Neil Young Pulls Bluesfest, Aussie Tour

Neil Young has canceled his three-hour Good Friday appearance at the 28th Bluesfest, staged April 13-17 in in Byron Bay, Australia.  

Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Desert Trip – Neil Young
“Desert Trip,” Empire Polo Club, Indio, Calif.

He was to play headline dates with his current band Promise of the Real for Frontier Touring after. No reason was given but it is believed that 71-year-old Young decided to take 2017 off from the road.

Bluesfest director Peter Noble said, “Although I have been aware of this as a possibility for a couple of weeks now, I have been appealing to Neil’s management for him to play the confirmed concert. Unfortunately, this is now not going to happen.”

Noble said that Bluesfest had paid a deposit for Young, and had permission to announce his appearance. He is in negotiation with “other great artists” to replace Young. Refunds have been offered.

Other international acts on Bluesfest’s 100-strong bill include the Zac Brown Band, Santana, The Lumineers, Mary J. Blige, Patti Smith, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Bragg and Buddy Guy.