First, listen to his album Harvest Moon on repeat for a week. But also listen to Rust Never Sleeps for that crunchy, feedback-heavy righteous anger. You want the full range—teary-eyed ballad Neil and stompy, electric-sheep-stomping Neil.
Second, practice your “I’ve been a fan since birth” face. You’ll be surrounded by people who claim they were there when he played with Crazy Horse in 1973. Don’t argue. Just nod and say, “Right on, man.”
Third, pace your cider consumption. You don’t want to be that person who passes out during “Old Man” and misses the epic guitar solo. That’s a life regret you cannot fix with a gluten-free crepe.
Oh, and bring earplugs. Not because he’s loud—well, he can be loud—but so you can hear the pure, raw emotion without your eardrums filing for divorce.
The Epic Setlist Speculation (Purely for Fun)
Nobody knows the setlist yet, but we can dream. Expect a mix of deep cuts and crowd-pleasers. “Rockin’ in the Free World” is basically guaranteed—it’s the law of Glastonbury. You’ll also likely get “The Needle and the Damage Done,” which will make everyone go quiet and stare at their own shoelaces in quiet contemplation.
Neil Young at Glastonbury Festival
There’s a chance he’ll bring out a surprise guest. Maybe Joni Mitchell will wander on stage for a cup of tea and a duet. Or maybe Willie Nelson will pop up from behind a porta-potty. In Neil Young’s world, anything is possible.
But the real magic? The moment when the sun is setting over Worthy Farm, the air smells like damp grass and fried dough, and Neil starts playing “Harvest.” You’ll be holding a warm beer, your friend’s arm is around your shoulder, and for three minutes and forty-five seconds, everything is perfect. Pure, unadulterated festival bliss.
