Neil Young Patron ZOOM Call Update: New Band & Tour Planning Underway

Neil Young

@ Lost Planet Editorial, Santa Monica, CA - Sept. 9, 2019
Photo by Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP

 

From Neil Young's Patron call earlier today.  Many thanks to Hambone, Dan, Chris, tomatron, Greying Rider and many others for updates via TW comments.

Neil Young Patron ZOOM Call - August 28

 

The following distilation is from TW comments on Unboxing Video  are from Wednesday's call with Neil Young and his fans.

    

At 8/28/2024 04:38:00 PM, Blogger Dan Swan said...

Right from the beginning he states third of five volumes, so at least two more volumes the Archives. I can imagine Neil living for quite awhile after seeing just how healthy and happy he looked in the unboxing video. So I’m really looking forward to the deep dive into Volume 3. And hoping for more while I’m still alive.

At 8/28/2024 09:48:00 PM, Blogger Chris said...

        The call fell at an awkward time and, although I was able to join, unfortunately I could not give it my full attention and did not take my usual minutes. Agree Neil looked and sounded in good health. New tour announcement with POTR lite is excellent news. Though I'm not going to try and travel to the USA to see this tour having got my fingers (and heart) burnt with the cancellation of my dream ticket - I had Row 8 - to see Crazy Horse play in Hollywood. At least it saved me the irony of a long haul flight to see the 'Love Earth' tour, even with an offset. Long may you run, Neil.

At 8/29/2024 06:12:00 AM, Blogger Hambone said...

Morning all. Here's my pick of highlights from yesterday's zoom. No notes either so it's what I can remember after a nights sleep.

1. Frank Gironda mentioned that patron subscribers were at a high and I noted 396 on the call last night. When the zooms started a few years back it was nearer the 250 level, so that sounbds good for the health of NYA.

2. Tour cancellation - as tomatron said - the phrase Neil used was that a couple of the band "hit a wall" and then he felt sick at the idea of going onstage. He was clear that he couldn't just keep going and that what matters is "the art of playing, and the music".

Rolling Stone has some fuller quotes here:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-young-breaks-silence-crazy-horse-tour-cancellation-1235090480/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3pBk7tv2ggwZfQoqO82JRNlchwDcZfkAtcSQ3MlgUx5w61w6TR46KXt2Y_aem_gI2eCa2pbA1Cc-NdmXFlhg

The new tour with Micah, Anthony Logerfo and Corey McCormick is due to follow Farm Aid, at outdoor and theatre venues, many which he has played before. He implied it would be East Coast and then an arc across the country back home - Michigan and Ohio were mention, so sounds like a road trip of sorts.

Content will be a classic Neil/ band set of solo acoustic then the band joins in - and at a less breakneck pace than the Horse.

Neil looked keen to go out, was very animated and sharp on answering questions & was pacing up and down out of camera shot. At one point I wondered if the mail had arrived as he disappeared for a minute or so.

Volume 4 - this will cover 1988 - 2002. There was some talk about where Live Mirror Ball fits in as I think someone asked about it as a separate release.

The other thing was that Neil said a majority of the studio recordings from Vol 4 would be the first band take of songs, which would be "interesting".

Also the implication that Vol 5 will be 2003- the present, whatever that will mean.

Lyrics book - this is in progress. Neil says it has 600 odd songs and will include scans of the original handwritten lyrics where they exist. Sheets are still being found and it may include a few songs where only the lyrics where written, but never found a tune.

Canary novel - this is at the line by line editing stage. There is no publishing deal for it yet, but Neil appears confident they will find one when the book is ready. As he's said before it's a Science Fiction novel.

Now as a very long term SF fan of 50 years - I just got back from the World SF Convention in Glasgow UK - I get a bit wary when celebrities start trying to write in the genre. Often their original idea has already been explored by the numerous fantastic less-known writers out there who live and breathe the genre. But hey it's Neil so I'll be giving a look in.

Coastal soundtrack - OK I hope I heard this right. This is Daryl's film of the 2023 Coastal Tour and the soundtrack will have different songs/versions from what has already appeared on Before and After. The film is almost ready, but I didn't catch a release date.

There was also some technical discussion about playing NYA via ATMOS and SONOS devices/apps but since I don't use them, sorry can't remember the details.

I'm sure others can fill in the gaps of what's been missed.

Hope the new tour is sedate and complete. I'll keep everything crossed for something in Europe eventually but it's great to hear Tales of the Rail from the US from everyone here.

Tony Hambone in the UK

At 8/29/2024 09:12:00 AM, Blogger herbsworld said...

That unboxing video, to me, was glorious! I agree. Neil is in fine form and I felt relief over not only a familiar face, but a personality that remains. I have so many older friends that just “change” with age (Or, maybe it’s me?). Neil seems as enthusiastically excited as ever. Optimistic, even. Glad to see and hear indeed! The box itself, meh.

Not to be a Debbie Downer but there were maybe 5 or 6 audio cd’s that I’m innarested in (tho not in low-fi, cd quality) and maybe 2 of the bluray titles. I would most likely spend more on cherry picking individual titles, if they become available, which I hope they do, (Along with the book). Anyway. Like I said before, I’m happy for the output and everyone who is excited about Christmas in September :)

Here’s to a Happy Neil Year!

At 8/29/2024 01:12:00 PM, Blogger Hayo said...

Other cool things Neil mentioned in the Zoom call:

- CSNY 69 is pretty much done and all analog.

- Roxy album (and maybe video?) is incomplete but in the works.

.

Excellent updates folks! Many thanks for sharing all the details. It is good to share, indeed. Sharing is caring.

So much to unpack here.  The Big Amps carry on. Lost Cortez lyrics found. Archives Vol #4 being worked. So lucky for us rustie grains.

Also, see Neil Young Patron ZOOM Call Update: Archives Volume #3 w/ 17 Discs.

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MORE CANCELS: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse “Love Earth Tour” Leg #2 & Beyond

Sting Replaces Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse as Headliner @
  Beyond Bourbon & Beyond 2024 Festival (Click photo to enlarge)

 

As if the news of cancellation of all remaining dates of Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse “Love Earth Tour” Leg #2 wasn't bad enough ... it gets worse.

Now we have the announcement that Sting has replaced Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse as the headliner for the Beyond Bourbon & Beyond 2024 Festival due to   “Covid consequences.”

So not only has the Canada Leg #2 canceled, along with 2 Texas dates and Chicago date but Ohana Festival and Hollywood Bowl dates are canceled, as well, per Sugar Mountain.

So that leaves the big question on Farm Aid 2024, Saratoga Springs.

Normally by this time of year, Farm Aid has announced venue, artists, ticket sales, etc.  But here we are in mid July and nothing officially from Farm Aid whatsoever.

Neil Young Archives has provided very limited info on what is happening.  Although Neil continues to answer letters as recently as yesterday July 15.

So, “Covid consequences.” Really?!

  "I watched the needle take another man": 

Neil Young Takes The Jab 

Thrasher's Wheat - March 23, 2021

 

Well, very, very hopefully,  no damage done by the needle ...

"I sing the song because I love the man 

 I know that some of you don't understand" 

 

Take care Neil & Horse!

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CANCELED: All Remaining Dates on Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse “Love Earth Tour” Leg #2

 

TOUR BREAKvia  Neil Young Archives

 

UPDATED:  All remaining dates on the  Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse “Love Earth Tour” are  canceled, due to illness hitting “a couple of us”, per   Neil Young Archive.

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Since the abrupt end of Leg #1 of  Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse's “Love Earth Tour” in May in Chicago, there has been increasing conCERN over the status of Leg #2 scheduled to begin in July.

 

  Love Earth TourNeil Young w/ Crazy Horse

 

Now we are hearing that an announcement on status of Leg #2 of Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse's “Love Earth Tour” will be forthcoming very soon.

So stay tuned, standby, keep your fingers crossed and let's all hope for the best for everyone in the band, friends, and families.

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NEW DATE: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse - Ohana Festival, Dana Point, California, 2024-09-28

 Love Earth TourNeil Young w/ Crazy Horse

 

A new Neil Young concert date has been announced for Ohana Festival, Dana Point, California on Sept 28, presumably w/ Crazy Horse.

The Ohana Festival will headline Pearl Jam the day before and after the Neil gig.

 

Per comment by GDTRFB71:

[Eddie] Vedder traditionally plays solo or with his side band Earthlings at Ohana, but performed with Pearl Jam for the first time at a series of shows there in 2021.

Vedder has also guested on numerous occasions with Ohana artists such as Liz Phair, Johnny Marr and the Killers, so it wouldn’t be a major surprise if Young and Pearl Jam team up in some form that weekend.

More on “Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Concert Dates (UPDATED). 

 

Crazy Horse circa 2023

image via Rusted Moon

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“Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse 2024 Concert Dates + Ticket Details (UPDATED)

 Love Earth TourNeil Young w/ Crazy Horse 

 “Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse 2024 Concert Dates

(via Sugar Mountain)

 

Concert reviews, setlists, photos, videos, etc @ links below

• April 24, Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, San Diego, California
• April 25, Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, San Diego, California
• Apr 27 - Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
• Wed May 01 - Austin, TX - Germania Insurance Amphitheater Weather cancellation
• Thu May 02 - Dallas, TX - Dos Equis Pavilion Weather cancellation
• May 04 - New Orleans, LA – Jazz & Heritage Festival
• May 05 - Huntsville, AL - Orion Amphitheater
• May 07 - Alpharetta, GA - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
• May 09 - Franklin, TN - FirstBank Amphitheater
• May 11 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
• May 12 - Camden, NJ - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion  
• May 14 - Queens, NY - Forest Hills Stadium
• May 15 - Queens, NY - Forest Hills StadiumMay 17 - Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center
• May 18 - Bridgeport, CT - Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
• May 20 - Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage 
• Wed May 22 - Clarkston, MI - Pine Knob Music Theatre

 
Thu May 23 - Chicago, IL - Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island - postponed

May 26 - Austin, TX - Germania Insurance Amphitheater  - rescheduled date postponed
May 27 - Dallas, TX - Dos Equis Pavilion Weather - rescheduled date postponed

 

See WRAPUP: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse's Love Earth Concert Tour Leg #1 - Statistics, Links + More 

 

2nd Leg - See

• CANCELED: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse “Love Earth Tour” Leg #2 Update +

• MORE CANCELS: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse “Love Earth Tour” Leg #2 & Beyond 

 
Mon July 8 - Toronto,ON - Budweiser Stage
Thu July 11 - Ottawa, ON - Ottawa Bluesfest
Sat July 13 - London, ON - Rock The Park
Wed July 17 - Winnipeg, MB - Blue Cross Park
Sat July 20 - Calgary, AB - Fort Calgary
Mon July 22 - Burnaby, BC - Deer Lake Park
Tue July 23 - Burnaby, BC - Deer Lake Park
Thu July 25 - Bend, OR - Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Fri July 26 - George, WA - The Gorge
Sun July 28 - Boise, ID - Ford Idaho Center Amphitheatre
Mon July 29 - Salt Lake City, UT - Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
Wed July 31 - Denver, CO - Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre
Thu Sep 19 - Louisville, KY - Bourbon & Beyond Festival
Sat Sep 28 - Dana Point, CA - Ohana Festival
Sun Sept 29 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl

 

+ Farm Aid 2024 - Sept/TBD

 

ORIGINAL POST ...  

Official NYA Update @  Neil Young Archives | Tickets

Neil Young & Crazy Horse “Love Earth Tour” dates via The San Diego Union-Tribune

  Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse  - 2021

 

“Love Earth Tour” tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday at ticketmaster.com.

A two-day pre-sale for Neil Young Archives members begins today, Tuesday, at 10 a.m. PST. (see comments below) A Live Nation pre-sale begins at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Don't Be Denied!

Also, Neil Young will headline   New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024 and the Bourbon & Beyond 2024 Festival.

More on  Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour Starts in April. 

Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour

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NEW DATES: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse, Canada Tour Leg Announced

 

Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Canada Concert Tour Leg dates now announced:

 

    Monday, July 8, 2024        Toronto, ON       Budweiser Stage
Thursday, July 11, 2024*      Ottawa, ON         Ottawa Blues Fest
Saturday, July 13, 2024*       London, ON        Rock The Park
Wednesday, July 17, 2024    Winnipeg, MB    Blue Cross Park
Saturday, July 20, 2024         Edmonton, AB    Kinsmen Park
Sunday, July 21, 2024            Calgary, AB          Fort Calgary
Tuesday, July 23, 2024          Vancouver, BC    Deer Lake Park 

Tickets will go on sale for the general public at 10AM  local on Thursday, March 7th, but NYA annual members will be able to get tickets for select venues starting Monday,  March 4th, before anyone else!

(*Presale tickets are not available for July 11 & July 13 shows.)

Remember the following:
Ticket codes and presale links are only available from the Tickets page of NeilYoungArchives.com, the desktop website, NOT on mobile or in the iOS or Android app.

Get more info at NeilYoungArchives.com

More on  “Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Concert Dates.

“Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Concert Dates

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Comment of the Moment: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse* 2024 Love Earth Concert Tour

Crazy Horse w/ Micah Nelson(replacing Nils Lofgren)
image via Rusted Moon

 

For the turnstiles ... yet again.

Whenever Neil Young goes on tour, there always seems to be a hitch somewhere along the line for the fans. (See "I said solo...they said acoustic")

"I said solo... they said acoustic" - 2011 T-Shirt

(see Neil Young News)  

 

So who will be the "new" Poncho on the 2024 “Love Earth Tour” of Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse?

Our Comment of the Moment on  2024 “Love Earth Tour” of Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse by Jim asks some questions on the subject of Crazy Horse band members:

Somebody's gotta sit down with Springsteen and just be like “Listen man...the *10-piece* E-Street Band will be fine without Nils for a brief Crazy Horse tour! 

These guys have a rich history together and haven't had a chance to hit their stride on the road yet with Nils! Unshackle the chains for a bit, will ya?”

I got my hopes up when Billy & Nils did a Livestream interview shortly after “World Record” was released. Both of the guys were so proud of the new album. And they both agreed that “Chevrolet” in particular was a new plateau for this lineup...a moment when everything came together like magic. And Nils went on about how he was super excited to get into a big groove with it on a tour with the Horse....to really sprawl out and experiment with it and let it take on new life, as it's clearly an incredible jam vehicle!

I'm reminded of when Max Weinberg would occasionally take a hiatus as drummer for The Max Weinberg 7 on “Late Night with Conan O'Brien” to go out on tour with Bruce. He would probably rather get out there and make the big bucks...plus Bruce was counting on him. That said, his time on “Late Night” really allowed him to get a chance to shine and get real creative...and frankly, his playing was much more interesting as Conan's bandleader. I feel the same with Nils...that he's given much more freedom in Crazy Horse and room for experimentation.

I wonder which gig he really prefers when it comes down to it. Either way, the upcoming tour won't be the same without him and I'm disappointed that I had to find out he wouldn't be a part of it by randomly stumbling across a comment from Ralph Molina on Facebook that was left the day after the pre-sale!

I don't know about the rest of you all...but Nils not being on the tour seems like a critical piece of information to include in the official tour announcement email that Neil Young Archives sent out. An email that also included direct links to the pre-sale! How a simple statement in the introduction letting us know definitively that an official Crazy Horse band member with roots going back 50+ years won't be a part of the tour you're announcing at that moment wasn't a priority is beyond my comprehension. It lacks decency. I hopped onto the pre-sale without a second thought because one would have to assume an official tour announcement would address this sort of personell change. A lot of fans will be arriving to these concerts still expecting to see the great Nils Lofgren in the fold.

The response I received from certain fans on Facebook was that I need to “keep up” better. Bullshit. Judging by the number of reactions to Ralph's comment saying Nils was out, I was clearly not the only one surprised (and of course, disappointed).

Let's be honest....this could've and should've been handled a little better. A simple clarification was all it took.

With that said, I hope Micah surprises me (and that he lets Neil handle the bulk of the guitar solos.) 😎

We hear you Jim. The upcoming album FU has both Micah and Nils from the Toronto stealth gig. So actually would love to have both Micah and Nils on the 2024 Love Earth Concert Tour.

So who's going to talk to Bruce?? 

More on  “Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Concert Dates.

“Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Concert Dates

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VIDEO: Broken Circle (Over and Over) - Neil Young · Crazy Horse

Broken Circle (Over and Over)Fu##n' Up
Neil & The Horse

 

A new cut "Broken Circle (Over and Over)" from the upcoming album Fu##n' Up by Neil & The Horse. (thanks for the share Mike!)

 

The album Fu##n' Up by Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse  contains re-recordings of songs from 1990's  album Ragged Glory.  Release date is April 26.

FU##IN’ UP Tracklist:
01. “To Follow One’s Own Dream” (“Days That Used To Be”)
02. “Walkin’ In My Place (Road Of Tears)” (“Mansion On The Hill”)
03. “Farmer John”
04. “Valley Of Hearts” (Love To Burn”)
05. “Broken Circle” (“Over And Over”)
06. “Heart of Steel” (“F.U.”)
07. “Feels Like A Railroad (River Of Pride)” (“White Line”)
08. “City Life” (“Country Home”)
09. “A Chance On Love” (“Love And Only Love”)

Neil Young said in a statement:

“In the spirit it’s offered, we made this for the Horse lovers.

I can’t stop it. The Horse is runnin’. What a ride we have. I don’t want to mess with the vibe, and I am so happy to have this to share.”

More on  FU##in' UP is Coming! | NYA.

FU##in' UP is Coming! | NYA

 

More on STEALTH GIG REPORT: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse, Toronto - Nov. 4, 2023.

Also, see The Neil Young Stealth Gig and The Damage NOT Done + Comments of the Moment. 

The Rivoli, Toronto on Nov. 3, 2023

(see STEALTH GIG REPORT: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse)

Photo by Andrew Bennett  (Click photo to enlarge)  

More on  “Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Concert Dates.

“Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Concert Dates  

Flannel Never Sleepsvia The Hits Locker 

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POLL: Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour: "Crazy Horse or POTR" ???

Which band for Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour? |  @ThrashersWheat  (Click photo to enlarge)  

Earlier in the week, we posted on a recent "Letters to the Editor | Neil Young Archives | Times-Contrarian", where Neil was asked about the band configuration for the upcoming Bourbon & Beyond 2024 Festival on Thurs., Sept 19.

 

Neil helpfully replied: "Crazy Horse or POTR".

Now we have put the question to the our rustie grain friends: Which band for Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour?

 

 Which band for Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour? |  @ThrashersWheat  (Click photo to enlarge)

 

And it would seem that based on early poling results, the  rustie grains have spoken with over 80% in favor of the band Crazy Horse.

Polls are still open. So get out and vote. Stand and be counted.  Exercise your rights to vote your preferences.  This is the most important election of our lifetimes.

Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour: "Crazy Horse or POTR"

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Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour: "Crazy Horse or POTR" ???

Neil Young Archives | Times-Contrarian
 (Click photo to enlarge)

 

In a recent Letters to the Editor | Neil Young Archives | Times-Contrarian, Neil was asked about the band configuration for the upcoming Bourbon & Beyond 2024 Festival on Thurs., Sept 19.

Bourbon & Beyond 2024 Festival
 (Click photo to enlarge)

 

This gig apparently does not include Crazy Horse, unlike the previously announced  New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024, which includes Crazy Horse on the bill.

Neil's response: "Crazy Horse or POTR".

so. Promise of The Horse? Crazy REAL? Some amalgamation/tbd?

Smell The Horse! Keep The Promise!
Which band will Neil Young tour with in 2024???https://t.co/iz2qz5O7Rw
☮️♥️@NeilYoungNYA @CrazyHorse4HOF @lukasnelson pic.twitter.com/qMpRVFuSml

— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) February 8, 2024

#DontSpookTheREAL #SmellThePromise

More on  Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour Starts in April. 

Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour 

 

Which band for Neil Young's "LOVE EARTH" 2024 Tour?

— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) February 9, 2024

 

Update: The NYA posting last month on Jazz Fest tickets  (see NYA TICKET UPDATE: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse @ New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024) is no longer displayed. (thanks RBL66!)

 

New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024 | NYA (Click photo to enlarge)

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Our Farm Aid 2023 Concert Report

 Neil Youngphoto by Jim McKelvey (Click photo to enlarge)  

Having barely recovered from our big Farm Aid weekend, we here at Thrasher's Wheat have an epic Concert Report on our finest Farm Aid experience ever -- and we have been to a few going back to FA 1999.

Here's a Farm Aid 2023 Concert Report by John Kwit along with photographs by Jim McKelvey, author and scholar (except as noted).
 

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Farm Aid 2023: 

Neil Young is Angry and Dammit So Am I

by John Kwit 

Photographs by Jim McKelvey (except as noted)

Let’s cut to the chase.

 

 

 

On Saturday evening September 23, 2023, Neil Young played a solo set to a sold-out crowd of 25,000 at Farm Aid in Noblesville, Indiana. He played 4 songs: Comes A Time, Are There Any More Real Cowboys, Love Earth and Heart of Gold. 

 

He was angry at the pre-concert press conference and he was angry on stage. I enjoyed every act on the bill except one. Oh, and Bob Dylan unexpectedly showed up. If you weren’t there in-person you missed it. But don’t dwell on your misfortune, just plan to attend next year. 

 

 Farm Aid Board of Directors

 

Like the swallows coming home to Capistrano, Neil and Bob may just show up again. But in the meantime support your local family farmer. For some of you, that might be enough of a summary to read but I encourage all to continue.

 

  Neil Youngphoto by thrasher 
 (Click photo to enlarge)
Thirty-eight years of Farm Aid. 1985-2023. Thirty-eight years of attempting to assist America’s dwindling number of family farms. It’s been pitted as a David versus Goliath battle. Factory Farms – bad. Family farms – good. Pesticides – bad. Organic – good. Throw in some modern day dashes of Climate Change hysterics and Diversity/Equity/Inclusion concerns and you have the recipe for a modern
day Apocalyptic Armageddon stew.

 

Press Conference @  Farm Aid 2023
 

Let me begin by focusing in on Neil Young. He hadn’t set foot on a Farm Aid stage since the Pandemic rolled into town. You could write until the cows came home about the damage the Pandemic and its related supply chain issues did to the world. It impacted Neil. It impacted you and it impacted me.

Neil retreated to his mountain cabin and touring went to the wayside. He made lots of music from his porch and shared it with the world on his massive Neil Young Archives website – still the best subscription value for the money on the web (actually tied with Thrasher’s Wheat). 

 

 Willie Gets the Big Day Started

 

Old new music, new old music, EPs, box sets, live shows, movies, lost studio albums, new studio albums: they’re all available on the Archives. In my opinion, the seed for the Archives started the minute Neil swiped one of his own bootleg records out of a local vinyl record shop in the early 1970s because it was his work. He took that simple idea that the music he created was his and 50 years later he turned it into a seemingly unending treasure trove of recorded gems (and swag) that he could share with the world at his own pace at his own price points in his own Greedy Hand shop. Record company executives and bootleggers be damned.

 

It was bad enough that Neil had announced that he wouldn’t be touring
until he found an environmentally friendly bus. But it’s all getting better now because Neil is concentrating on his music and he’s going out on the road and playing live music.

 Neil Young

 

Back to Farm Aid: At the pre-concert press conference Neil reminisced about being able to wander about in the woods with his friends as a kid and drink the water right out of the stream. Everything was natural and beautiful. He encouraged everyone to think naturally and follow natural ways. One pointed example he raised was walking. If you have a choice and the ability to walk a mile and a half to get something done then do it he said. Walking would be better than an unnatural way like hopping in your car. I’m all in favor of walking. I do it quite a bit here in Chicago if I’m not using public transportation.

 Neil Young

For the record I’m inviting Neil to join me on a walk the next time he comes through town on a tour. I would relish the opportunity to chat with him along the way as we walk from his hotel to the venue and back. I will even volunteer to carry his guitar case. Both ways. There are plenty of intimate venues in downtown Chicago that are a mile and half or less walking distance from a decent hotel. The Chicago Theater, Riveria, Aragon Ballroom and Thalia Hall come to mind.

 

 Willie & Neil

I love the American Farmer. I love all farmers. They feed you. They feed me. We need them to produce and they need us to consume. As the great philosopher Particle Kid pontificated from the Farm Aid stage: “It’s not rocket surgery.” Unfortunately for me, the current state of anarchy in Chicago makes walking home safely in the evening from job #2 more important on my hierarchy of needs than buying a bag of organic carrots in lieu of the standard variety. Frankly I think charging $10 for a cup of organic coffee at the Farm Aid venue was a bit steep. Economics has a way of dictating the purchasing choices of the population. Yes, eating healthy foods is important, but not if the price is out of your family budget.

 

John Mellencamp & Neil Young

photo by John Kwit

 

From the comments uttered by John Mellencamp and Neil throughout the day I got the sense that they were simply tired of seeing the dwindling number of family farms. John said he didn’t think we’d need a Farm Aid thirty-eight years later and he was disgusted that the Government had money for all sorts of things but not for the family farmer, homelessness or water issues. Neil encouraged concertgoers to read the label on food they buy, support family farms and come back to future shows in droves. 

 

 John Mellencamp

photo by John Kwit 

 

The show in Noblesville was a sellout so perhaps moving the venue to a large plot of land (know any farms in upstate New York that might work?) where 20 times as many people could come would help out. But the problem is one single concert a year is not the answer to the family farmer’s problems. It will take a seismic shift in thinking on the part of a considerable percentage of the population to make a significant dent in the problem. And with all the issues facing the U.S.: crime, immigration, politicians on both sides of the aisle under legal storm clouds I frankly just don’t see it happening any time soon.

 

But back to the concert. What were the highlights and low points?

John Mellencamp & Bob Irsay

The worst part of Farm Aid XXXVIII was enough to make my stomach churn. It was absolutely cringeworthy John Mellencamp graciously accepted a million dollar check for Farm Aid from Indianapolis Colts owner Bob Irsay who literally bought his way onto the stage with his band. And to rub salt in the wound, Irsay had the audacity to light up and  smoke a few cigarettes in the non-smoking venue while he was up there. Rules for thee but not for me.

The audience around me was roundly jeering Irsay’s every song.

 

But let’s end on some positive notes, shall we?

Bob Weir, Sturgill Simpson & Margo Price

 

Lukas Nelson

 

Lukas, Willie & Micah Nelson

The most joyful part of the day for me was seeing Bob Dylan amble out on stage as a surprise guest, along with Tom Petty's band The Heartbreakers. The photographer’s area had been cleared and the film camera crew was sent packing before he arrived. The audience was filled with excitement and theories on who was about to hop on stage. Is Pearl Jam coming, will it be Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Taylor Swift (does she have a garden)? 

 

"Maggie's Farm"

Bob Dylan w/ Mike Campbell 

photo by thrasher 

 

In my mind, the absence of photographers should have narrowed it down to two people: Dylan or his old mentor Ramblin’ Jack Elliott who is well known for stopping his show mid-song if someone points a lens his way. Of course it was Dylan. And he played the guitar for God’s-sake! God Bless him. 

 

 

Dylan & The Heartbreakers

 

And God Bless Neil Young for coming back on stage to play live music, especially in light of the fact that he played 2 nights at the Roxy with Crazy Horse just a day before.

 

 Jim, Renee & Paul

 

 
In summary, other than the Irsay debacle, Farm Aid XXXVIII was fantastic. Great food, great music, great weather, great venue staff, and a great audience. A special shout out to the Canadian FarmAidians Paul & Renee. You are a treasure. 

 

The FarmAidian Crew

 

 

FarmAidians Rock!

 

 

Will there be a Farm Aid 39? Of course there will. And the usual cast of performers will undoubtedly be there. Shoot for those planning ahead there will probably be a Farm Aid #139.

 

It’s just the natural thing to do to continue to help support American Family Farmers.

John Kwit

 

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Thanks for the coverage John! See you @  Farm Aid 39!  And FA #139, too, maybe hopefully, doubtfully.

w/ Jim

w/ Paul

 

w/ Craigy

"Ten silver saxes, a bass with a bow 

The blogger relaxes and waits between shows 

For his cinnamon girls ..."

"cinnamon girls ..."

 

w/ John (& Willie!)

 

 

Thanks again to all and it was wonderful to see everyone this year at Farm Aid. Many thanks to our intrepid TW reporter John Kwit and stellar photographer Jim McKelvey, author and scholar.  

 

And -- most especially -- thanks to our FarmAidian hosts Paul & Renee! We'll see you in 2024. 

 

Willie's Hat & Reserve Cup

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