Neil Young has broken his silence for the first time since cancelling his entire UK and European tour.
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Earlier this month, the musician announced he’d be cancelling his upcoming outdoor dates, saying “this is not the time” to be playing shows.
These included shows at Cornwall’s Eden Sessions, Manchester’s Heaton Park, and the headline slot at the inaugural State Fayre Festival in Chelmsford.
He was also scheduled to perform at the Glasgow Summer Sessions at Bellahouston Park, Blenheim Palace Festivaland Cardiff’s Blackweir Fields, before heading to Europe for a further string of shows.
However, on February 6, Young told fans that the tour would not be going ahead, writing on Neil Young Archives: I’m sorry to let you down, but this is not the time. I do love playing LIVE and being with you and the Chrome Hearts. LOVE Neil be well.”
Now, he’s responded to a series of fan letters on his website, which have provided some clarity for the cancellation.
Replying to a fan who was checking “everything is OK”, Young wrote: “All is good Michael. Just needed a break. Listening to my body.”
In another letter, a fan asked Young for “better understanding of the decision to cancel”, to which he again said he “needed a break”.
However, he did not go into the specific reasons as to why he needs a break from touring.
Another fan wrote to Young, asking him to tour the US and bring people together in the current political climate. Young stated that he “will try” to do so.
The planned dates were announced after his huge shows last year, with the Chrome Hearts headlining Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage and topping the bill for BST Hyde Park 2025.
In other news, Young recently gifted his entire music catalogue to the people of Greenland for free, while hitting out at Amazon, Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump after the President threatened to annex the Arctic island.
“I’m honoured to give a free year’s access to neilyoungarchives.com to all of our friends in Greenland,” Young began. “I hope my music and music films will ease some of the unwarranted stress and threats you are experiencing from our unpopular and hopefully temporary government.”
He continued: “It is my sincere wish for you to be able to enjoy all of my music in your beautiful Greenland home, in its highest quality. This is an offer of Peace and Love.”
Young confirmed that this would include “all the music I have made during the last 62 years”. He added: “You can renew for free as long as you are in Greenland. We do hope other organisations will follow in the spirit of our example. LOVE EARTH. Neil.”
It followed Young announcing he would be removing his discography from Amazon Music last autumn in protest of founder Jeff Bezos’s support of Trump.
The post Neil Young breaks silence on cancelling 2026 UK and European tour dates appeared first on NME.