Neil Young has requested that the BBC not livestream his upcoming Glastonbury performance. A report by Daily Mail revealed this information.
The BBC confirmed the artist’s request and outlined their broadcasting plans for the festival coverage.
“On Saturday on BBC iPlayer, our Glastonbury Channel and five streams for the main stages will bring a range of live performances to audiences,” a spokesperson for the BBC said. “At the artist’s request, we won’t be livestreaming Neil Young’s set.”
The spokesperson added details about the broadcaster’s ongoing preparations for the festival.
“Our plans, including those for our TV highlights shows and on-demand coverage, continue to be finalised right up to and during the festival,” they continued.
This broadcasting restriction comes as Young prepares for one of the most anticipated performances of the festival weekend.
Timeout reported that Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts are headlining the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, June 28. They are taking the coveted Saturday night slot for the first time at Glastonbury. The performance promises to span his 60-year career across folk rock, grunge rock, and country music.
The absence of Young’s set from BBC coverage creates a notable gap in the broadcaster’s lineup. Radio Times noted that fellow headliners The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo will receive dedicated BBC One slots. Saturday’s BBC One prime viewing at 10:30 pm will instead showcase Charli XCX headlining the Other Stage.
This decision highlights Young’s control over how his performance is presented to audiences. The significant anticipation surrounding his set remains despite this restriction. The Independent confirmed that the BBC’s comprehensive coverage includes multiple live streams and on-demand content. Neil Young’s set remains excluded at his explicit request.
The broadcasting restriction means fans will not be able to watch Young’s historic Glastonbury headline performance through the BBC’s usual coverage channels. This marks a rare instance where a major headliner opts out of the festival’s extensive media coverage.
