Neil Young Doesn’t Want To Play Venues That Use Factory Farms
Image via assets.rollingstone.com
When Neil Young was invited to play in concert venues that use factory farms, the musician declined. However, this decision is a risk to his ability to tour.
“When I look at the compromise that I would have to make to do that, the things that I don’t believe in, that I’d have to endorse, it doesn’t turn me on,” he said in his defense.
Factory farming is a form of industrial livestock production which aims to maximize the products and minimize costs. Many people consider this to be cruel not just to animals but to the environment as well. Although Young is known for being a firm environmentalist and supporter of sustainable family farming, he can still actually take measures to make his tour as green as possible, if he wants. The rocker noted:
“I can deal with the power for the venue, I can make it clean. I can make the P.A. clean, the lights clean, the electricity in the building clean. I can clean up all my vehicles. I’ve got the right fuel. I can do all of that. But the food — all those places are fed by factory farms.”
“I can’t support it,” Young continued, admitting he’d want “good food that has to be clean food, sustainably grown, and presented in a sustainable way.” The singer declared:
“Unless the venues are clean, and that they work that way, I won’t be there.”
The rocker’s most recent live performance was held in September 2019. After that, he has been very cautious due to the global pandemic and only did a few private performances. He said:
“Things have to be under control and going in one direction for a while before I’m going to go out and play.”
Now that the pandemic has cooled down, his issues regarding factory farming could stop him from performing live after a long time. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer declared:
“I’ve seen too much.
“I can’t do it. I believe in what I believe, and it’s grounded in science. I know what’s going on in the planet, what caused it, what we’re continuing to do, and I cannot support buildings, organizations and companies that will not change that. If they change it, then I can consider going.”
