Neil Young Won’t Perform at Farm Aid 2022, Citing COVID-19 Concerns

Neil Young won’t be at Farm Aid for 2022, which he confirmed in a response to a fan letter on his Neil Young Archives website. “I am not ready for that yet. I don’t think it is safe in the pandemic,” he wrote, adding, “I miss it very much.”

Young co-founded the annual benefit concert to support American farmers, but also dropped out of last year’s Farm Aid due to ongoing concerns about the pandemic. This year’s Farm Aid happens on September 24 in Raleigh, North Carolina, with Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews Band, Margo Price, Sheryl Crow, and more all on the lineup.

Earlier this year, Young pointed his pandemic safety concerns at misinformation on Joe Rogan’s podcast, eventually having his music removed from Spotify over the issue. He later encouraged Spotify workers to quit their jobs at the company.

Neil Young:

Thanks Tyler. Much appreciated.
I will not be at Farmaid this year. I am not ready for that yet. I don’t think it is safe in the pandemic.
I miss it very much.
love
be well
neil

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