Anti-Trump rock legend cancels 2026 tour: ‘This is not the time’
European fans of rock icon Neil Young got some bad news this week as the legendary performer abruptly cancelled his entire 2026 tour there.
"I have decided to take a break and will not be touring Europe this time," Young wrote on his Neil Young Archives site on Friday. "Thanks to everyone who bought tickets. I'm sorry to let you down, but this is not the time. I do love playing LIVE and being with you and the Chrome Hearts. LOVE Neil be well."
According to the San Francisco Chronicle , Young's "Love Earth European" tour was slated to begin June 19 in Manchester, England. It's final show was slated for July 26 in Udine, Italy.
In between, per the Chronicle, Young and his band, the Chrome Hearts, were slated to play 13 shows.
Young has been heavily involved in speaking out against President Donald Trump, and he made headlines back in January for an editorial that he wrote.
"Wake up people!" Young wrote on his Neil Young Archives site. "Today the USA is a disaster. Donald Trump is destroying America bit by bit with his staff of wannabes, people with no experience or talent, closet alcoholic wife beaters, inexperienced leaders who only know how to lie to keep favor with Trump falseness so they can hold their unearned positions in his inept government, a Congress full of Republicans acting like idiots with no conscience … Yes. He divided us. How did we elect these creeps who have no spine, no values, no conscience, no way to save the USA.
"We need to take Trump at his word," Young continued. "Make America Great Again. It won't be easy while he is trying to turn our cities into battlegrounds so he can cancel our elections with (martial) law and escape all accountability."
Young wasn't done.
"Something has to change this," he wrote. "We know what to do. Rise up. Peacefully in millions. Too many innocent people are dying.
"It's ICE cold her in America," he continued. "There was no ICE before Trump. No soldiers in the streets before Trump. Every move he makes is to build instability so he can stay in power. He knows nothing about love. He does not know who you are. Use your love of life, your love of one another, your love of children, yours and theirs and ours. Peacefully. Now."
Young, 80, has pulled no punches when criticizing Trump. But he did invite the president to attend one of his concerts on the "Love Earth" world tour last summer.
"When I tour the USA this summer, if there is not martial law by then which would make it impossible, let's all come together and stand for American values," Young wrote back then. "We will not be doing a political show. We will be playing the music we love for all of us to enjoy together. President Trump, you are invited. Come and hear our music just as you did for decades."
Rolling Stone noted that Trump is an admitted fan of Young's music and even did an interview with the outlet in 2008 about the singer.
"He's got something very special," Trump told Rolling Stone back then of Young. "He's performed for me at my casinos over the years, and he just brings it down. I've met him on occasions and he's a terrific guy."
Then again, the site said, Trump could not name any of Young's songs during that interview.
"I like all his songs," Trump said then. "You know, 'Rock and Roll' — just great stuff."
Rolling Stone said Young and Trump's relationship "soured" after Trump announced his run for president and started using Young's "Rockin' In The Free World," at his campaign events.
Young also spoke out last year in support of Bruce Springsteen when he also took Trump to task.
"Bruce and thousands of musicians think you are ruining America," Young wrote. "You worry about that instead of the dyin' kids in Gaza. That's your problem. I am not scared of you. Neither are the rest of us. You shut down FEMA when we needed it most. That's your problem Trump. STOP THINKING ABOUT WHAT ROCKERS ARE SAYING. Think about saving America from the mess you made. Taylor Swift is so right. So is Bruce. You know how I feel."
Read the original article on pennlive.com .
