![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_257233797-7606.jpg\")
\n\t\tNeil Young took to Glastonbury\u2019s Pyramid Stage on Saturday night (Picture: James Veysey\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tNeil Young took to Glastonbury\u2019s Pyramid Stage on Saturday night (Picture: James Veysey\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
Glastonbury<\/a> headliner Neil Young<\/a> reportedly had to use a \u2018cheat sheet\u2019 to help him with the lyrics to his own tunes while performing at the festival.<\/p>\n The Canadian-American star took to the Pyramid Stage<\/a> on Saturday night, sandwiched between Friday\u2019s headliner, The 1975<\/a>, and Sunday\u2019s closer, Olivia Rodrigo<\/a>.<\/p>\n Young, 79, was a divisive choice for revellers, with some claiming his slot should\u2019ve been awarded to Charli XCX<\/a>, who caused a ruckus<\/a> on the Other Stage with all her Brat anthems.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, the veteran rocker put on a show comprising his biggest hits, including Cinnamon Girl, Like A Hurricane, and Rockin\u2019 In The Free World, performing at one point with Hank Williams\u2019 guitar.<\/p>\n However, as his set neared its end, it\u2019s believed the star started to struggle.<\/p>\n According to fans among the thousands-strong crowd, with 25 minutes to go of his 110-minute set, he started glancing at a printed song sheet.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t It\u2019s said the tracks he needed assistance with were renditions of Old Man and Name of Love.<\/p>\n \u2018You\u2019d think he would know the words by now; he has been singing these songs for years,\u2019 one festivalgoer told MailOnline<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018But maybe it\u2019s difficult to play the piano and remember the lyrics.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tGlastonbury 2025 – Latest news\t\t\t<\/p>\n To get more of the latest news from Glastonbury Festival, visit<\/strong> Metro’s<\/strong> dedicated page.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Young is one of the oldest artists ever to headline Glastonbury, following in the footsteps of Sir Paul McCartney, who was the oldest-ever Pyramid Stage performer in 2022. Also that year, Billie Eilish, then 20, became the youngest headliner.<\/p>\n His set opened with Sugar Mountain, after which he told cheering fans: \u2018Thank you, folks.\u2019<\/p>\n Young\u2019s performance was broadcast live on the BBC on day 2 of Glasto, despite it previously being announced that it would not be<\/a>, \u2018at the artist\u2019s request\u2019.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Just hours before he took to the stage<\/a>, the BBC issued a statement that read: \u2018We are delighted to confirm that\u00a0Neil\u00a0Young\u2019s\u00a0headline set from Glastonbury on Saturday will be broadcast live to audiences across the UK on the BBC.\u2019<\/p>\n He had initially turned down the offer<\/a> to headline the Worthy Farm festival, critiquing the Beeb\u2019s involvement and claiming it was \u2018under corporate control\u2019.<\/p>\n The singer had written on his website: \u2018We were told that BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in.<\/p>\n \u2018It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being.\u2019<\/p>\n He did a 180 just days later, though, which surprised everyone.<\/p>\n Young cited \u2018an error in the information [he] received\u2019 for his initial snub, sharing: \u2018Due to an error in the information received, I had decided to not play the\u00a0Glastonbury Festival, which I always have loved.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t \t\t \u2018Happily, the festival is now back on our itinerary and we look forward to playing. Hope to see you there.\u2019<\/p>\n Young first played Glasto 16 years ago, again on the Pyramid Stage.<\/p>\n This year, he joined a starry line-up once more, with Sir Rod Stewart taking charge of the teatime Legends Slot.<\/p>\n Other major names performing this year included Raye, The Prodigy, Noah Kahan, Biffy Clyro, Alanis Morissette, Doechii, Nile Rodgers & Chic, and Wolf Alice.<\/p>\n Glastonbury takes a break<\/a> every five years to allow the soil to rest, meaning the festival will return in 2027.<\/p>\n Rumours are already swirling around who will be the next lot of headliners, with names such as Harry Styles, Sam Fender, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift all strong contenders.<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Neil](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_257235700-5e41.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe veteran performer reportedly needed a hand remembering his lyrics (Picture: Yui Mok\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-1450791869.jpg\")
\n\t\tHe last played Glastonbury in 2009 (Picture: Matt Cardy\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Neil](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_257232847-cdad.jpg\")
\n\t\tYoung initially declined the offer to perform at Glasto (Picture: Yui Mok\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n![\"Charli](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_257241267-b85b.jpg\")
\n\t\tSome argued Charli XCX should\u2019ve been given his slot (Picture: Scott A Garfitt\/Invision\/AP)<\/p>\n![\"US](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_257350603-8c46.jpg\")
\n\t\tUS pop star Olivia Rodrigo became one of the youngest-ever headliners as she closed Sunday night (Picture: Oli Scarff\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Glastonbury](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_257340010_617c87.jpg\")
\n\t\tSir Rod Stewart received a roaring reception for his Legends set (Picture: Kevin Mazur\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Matty](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2222514362.jpg\")
\n\t\tMatty Healy and his 1975 bandmates headlined on Friday night (Picture: Jim Dyson\/Redferns)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Rod Stewart, Bobby Vylan and Kneecap \u2013 Readers discuss politics at Glastonbury<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: The surprising drink nutritionist recommends for speedy festival recovery<\/a><\/p>\n