Neil Young's Return to Spotify and the Rise of 'Woke' Music Protests

Musician Neil Young has returned to Spotify after boycotting the platform over its controversial Joe Rogan podcast. Meanwhile, a growing number of 'woke' musicians are withdrawing from music festivals with military ties, such as SXSW in Texas.

Months after Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse abruptly canceled their "Love Earth" tour, the 78-year-old musician is now opening up about what led to the decision.

During a livestream with fans on Wednesday, Young admitted that he came to a realization, both personally and professionally, and "hit a wall."

Neil Young's Return to Spotify and the Rise of 'Woke' Music Protests

"I just woke up one morning on the bus and I said, ‘I can’t do this, I gotta stop.’ And it was like, I felt sick when I thought of going on stage," the singer-songwriter admitted. "My body was telling me, ‘You gotta stop.’ So I listened to my body."

In June, Young announced that they would be taking an "unplanned break" due to illness among various band members.

Neil Young's Return to Spotify and the Rise of 'Woke' Music Protests

"The Love Earth Tour has been a great experience for us so far," he wrote in a message posted to his website. "GREAT AUDIENCES AND MUSIC. WE HAVE HAD A BLAST!"

"When a couple of us got sick after Detroit’s Pine Knob, we had to stop," he continued. "We are still not fully recovered, so sadly our great tour will have a big unplanned break. We will try to play some of the dates we miss as time passes when we are ready to rock again! We know many of you made travel plans and we apologize for the inconvenience. Thanks for your understanding and patience. Health is # 1."

"We want to stay and do more shows and more albums for you…. and for us," the message concluded. "With love and thanks to all of you from Crazy Horse….. Neil, Micah, Ralph and Billy Love Earth."

During the livestream, Young said he knew the tough decision was for the best, despite the frustration they received from fans.

"Then it gets into all the legal matters. ‘You got this, you got that, people bought tickets, they did this, they did that.’ I understand that, but what matters to me is the art of playing, and the music," Young said. "That’s what matters. That’s what people loved. That’s what they loved to come and see. But if that’s not there, me going isn’t happening. My body told me to not do it."

Meanwhile, a growing number of 'woke' musicians are withdrawing from music festivals with military ties. The latest example is the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Texas, which has faced criticism for its partnership with the Texas National Guard.

Several artists, including Japanese Breakfast and the Linda Lindas, have announced they will no longer be performing at the festival in protest of the Guard's presence.

The military's sponsorship of music festivals has become a controversial issue, with some artists arguing that it promotes militarism and glorifies war. Others, however, have defended the partnerships, saying they provide financial support to the arts and help to promote community engagement.

The rise of 'woke' music protests is a reflection of the growing political polarization in the United States. As the country becomes more divided, so too is the music industry.

Neil Young's decision to return to Spotify after boycotting the platform over its controversial Joe Rogan podcast is a sign of the times. Young is a long-time advocate for free speech, but he drew a line when it came to Rogan's promotion of misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spotify's decision to keep Rogan on its platform, despite the backlash, is a reflection of the company's commitment to free speech. However, it has also alienated some listeners who believe that the platform has a responsibility to combat misinformation.

The debate over free speech and the role of musicians in society is likely to continue. As the lines between entertainment and politics become increasingly blurred, artists will face growing pressure to take a stand on important issues.