Neil Young Wasn’t Kidding: Coastal Tour Opener In Los Angeles Featured Rarities Galore

Neil Young kicked off his first tour since 2019 on Friday at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Young promised each setlist would focus on rarities and he made good on opening night at The Ford.

Young’s Coastal Tour begins with five shows at The Ford. The first concert of Shakey’s solo trek saw him move from acoustic guitar to 12-string, piano and pump organ. Additionally, Neil Young played harmonica on many songs. He was untethered thanks to a wireless mic that allowed him to glide around the stage as he told stories in between tunes.

The 77-year-old musician looked to Mirror Ball, his 1995 album featuring members of Pearl Jam in opening the show and tour with “I’m The Ocean.” Young hadn’t played the song since July 18, 1997 as per Sugar Mountain. Next came mid ’70s gem “Homefires” and a revisiting of his Buffalo Springfield days via “Burned” and “On The Way Home.” Friday’s “On The Way Home” was a solo debut for Neil.

The Buffalo Springfield portion of the night was followed by “My Heart,” a song off the 1994 Neil Young & Crazy Horse album Sleeps With Angels that had been played just five times previously. He then went back to Sleeps With Angels for the live debut of the LP’s “A Dream That Can Last” before returning to Mirror Ball for the first “Song X” since August 27, 1995. Another Sleeps With Angels cut saw action next as “Prime Of Life” — last played on October 22, 1994 — was trotted out.

Young did play a few staples starting with Ragged Glory’s “Mother Earth (Natural Anthem).” Neil was on pump organ for the number and then picked up his electric guitar for a riveting version of CSNY’s “Ohio.” The beloved “Heart Of Gold” ended the main set after the first “Days That Used To Be” since 2014 and the live debut of “Don’t Forget Love” from his 2021 album with Crazy Horse, Barn.

The encore started with the premiere live performance of “Love Earth,” the only song off Neil Young & Crazy Horse’s recently released World Record album played in Los Angeles. Young then wrapped up the concert by covering Ian Tyson’s “Four Strong Winds.” Canadian folk singer Ian Tyson died this past December at age 89.

Neil Young resumed the Coastal Tour at The Ford on Saturday. The only changes were “Throw Your Hatred Down” and “Mr. Soul” replacing “Song X” and “Mother Earth (Natural Anthem).” Young’s tour-opening residency in Los Angeles continues tonight and concludes on Wednesday, July 5.

View more fan-shot video from Friday’s concert below: