Introduction
Neil Young unearthed a deep cut from his archive during his heartfelt performance at the Light Up the Blues charity concert on Saturday evening.
The event, held at the iconic Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, also welcomed performances from Billy Idol, Linda Perry, Rufus Wainwright, and Young’s longtime friend and former bandmate Stephen Stills. All proceeds from the evening supported Autism Speaks, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research and raising awareness about autism.
Young opened his set with the live debut of “Let’s Roll Again,” a song featured on his forthcoming album Talking to the Trees. Filled with sharp social commentary, the track addresses America’s ongoing political strife and critiques corporate greed with lines like:
“Let’s cover our back / Protect our children / Protect our children / Over in China / They’re way ahead / That’s hard to swallow / They’re way ahead / If yer a fascist / Then get a Tesla / If it’s electric, it doesn’t matter.”
Young’s delivery was raw and impassioned, and the song resonated deeply with the audience.
Yet, it was not the new material that stole the show. The most talked-about moment of the night came when Young performed “Ordinary People” — a song he hadn’t played live in 36 years.
Originally recorded during sessions for his 1988 album This Note’s for You, “Ordinary People” had only been performed a handful of times in the late ‘80s. Despite the passage of time, the song’s themes — including gun violence, social inequality, and corporate corruption — remain painfully relevant today. The sprawling 17-minute track was finally given an official release in 2007 on Chrome Dreams II, and seeing it brought to life onstage after so many years was a stirring experience for fans.
What Else Happened During Neil Young’s Set at Light Up the Blues?
Stephen Stills joined Young for a powerful finale, teaming up on “Human Highway” and the anthemic “Rockin’ in the Free World.” The two rock legends, once bandmates in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, traded searing guitar solos and energized the crowd with a passionate chant of “Take America back!” as they closed the night.
Looking ahead, Young’s next appearance is set for May 23, where he will perform a solo acoustic set at another charity event in Lakefield, Ontario. His upcoming world tour — his first alongside his new backing band, the Chrome Hearts — is scheduled to begin in Sweden in June, followed by a U.S. leg starting in August.