Neil Young and his band The Chrome Hearts have withdrawn from performing at this year's Glastonbury festival, citing concerns over corporate influence, particularly regarding the BBC's partnership with the event.

Young expressed his disappointment through a statement on his official website, explaining that the BBC's requirements for their performance conflicted with the band's preferences. While specific demands weren't detailed, Young emphasized that the festival's current corporate structure differs significantly from his previous experience performing there in 2009.

"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," Young stated, though he encouraged fans to catch the band at other tour venues.

Photo Credit: Neil Young by Andy Roo (6tee-zeven) / CC by 2.0

The 2025 Glastonbury Festival is scheduled for June 25-29, with Rod Stewart confirmed as a returning performer for the first time since 2002. Neither Glastonbury organizers nor the BBC have commented on Young's withdrawal.

This isn't Young's first stance against corporate entities in the music industry. In 2022, he notably removed his music from Spotify in protest of Joe Rogan's podcast, though his catalog returned to the platform in March 2024.

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