Neil Young Officially Cancels Bluesfest 2017 Appearance

2 December 2016 | 10:06 am | Staff Writer

New headliner to be announced soon.

More Neil Young More Neil Young

Following reports that Neil Young had cancelled headline shows around Australia next year, it can now also be confirmed the Canadian songwriter will now no longer be performing at Bluesfest 2017. 

Young was scheduled to headline the event with Promise Of The Real, fronted by Lukas Nelson, son of fellow music legend Willie Nelson.

"It is with a heavy heart I announce this morning that Neil Young has cancelled his performance at Bluesfest 2017," Bluesfest director Peter Noble said in a statement on Facebook today.

"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.

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter

"Whilst details for the cancellation remain sketchy, from what I can gather Neil has decided to take 2017 off from touring."

Noble added that there has been no statement from Young's own camp.

"I have no reason to believe this is due to any illness, I have been advised he is tired from recent touring, and I surmise wants to have some down time.

"Bluesfest had its own contract with Neil's representatives for the performance, we paid the required deposit, and had full permission to announce the Bluesfest performance.

"I want to wish Neil Young the very best and what he is doing for First Nations People at Standing Rock. We look forward to presenting him soon at Bluesfest."

See the full statement below.

It had been speculated in recent days that the iconic artist's performance at the Byron Bay event would not go ahead, after Frontier Touring announced his own headline shows in the country had been cancelled.

Bluesfest has announced that they are currently working on a new headlining act for the Friday night.