Neil Young cancels UK and European tour dates and announces a break from live performances
Neil Young has announced the cancellation of his upcoming UK and European tour dates, confirming that he has decided to step back from live performances for the time being. The 80-year-old Canadian-American singer shared the news in a message posted on his official Neil Young Archives website, where he apologised directly to fans and explained that it is “not the time” for him to be touring. He thanked those who had already purchased tickets and expressed regret at disappointing them, while also emphasising his continued love for performing and for playing alongside his backing band, The Chrome Hearts.
Young had been scheduled to tour Europe this summer, with the tour set to begin in June at the Eden Project in Cornwall and conclude in July in Lucca, Italy. UK dates included concerts in Manchester, Glasgow and Woodstock in Oxfordshire, while additional performances were planned in Cork, Ireland, as well as Nancy in France, Weert in the Netherlands and Zottegem in Belgium. The shows were to feature The Chrome Hearts, a band Young began performing with in 2024.
Although no specific health or personal reasons were given for the decision, Young framed the move as a necessary pause rather than a permanent retirement. His message struck a reflective and apologetic tone, reassuring fans of his appreciation for their support and encouraging them to “be well.”
Neil Young remains one of the most influential figures in rock music, with a career spanning more than six decades. He has received numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards and nine Juno Awards, and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice—once as a solo artist and once as a member of Buffalo Springfield. Known for iconic songs such as “Cinnamon Girl,” “Like a Hurricane,” and “Rockin’ in the Free World,” Young was still actively performing as recently as last year, when he headlined Glastonbury Festival and appeared at BST Hyde Park. The tour cancellation marks a notable pause in an otherwise enduring and celebrated live career.