Neil Young, 79, had to use lyric cheat sheets for sparsely-attended Glastonbury headline slot – but DID allow his performance to be shown on the BBC after U-turn on a ban

At the age of 79, Neil Young is one of the oldest musicians to ever perform at Glastonbury.

So to make sure he didn’t forget any of his lyrics as 110 minute set came to a close, the singer has the words to his hit songs in front of him while he played the piano.

Neil, who headlined the music extravaganza on the Pyramid stage on Saturday night, was seen peeking at the song sheet during the last 25 minutes of gig.

He was seen looking at the piece of paper for songs Old Man and Name of Love as his performance drew to a close where words to his hits could be seen.

Members of the audience were surprised to see the lyrics in front of him, with one telling MailOnline: ‘You’d think he would know the words by now, he has been singing these songs for years.

At the age of 79, Neil Young is one of the oldest musicians to ever perform at Glastonbury. Headlining the music extravaganza on the Pyramid stage on Saturday night, he was seen peeking at the song sheet during the last 25 minutes of gig

Neil was seen looking at the piece of paper for songs Old Man and Name of Love as his performance drew to a close where words to his hits could be seen

While Neil played to thousands of his hardcore fans, his show was undoubtedly one of the least watched Saturday night headline slots for many years. So sparse was the crowd (pictured) that those watching were able to walk right up to the barrier 

‘But maybe it’s difficult to play the piano and remember the lyrics.’

Neil, who is married to Splash and Kill Bill actress Daryl Hannah, played all of his big hits for his Glastonbury performance, including Rockin’ in the Free World and Throw Your Hatred Down.

While Neil played to thousands of his hardcore fans, his show was undoubtedly one of the least watched Saturday night headline slots for many years.

So sparse was the crowd that those watching were able to walk right up to the barrier which separates the audience from the stage – quite the contrast to the busy mosh pits at most Glastonbury sets.

And many left in their droves, appearing bored at the melancholy natures of what is supposed to be the biggest number of the festival.

Meanwhile, over on The Other Stage so many people wanted to watch pop star Charlie XCX that crowd officials were directing fans away.

Members of the audience were surprised to see the lyrics in front of him, with one telling MailOnline: ‘You’d think he would know the words by now, he has been singing these songs for years’

Neil, who is married to Splash and Kill Bill actress Daryl Hannah, played all of his big hits for his Glastonbury performance, including Rockin’ in the Free World and Throw Your Hatred Down

Neil had previously said he had initially turned down the offer to perform at the festival, saying it was ‘under corporate control’ of the BBC in a message on his website.

But he later backtracked and was announced as one of the headliners, saying he had ‘always loved’ the event and he was looking forward to performing.

And then he later became just as awkward when he initially stopped the BBC from televising his performance.

Earlier this week the rumour mill went into overdrive after Neil was absent from the BBC’s coverage schedule which was published on Tuesday.

On Thursday night a spokesperson for the broadcaster said: ‘On Saturday on BBC iPlayer, our Glastonbury Channel and five streams for the main stages will bring a range of live performances to audiences.

‘At the artist’s request, we won’t be live streaming Neil Young’s set. Our plans, including those for our TV highlights shows and on-demand coverage, continue to be finalised right up to and during the festival.’

Neil had previously said he had initially turned down the offer to perform at the festival, saying it was ‘under corporate control’ of the BBC in a message on his website

He is one of the festival’s major headliners this year, joining a star-studded line-up that includes Sir Rod Stewart and Nile Rodgers

Festival goers at Glastonbury took to social media to comment on the crowd size, with one writing: ‘Pyramid stage field isn’t even 1/4 full by looks of it? Shame cos Neil Young is sounding pretty decent’

This means viewers would have not be able to see his live performance.

However, in a surprise move, on Saturday the BBC confirmed that his highly anticipated set will, in fact, be shown in a U-turn which will delight fans who can now watch at home. A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We are delighted to confirm that Neil Young’s headline set from Glastonbury on Saturday will be broadcast live to audiences across the UK on the BBC.’

Festival goers at Glastonbury took to social media to comment on the crowd size, with one writing: ‘Pyramid stage field isn’t even 1/4 full by looks of it? Shame cos Neil Young is sounding pretty decent.’ 

Another posted: ‘I’m quite fascinated by what size crowd Neil Young has attracted at #Glastonbury but the aerial shots are so dark, you can’t get any perspective.’

MailOnline contacted BBC and Neil’s representatives for comment.

He is one of the festival’s major headliners this year, joining a star-studded line-up that includes Sir Rod Stewart and Nile Rodgers.

Neil issued a bombshell statement on New Year’s Day accusing the festival of being controlled by the BBC, appearing to dash fans’ hopes he would perform

Neil took to the stage as pop star Charli XCX performed to thousands on the Other Stage at the music festival

Neil’s most recent performance at Glastonbury in 2009 was broadcast on the BBC. But only portions of it were actually televised due to Young’s team objecting

Back in January, the rock star finally agreed to play at Glastonbury Festival.

The singer and his new live band The Chrome Hearts were thought to be in the running for the huge music event which takes place at Worthy Farm.

But Neil issued a bombshell statement on New Year’s Day accusing the festival of being controlled by the BBC, appearing to dash fans’ hopes.

A statement posted on Neil Young’s website at the time said: ‘Due to an error in the information received, I had decided to not play the Glastonbury Festival, which I always have loved.

‘Happily, the festival is now back on our itinerary and we look forward to playing. Hope to see you there.’

Neil had previously said in an open letter on the Neil Young Archives this week: ‘The Chrome Hearts and I were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my all time favourite outdoor gigs.

In a U-turn decision, on Saturday a BBC spokesperson said: ‘We are delighted to confirm that Neil Young’s headline set from Glastonbury on Saturday will be broadcast live to audiences across the UK on the BBC’

‘We were told the BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way that we were not interested in. It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being.

‘We will not be playing Glastonbury on this tour because it is a corporate turn-off, and not for me like it used to be. Hope to see you at one of the other venues on the tour.’

The BBC has aired sets from the music festival across its various television and radio stations for years.

Neil’s most recent performance at Glastonbury in 2009 was broadcast on the BBC. But only portions of it were actually televised due to Young’s team objecting.

In response to criticism from his fans, the BBC said it had ‘spent the last couple of months’ negotiating with his management about how much of his set they could broadcast.

‘Neil Young’s career has been conducted on his own terms,’ the broadcaster said at the time.

‘Neil’s management agreed to let TV and radio broadcast five songs as they watched and listened to his performance. They believe in the live event and retaining its mystery and that of their artist.’

The singer was also booked to appear at the 1997 festival, but had to pull out after cutting his finger while making a ham sandwich.

Neil’s new band features Micah Nelson on guitar, Spooner Oldham on organ, Corey McCormick on bass and Anthony LoGerfo on drums.

Announcing his return to the Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury promoter Emily Eavis hinted at frantic negotiations behind the scenes as she wrote: ‘What a start to the year! Neil Young is an artist who’s very close to our hearts at Glastonbury.

‘He does things his own way and that’s why we love him… We can’t wait to welcome him back here to headline the Pyramid in June.’