Neil Young Dusts Off ‘The Loner’ With The Chrome Hearts At Pine Knob

Last night, Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts played the third North American show of their Love Earth Tour at Pine Knob Music Theatre near Detroit. The concert featured two Chrome Hearts live debuts, including Young’s first “The Loner” performance in over six years.

Neil Young's latest band finds him backed by organist Spooner Oldham, Micah Nelson on guitar, bassist Corey McCormick and drummer Anthony LoGerfo. The quintet served up a career-spanning 20-song performance at the Clarkston, Michigan venue.

After opening with the recently resurrrected “Ambulance Blues,” Young & The Chrome Hearts worked through classics “Cowgirl In The Sand,” “Be The Rain” and “Cinnamon Girl.” Next up was the second “Cortez The Killer” of the tour.

Neil Young then dug deep into his massive back catalog for “The Loner,” his first solo single. The bombastic rock song is featured on Young’s self-titled 1968 debut solo album. “The Loner” was last played by the legendary musician on July 9, 2019 with Promise Of The Real in Antwerp, Belgium.

Wednesday’s show proceeded with “Southern Man” and the band’s debut performance of “Ohio.” Young wrote “Ohio” shortly after the Kent State shootings in May of 1970 to protest the killing of four and wounding of nine unarmed college students. CSNY quickly recorded and released the song.

The next portion of the Pine Knob concert saw Young on acoustic guitar for “One Of These Days,” “Harvest Moon,” “Daddy Went Walkin’,” “New Mama” and “Looking Forward.” From there, Neil went back to electric to guide the group through Love Earth Tour setlist staples “Sun Green,” “Love And Only Love,” “Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)” and “Like A Hurricane.” He then played pump organ on “Name Of Love” and closed the set on acoustic with the beloved “Old Man.”

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts said farewell to Pine Knob with a “Rockin’ In The Free World” encore. Watch more audience-captured video of last night’s show below: