Neil Young recently requested that the BBC not livestream his upcoming Glastonbury performance as per Daily Mail.
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 has reported that Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts are headlining the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, June 28th. For the first time, they will take the highly anticipated Saturday night slot at Glastonbury. The performance is set to cover his 60-year career, featuring a mix of folk rock, grunge rock, and country music.
The omission of Young’s set from BBC coverage creates a significant gap in the broadcaster’s lineup. Radio Times noted that fellow headliners The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo will each have dedicated slots on BBC One. Instead, the prime viewing slot at 10:30 pm on Saturday will feature 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.
