EXCLUSIVE: BBC bosses are risking a fallout with legendary rocker Neil Younger, 79, simply days earlier than his Glastonbury gig over potential protection of his efficiency on Saturday
BBC bosses danger falling foul of rock legend Neil Younger simply days earlier than his Glastonbury gig. The Coronary heart of Gold singer, 79, is likely one of the largest names on the invoice however it’s nonetheless unclear how a lot of his Saturday efficiency will likely be on TV. Younger remains to be wrangling with the BBC about protection. Insiders suspect he’ll comply with letting only a handful of songs exit on TV or BBC iPlayer. Whether or not they are going to be reside or a part of an edited highlights bundle remains to be unclear. A BBC schedule of reside units launched to the general public omits Neil Younger, whereas mentioning headliners similar to Charli xcx and Doechii who play different phases on Saturday.
Bosses must tread rigorously after the star pulled out of the pageant earlier this 12 months citing considerations in regards to the BBC’s “company management”. He mentioned in January: “We have been instructed that BBC was now a accomplice in Glastonbury and needed us to do a whole lot of issues in a manner we weren’t concerned with.
“It appears Glastonbury is now below company management and isn’t the way in which I bear in mind it being.”
A BBC spokeswoman mentioned: “We goal to deliver audiences as many performances as doable from the Pyramid Stage, and our schedules and plans proceed to be finalised, proper as much as and through the pageant.”
Younger has made principled stands not too long ago. He blocked his music from Spotify for 2 years, saying a podcaster on the platform had unfold vaccine misinformation.
This 12 months, he has additionally refused to let Ticketmaster use dynamic pricing for his forthcoming tour. When Younger performed Glastonbury in 2009 solely 5 songs have been televised.
Talking on the time Mark Cooper, then government producer of the BBC’s Glastonbury protection, mentioned: “Neil Younger’s profession has been carried out on his personal phrases.
“They consider within the reside occasion and retaining its thriller and that of their artist. They’ve determined to make one tune out there on-line over the weekend to offer a flavour of his set. That’s Rockin’ within the Free World and that’s their determination.
“You in all probability gained’t discover too many Neil Younger performances out there freely on TV or on-line.”
Elsewhere within the Glastonbury controversy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer known as for Kneecap to be pulled from the line-up. The band was as a consequence of carry out within the 2025 pageant, however the PM would not assume it might be acceptable as a consequence of latest occasions.
He made the assertion after Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh appeared in courtroom as he was charged with a terror offence. The incident was referring to the musician allegedly displaying a flag and making remarks in help of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a live performance in November final 12 months.
Liam Ó hAnnaidh goes by the stage title Mo Chara and was bailed till later in the summertime, which suggests he is ready to play at Glastonbury. The pageant will kick off on June 25 up till June 30.
When requested by The Solar if he thinks Kneecap ought to carry out on the annual pageant, Starmer mentioned: “No, I don’t. I believe we have to come down actually clearly on this.
“I gained’t say an excessive amount of, as a result of there’s a courtroom case on, however I don’t assume that’s acceptable.” The band are scheduled to carry out on the West Holts Stage on Saturday.
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