January 2nd 2025.
It seems that Glastonbury Festival has lost its appeal for some artists, as Neil Young recently announced that he will not be performing at the 2025 edition of the festival. In an open letter, he described the festival as a "corporate turn-off" and cited changes in the festival's organization as the reason for his decision. While Glastonbury is still a coveted opportunity for many artists, others are starting to question whether it is worth it.
One such artist is Nadine Shah, who turned down a slot at the 2024 festival due to low pay. She explained that the cost of playing live is expensive and she couldn't justify the expense for the low fee offered. Festival organizers Michael and Emily Eavis have also admitted that Glastonbury pays significantly less than other major festivals, causing some artists to refuse to perform.
But it's not just about the money. Some artists, like Duran Duran, have turned down Glastonbury on principle. Frontman Simon Le Bon said that he would only perform at the festival if it was on the main stage at a decent time. He has been approached with various offers, including camping and flying in by helicopter, but has refused them all on principle.
Even Queen has declined the opportunity to perform at Glastonbury, and their reason may surprise you. It turns out that guitarist Brian May is a staunch advocate for British wildlife and has repeatedly turned down the festival due to founder Michael Eavis' support of the badger cull. May has said that he could never play at a festival that supports such a tragedy and crime against wildlife.
Other artists who have turned down Glastonbury include The Black Keys, who have vowed never to return after receiving an "insulting" offer, and Fleetwood Mac, who turned down the festival due to a low offer and the death of Christine McVie. And it's not just modern artists who have refused the opportunity - The Kinks famously declined to perform at the first ever Glastonbury after reading an article that described it as a "mini-festival."
Despite the rejections, Glastonbury remains a highly sought-after opportunity for many artists. Sir Rod Stewart is the only confirmed act so far for the 2025 edition, with the full lineup expected to be revealed in the coming weeks. Rumored artists include The 1975, Charli XCX, and Harry Styles.
It's clear that Glastonbury has a special place in the hearts of both artists and fans, but it seems that for some, the festival has lost its charm. As for Niel Young and others who have turned down the opportunity, they will be missed but hope to see their fans at other venues on their tours. Perhaps in the future, Glastonbury will find a way to win back the artists who have turned their backs on the festival.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
