Star-Studded Americana Pre-Grammy Salute Honors Neil Young At L.A.’s Troubadour

Grace Potter, I’m With Her, Jesse Welles and Margo Price were among an impressive roster of performers who paid tribute to Neil Young on Saturday night (January 31) in Los Angeles. The all-star Americanafest Pre-Grammy Salute To The Songs Of Neil Young concert took place at the famed Troubadour, with proceeds donated by the Americana Music Association to MusiCares.

The house band for the concert kicked off the night with a rollicking “Are You Ready For The Country?” The talented ensemble included multi-instrumentalist Philip Kronengold, bassist Daniel Rhine, drummer Mark Stepro, guitarist Jim Oblon, fiddler/vocalist Sara Watkins and vocalist Molly Jenson.

Evangeline came out for “Field Of Opportunity” before Alex Amen performed “On The Way Home.” Next, Rhiannon Giddens was accompanied by Justin Harrington and her Carolina Chocolate Drops bandmate Justin Robinson for “Comes A Time.”

The Milk Carton Kids delivered a memorable “Heart Of Gold” duet ahead of a string of songs in which a featured performer led the talented house band. Sierra Hull helmed “Look Out For My Love,” Leif Vollebekk fronted “Powerfinger,” Jensen stepped into the spotlight for “Lotta Love,” Chris Pierce belted out “Southern Man” and Ketch Secor ripped it up on fiddle and sang “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere.”

Margo Price kept the memorable moments coming with a stellar “Love Is Like A Rose.” Secor returned to join the house band in backing Molly Tuttle on “Helpless” ahead of a Maggie Rose-sung “Down By The River” and timely “Ohio” fronted by Katie Pruitt. Young the Giant emerged next to cover “Old Man” with Sara Watkins and Molly Jensen. From there, Gold Star shined on “My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue)” and Jesse Welles turned in a stellar “After The Gold Rush.”

Supergroup I’m With Her were the penultimate featured performers of the night. The trio of Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan went it alone for “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” before welcoming The Milk Carton Kids back for a collaborative “Harvest Moon” with the house band. Finally, Grace Potter teamed with Vollebekk on “Cinnamon Girl” and then the whole cast took the stage for “Rockin’ In The Free World” to end the unforgettable night.

Watch video captured by Todd Norris featuring highlights from the Neil Young tribute below:

Setlist (via Setlist.FM)

Set: Are You Ready For The Country? (Philip Krohnengold with Molly Jenson, Daniel Rhine, Mark Stepro, Jim Oblon and Sara Watkins), Field Of Opportunity (Evangeline), On The Way Home (Alex Amen with Hayley Davis), Comes A Time (Rhiannon Giddens with Justin Harrington and Justin Robinson), Heart Of Gold (The Milk Carton Kids), Look Out For My Love (Sierra Hull), Powderfinger (Leif Vollebekk), Lotta Love (Molly Jensen), Southern Man (Chris Pierce), Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (Ketch Secor), Love Is A Rose (Margo Price), Helpless (Molly Tuttle with Ketch Secor), Down By The River (Maggie Rose), Ohio (Katie Pruitt), Old Man (Young The Giant with Sara Watkins and Molly Jensen), My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue) (Gold Star), After The Gold Rush (Jesse Welles), Only Love Can Break Your Heart (I’m With Her), Harvest Moon (I’m With Her with Milk Carton Kids), Cinnamon Girl (Grace Potter with Leif Vollebekk), Rockin’ In The Free World (Full Ensemble)