Neil Young Busts Out ‘On The Beach’ In Belgium

Neil Young and Promise of The Real debuted their version of Neil’s “On The Beach” on Tuesday night as part of a concert at Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium. Young hadn’t performed the title track from his 1974 studio album with a band in 45 years. The iconic rocker and POTR also fit two more tour debuts into last night’s setlist.

The latest stop of Neil Young & POTR’s European Tour began in typical style with “Mansion On The Hill,” “Over & Over” and “Mr. Soul.” Then the group played just the second “Love To Burn” of the tour. Next, Young led his band through both “The Loner” and “When You Dance I Can Really Love” for the first time since October 12, 2016. Neil Young then shocked fans by revving into “On The Beach.”

“On The Beach” was played at solo shows by Neil on April 29, 2003 and May 1, 1999 but hadn’t been performed with a full band since 1974. Young and POTR delivered an intense version and for those unaware it would be tough to tell Neil had gone 16 years since playing the song in any form and 45 years since he performed an electric take on the tune. The concert continued with just the second “Unknown Legend” and “From Hank To Hendrix” of the tour. After strapping on an acoustic for “Old Man,” Young moved to piano for “Are You Ready For The Country?”

Tuesday’s concert ended with a bevy of rockers including “Fuckin’ Up,” “Cortez The Killer,” “Cinnamon Girl,” “Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)” and “Rockin’ In The Free World” as well as a “Roll Another Number” encore. Neil & POTR now head to Amsterdam for a concert on Wednesday night.

Watch fan-shot video of “On The Beach” captured by Tino Bekkering:

Setlist (via Sugar Mountain)

Set: Mansion On The Hill, Over And Over, Mr. Soul, Love To Burn, The Loner, When You Dance I Can Really Love, On The Beach, Unknown Legend, From Hank To Hendrix, Old Man, Are You Ready For The Country?, Long May You Run, F*!#in’ Up, Cortez The Killer, Cinnamon Girl, Danger Bird, Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black), Throw Your Hatred Down, Rockin’ In The Free World

Encore: Roll Another Number