Watch Neil Young Perform 1st Solo ‘Vampire Blues’ In Concert Since 1974 At The Ford

Neil Young continued his solo run at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on Monday where he performed “Vampire Blues” for the first time solo and in public since 1974. The four-night stand at the 1,200-seat outdoor amphitheatre tucked in the Hollywood Hills marked the third of Young’s four concerts at the venue.

Neil’s stint at The Ford marks the beginning of the legendary singer-songwriter’s first tour since 2019. Before announcing the West Coast jaunt, Young indicated he would be focusing on rare songs during the run and made good on that promise on opening night at The Ford.

The intimate concerts have been made even more so with Young performing in a stripped-down solo format where he’s utilized acoustic guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, pump organ and harmonica as well as electric guitars. The singer-songwriter has also used a wireless mic so that he can move around the stage and regale the audience with stories.

The concerts at The Ford have seen Neil focusing on a number of the same songs from his solo catalog as well as gems from his Buffalo Springfield and CSNY days. On Tuesday, Young kicked off his set as he’s began off the previous two sets with the originally backed by Pearl Jam 1995 song, “I’m The Ocean,” ahead of ’70s gem “Homefires.” Young-penned Buffalo Springfield songs “Burned” and “On The Way Home” followed before “If You Got Love.”

It’s around this time in the set Young has thrown in some variations. On Monday, Neil delivered the first solo “Vampire Blues” in concert in nearly 50 years, as per Sugar Mountain. Young did perform the song solo at one of his pandemic Fireside Sessions from his home in Telluride, Colorado and the tune was a staple in 2016 with Neil Young and Lukas Nelson’s Promise Of The Real.

But the 2023 version at The Ford marked the first time Neil has performed the song solo since March 16, 1974 just up the coast from L.A. in San Luis Obispo on March 16, 1974, which was also the On The Beach cut’s debut. Neil performed “Vampire Blues” at The Ford on his go-to electric guitar, “Old Black,” a 1953 Gibson Les Paul.

Watch Neil Young on “Vampire Blues” for the first time solo in concert in nearly 50 years below:

Young did offer a few well-known hits from his catalog including CNSY’s “Ohio,” “Heart Of Gold” and closer “Rockin’ In The Free World.” Neil concludes his four-night run at The Ford tonight.

Setlist (via Sugar Mountain)

Set: I’m The Ocean, Homefires, Burned, On The Way Home, If You Got Love, My Heart, Vampire Blues, Prime Of Life, When I Hold You In My Arms, Mother Earth (Natural Anthem), Ohio, Days That Used To Be, Don’t Forget Love (unfinished), Heart Of Gold

Encore: Rockin’ In The Free World