Neil Young’s remarkable return to the stage this year continued this week with the Promise of the Real at Farm Aid in Hartford and the Outlaw Music Festival in Saratoga Springs built to a crescendo with two incredible shows at the Capital Theatre in Port Chester. Two completely unique performances held over two days in front of Neil Young fanatics did not disappoint. Extraordinary does not begin to describe the band delving into Mr. Young’s catalogue with major nods  to the Tonight’s the Night album, the Harvest, Comes a Time And Harvest Moon “trilogy” and the Ragged Glory collection. The Capital Theatre is considered the east coast home base to all things Grateful Dead and Phil Lesh so it came as little surprise the jam band noodling between Love to Burn And Love And Only Love on night two, while a framed photo of Jerry Garcia watched from the side of the tiny Capital stage, seemed to be a grateful homage to the tie dye spirits in the landmark building.

Neil Young seems happy and focused as he continues these short bursts of performances and his rabid fans are happily along for the ride.

The next stop for Young his a two night solo stop on Philadelphia Sunday and Monday sans POTR.

Speakin’ Out

Rock on! 

GQ

It’s been quite a Neil Young  stretch with Farm Aid in Hartford on Saturday, the Outlaw Festival in Saratoga Dprings on Sunday and now two nights with Pronise of the Real at the Capital Theatre in Port Chester, New York. I’m sitting on the orchestra general admission floor about second row from the stage waiting for the band to start at about 8:30. Last night my wife and I nearly walked into Neil as he exited the rear of the theatre to get on his iconic bus hours before the show’s start. A seemingly happy Mr. Young signed done items for a couple of fans and refused photos with the hated cell phone cameras at the ready. A brawl broke out during Fuckin’ Up and Cinnamon Girl And Rockin’ in the Free World led into the encore Roll Anothrr Number. A great night of rock and roll. 

Like an Inca

Rock on!

GQ

After a month working at the U.S. Tennis Open and a pleasant evening with Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band at Radio City on Thursday, David Byrne returns to Queens to perform at Forest Hills Stadium. The Talking Heads performed at Colden Auditorium at Queens College as the original four piece band to what was a not sold out house when I was in college. I also saw the Talking Heads at Radio City Music Hall where the band added layers and musicians throughout the concert. The last time I saw Mr. Byrne in concert was the Stop Making Sense tour at this same Forest Hills Stadium about 37 years ago. The weather is perfect and the stars are aligned for a great night under the stars.

Remain in Light

Rock on

GQ