festival has become too influenced by corporate interests. 'We were told that the BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in,' he stated. This sentiment reflects his belief that the festival is no longer the same as it used to be. Neil Young headlined Glastonbury back in 2009, and he expressed gratitude to his fans for their support during that performance. He remarked, '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. ' He hopes to connect with his fans at other venues during his tour instead. The BBC, which has been closely associated with Glastonbury since 1997, has chosen not to comment on Neil's announcement. Neil's performance in 2009 was memorable, as he shared the stage with other legendary artists like Bruce Springsteen and Blur. He concluded his set with an extended rendition of 'Rockin' in the Free World' and a cover of The Beatles' 'A Day in the Life. ' Interestingly, Neil's appearance at Glastonbury in 2009 was delayed by 12 years due to an injury he sustained while making a sandwich. As of now, Glastonbury has only confirmed Rod Stewart as one of the headliners for this year's festival, although there have been rumors about Neil Young's potential return. In 2009, fans expressed their disappointment on the Glastonbury website, questioning why the BBC did not broadcast the entirety of Neil's performance. The BBC explained that they had spent months negotiating with Neil's management about what could be shown. Ultimately, they agreed to broadcast five songs from his set, believing in the importance of preserving the live event's mystery. They also decided to make one song available online to give fans a taste of his performance. As the UK's largest music festival prepares to return to Somerset from June 25, excitement is building, but Neil Young's absence will certainly be felt by many.