Entertainment

Neil Young's Glastonbury Performance: A Tumultuous Triumph from an Iconic Noisemaker

2025-06-30

Author: Emily

Neil Young's Glastonbury Saga: A Rollercoaster of Emotions

Neil Young’s second headlining act at Glastonbury was anything but smooth sailing. Before the lineup was even revealed, he hinted at withdrawing from the festival due to a contentious spat with the BBC, criticizing their coverage as a 'corporate turnoff.' After a brief withdrawal, he unexpectedly returned to the lineup, leading to a nail-biting wait over whether his performance would even be streamed live—the BBC had initially declared it wouldn't, yet the show went ahead.

A Contrarian's Entrance

Dressed in his signature tattered plaid shirt and jeans, along with a downturned Casey Jones hat, Young didn’t resemble the classic rock star we’ve come to know; instead, he exuded the aura of a small-town mechanic more wary of outsiders than ever. He opened with an acoustic rendition of 'Sugar Mountain,' setting the stage for a night filled with both excitement and unpredictability.

Rousing the Crowd with Noise and Emotion

Joined by his band, Chrome Hearts—a formidable lineup enhanced by 82-year-old keyboard legend Spooner Oldham—Young unleashed a powerful performance. With tracks like 'Cinnamon Girl' and 'Fuckin’ Up' culminating in explosive soundscapes, the chemistry between musicians generated palpable tension on stage. Young’s lengthy, impassioned guitar solos and the band's tumultuous sound turned exhilarating songs into electrifying anthems.

A Celebration and a Challenge

While the audience roared for classics, Young didn't adhere strictly to expectations. After delighting fans with beloved hits like 'Hey Hey, My My' and 'Harvest Moon,' he threw in 'Sun Green'—a slow, sprawling track that felt more like a challenge than a crowd-pleaser. The lengthy piece left some concertgoers restless, prompting them to explore other festival happenings.

Closing in Grand Style

But just when it seemed he might lose part of the audience, Young surged back with 'Like a Hurricane,' featuring a keyboard setup that dangled from the stage. An acoustic 'Old Man' provided a poignant moment, albeit a slightly somber conclusion to the main set. Yet it was his encore of 'Rockin’ in the Free World' that sparked full festival fervor, as fans sang along, riding high on the collective energy.

A Fitting Legacy

Young's Glastonbury appearance was a testament to his legacy—an inscrutable yet engaging presence who left the stage in a frenzy of elation. True to form, he headlined the iconic festival not just as a rock star, but as a pioneer unafraid to dance to the beat of his own drum.