Neil Young Glastonbury 2025 – Full Setlist and How to Watch

Neil Young’s headline set on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2025 was one of the most anticipated and discussed performances of the festival. After a public threat to boycott the event, the 79-year-old musician delivered a set with his band The Chrome Hearts that drew praise for its musical authority but also attention for a surprisingly sparse crowd.

The performance, which took place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, was broadcast by the BBC and has since become available on iPlayer. While Young had a long history of discomfort with what he called the festival’s media “corporate turn-off,” he addressed viewers at home directly, saying “How you doing at home in your bedrooms?” — a gesture that underscored his complicated relationship with the festival’s media machine.

This article provides a complete guide to the set: how to watch it, the full setlist, critical reaction, audience response, and the backstory behind the performance.

How to Watch Neil Young’s Glastonbury 2025 Set

For viewers in the United Kingdom, the official way to watch Neil Young’s Glastonbury 2025 set is through BBC iPlayer. The BBC broadcast the full performance live on Saturday, June 28, and the set has been available for replay since then. The Independent noted that Young “succumbed” to the on-air camera lights and his set was “duly broadcast.”

Time Out confirmed that Young’s set was included in the BBC broadcast and answered the common question, “Can I watch Neil Young’s Glastonbury set on TV?” — confirming it was available on BBC One and iPlayer. The set is also listed on the official Glastonbury Festival website as part of the 2025 headliner lineup, with Emily Eavis having confirmed Young as a headliner back in January 2025.

Quick Overview: Neil Young at Glastonbury 2025

Key Insights About the Performance

• Young’s performance was widely praised as a triumphant return after a public boycott threat.
• The setlist balanced classic hits like “Old Man” and “Like a Hurricane” with deeper cuts.
• The crowd was described as reverent and engaged, though noticeably sparse for a Pyramid Stage headliner.
• The BBC broadcast captured the set in full, available on iPlayer for a limited time.
• Young performed with his band The Chrome Hearts, who joined him for a refined version of “Be the Rain.”
• A notable moment saw Young bring out Hank Williams’s guitar as a “special guest.”
• The performance generated debate about booking older legacy acts over younger artists.

Neil Young Glastonbury 2025: Key Facts at a Glance

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts: Full Setlist and Performance Details

The setlist for Neil Young’s Glastonbury 2025 performance has been documented by multiple sources. According to Setlist.fm, the performance was credited to Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts at Worthy Farm, Pilton, England. A pre-show guide from Time Out listed the likely and expected songs, which largely matched the performed setlist.

Young opened with “Sugar Mountain” and worked through a mix of deep cuts and classics. The set included both fan favorites and newer material, demonstrating Young’s continued creative output alongside his legacy work. The Independent described the performance as “mighty” and said Young still sounded like a “bill-topping force.”

Was “Like a Hurricane” Played?

Yes. “Like a Hurricane” was part of the setlist, as confirmed by both Setlist.fm and Time Out’s pre-show guide. The song remains a cornerstone of Young’s live performances, and its inclusion at Glastonbury 2025 was widely noted in reviews.

What Was the Set Time?

Neil Young’s headliner slot took place on the evening of Saturday, June 28, 2025. While exact start and end times have not been officially confirmed by the BBC or the festival, typical Pyramid Stage headliners perform for approximately two hours, beginning in the late evening. Time Out’s pre-show guide estimated the set to start around 9:00 PM BST.

Who Are The Chrome Hearts?

The Chrome Hearts are Neil Young’s current backing band, and the Glastonbury 2025 performance was credited to Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts. The Independent noted that the band joined Young for a refined version of “Be the Rain,” which was described as a standout moment of the set. The band lineup has been a consistent part of Young’s recent touring, though specific individual musician names have not been widely published in connection with this specific performance.

Review and Audience Reaction: Was Neil Young’s Set a Success?

Critical reaction to Neil Young’s Glastonbury 2025 set was broadly positive, with reviewers praising the musical quality of the performance while noting the unusual crowd size for a Pyramid Stage headliner. The Independent described the set as “mighty” and said Young still sounded like a “bill-topping force,” particularly when joined by The Chrome Hearts.

How Was the Crowd Size?

Multiple write-ups noted that the Pyramid Stage crowd was unusually thin for a headliner. The Independent called it “as sparse as any headliner’s this writer has seen since Youssou N’Dour in 1992.” At the same time, the faithful who were present were described as reverent and engaged. No official crowd size has been released by Glastonbury or the festival organizers.

What Was the Audience Reaction?

Among the attending crowd, reactions were positive. The audience that was present was described as attentive and respectful, with many fans appreciating the opportunity to see Young perform. The sparse crowd was likely a reflection of competing interests across the festival site — a common occurrence at multi-stage events — rather than a commentary on Young’s performance itself. The set generated significant discussion online and in music media.

The performance also generated discussion about the ongoing tension between legacy acts and younger artists in headliner slots. Commentary around the set reflected this familiar debate, with some questioning whether an older performer should occupy such a high-profile position. Time Out’s coverage and YouTube discussions highlighted this as a recurring topic in Glastonbury booking strategies.

Why Neil Young Almost Didn’t Play Glastonbury 2025

Neil Young’s path to the Pyramid Stage in 2025 was not straightforward. In January 2025, shortly after Emily Eavis confirmed him as a headliner, Young announced that he would boycott Glastonbury over what he called “corporate” concerns. The specific entities or practices he was objecting to were not clearly identified, and the announcement was vague in its targets.

By late January 2025, Young reversed his decision and confirmed he would perform. The exact reasons for the reversal have not been publicly detailed. The episode highlighted the ongoing tension between artists, festivals, and corporate sponsorship — a issue that has become increasingly prominent in the live music industry. The Independent noted that Young’s long-standing discomfort with the festival’s media presence was well-documented, and the BBC broadcast represented a significant concession on his part.

Timeline: Neil Young’s Journey to the Glastonbury 2025 Pyramid Stage

1. January 3, 2025: Emily Eavis confirms Neil Young as a headliner for Glastonbury 2025.
2. January 2025: Neil Young announces he will boycott Glastonbury over “corporate” concerns (specifics unconfirmed).
3. Late January 2025: Young reverses decision, confirms performance.
4. June 28, 2025: Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts headline the Pyramid Stage.
5. June 28, 2025 (evening): BBC broadcasts the set live on BBC One and iPlayer.
6. July 2025: Setlist and recordings circulate online, with fans seeking downloads and replays.

What We Know vs. What’s Unconfirmed

Analysis: Why Neil Young’s 2025 Glastonbury Set Mattered

Neil Young’s long history with Glastonbury and his last-minute boycott threat made this a high-stakes performance. The performance became a defining moment of the 2025 festival, generating significant online discussion and media coverage. At 79, Young proved his stamina and relevance, delivering a set that satisfied both longtime fans and newer audiences.

The episode also highlights the ongoing tension between artists, festivals, and corporate sponsorship — a debate that is unlikely to disappear from live music discourse. Young’s willingness to perform despite his misgivings about media broadcast rights represented a notable shift in his stance, and his direct address to home viewers suggested a pragmatic acceptance of the modern festival landscape.

The musical significance of the set was underscored by the inclusion of Hank Williams’s guitar as a “special guest,” a moment that The Independent described as typical of Young’s idiosyncratic style. It was a reminder that Young remains an unpredictable and deeply personal performer, even within the highly produced environment of a major festival.

Sources and Key Quotes on the Performance

“Neil Young’s headline set from Glastonbury on Saturday will be broadcast live to audiences across the UK on the BBC.”

— BBC Media Centre, official broadcast announcement

“Ever mercurial Young keeps on rocking at 79.”

— MOJO Magazine, summarizing the tone of their review (cited via MOJO)

“It’s just been confirmed by Emily Eavis that the legendary Neil Young will headline…”

— Glastonbury Festival Official Site, original headliner announcement (cited via Glastonbury Festival)

What’s Next for Neil Young and Glastonbury 2025 Coverage

Fans in the UK should check BBC iPlayer for the set replay before it expires, which is typically within 30 days of broadcast. Unofficial recordings may circulate on YouTube, but their status remains uncertain. Neil Young’s next tour dates and the possibility of a live album from the Glastonbury performance are unconfirmed. Glastonbury 2026 rumors will likely begin circulating in late 2025. For those interested in other major music events, coverage of Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Show – Date, Livestream & Lineup and Co-op Live Manchester: Capacity, Events, Transport, Seating Guide provides additional context on the current live music landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neil Young at Glastonbury 2025