Neil Young, the iconic Canadian singer and songwriter, has announced that he will not be performing at the upcoming Glastonbury Festival. In a statement posted on his official website, he expressed disappointment over the festival's increasing corporate influence, particularly by BBC. Young stated that the terms offered to him and his band did not align with their artistic vision.
"It seems like Glastonbury is now under corporate control and not the way I remember it," said the 79-year-old musician, who headlined the festival back in 2009.
This decision reflects broader discussions within the music industry about the commercialization of large music events. Artists like Young are questioning the balance between commercial interests and creative freedom in the music industry.
Glastonbury, which has been associated with BBC since 1997, announced Sir Rod Stewart as the headliner for the Sunday evening performance. The full lineup for the festival, set for June, has yet to be announced.
Previously, Young has taken firm stands on issues, including removing his music from Spotify in 2022 due to controversial content. His stance on Glastonbury highlights ongoing debates about the role of art in the commercialized music industry.