Where – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, San Diego, California (holds 4,280).
When – Opening night, April 24, 2024.
Set List – 1. Cortez the Killer; 2. Cinnamon Girl; 3. Scattered; 4. Don’t Cry No Tears; 5. Down by the River; 6. The Losing End; 7. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere; 8. Powderfinger; 9. Love and Only Love; 10. Comes A Time; 11. Heart of Gold; 12. Human Highway; 13. Don’t Be Denied; 14. Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) (encore).
The Band
Neil Young (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, harmonica)
Ralph Molina (drums)
Billy Talbot (bass, vocals)
Micah Nelson (guitar and vocals) – newest member, Willie Nelson’s son
Song Comments
Cortez the Killer was a mesmerizing 15-minute-long version with the addition of the newly restored missing verses that did not appear on the album Zuma. A rockin’ Cinnamon Girl and an old nugget, Scattered, were among a lot of the songs that were off of the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. There were acoustic and electric guitars – soft to rock n roll. Neil Young still has that voice that has not aged – and his guitar playing and Crazy Horse are as good as ever.
The Fans & the Crowd
It was fun for me to watch the fans too. Everyone was moving as one. Dancing, singing — the mesmerizing look in their eyes as they fixated on the stage. Any of their life’s problems are left behind at the concert. Neil kept reminding the crowd, “What’s your favorite planet?” and he got in response a booming “Earth!” — always pushing environmental concerns along with the music.
San Diego
What a great place he picked. The theater was well laid out. I could see Daryl scurrying around helping to make the show. I call it Dogtown, a lot of dog people here and facilities for them. People would have water bowls out on the sidewalk. If you ever go there, the “Beach House” on Cape May Drive is a B&B 3-bedroom home – a block from the beach. We paid $1,200 for a week’s stay. The tour shuttle (off and on) was great.
The Past
Neil Young mentioned David Briggs, his producer and friend that had passed. Neil has done this before; for example, at the last concert of the Coastal Tour, a sign was put up saying “Mazzeo” in honor of the late artist James Mazzeo, who worked on two of Neil’s records, Zuma and Greendale. Others were mentioned too on NYA, musicians and friends that were a part of his musical journey.
Tickets
Tickets for this tour cannot be resold for profit, they can only be sold at face value on the Ticketmaster website. I did not see a single scalper out there at the show. Tickets were reasonable starting at $60.00 in the back of the venue. The venue was small (4,280) so even the ones in the back were not “nose bleeders.” Going forward towards the stage, prices went up. I paid $250 but was close to the stage. Neil tries to treat his fans fairly.
Influence
Influence with him comes in many forms, music, environmental, social, news and more. I was riding on the shuttle for tourists seeing the sights. There was a group of high school seniors on a field trip from Imperial Valley CA. I started talking with them and they asked me what brought me to San Diego. I said to see Neil Young and Crazy Horse. “Who’s that?” they responded. I said, “At every concert he puts on he does have a message for you.” “What’s that?” I said, “What is your favorite planet?” Out came, “Mars – the Moon – Uranus – Saturn.” I said, “What about Earth?” They said, “Yeah that’s right,” and one said, “I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.” I told them, “Well, tell others at your school.”
For me, the Bridge School was an influence. Pegi Young and her band were in Chico playing a show at the Women’s Culture Club. Spooner Oldman was there too as part of the band. I saw the banner of the Bridge School on the wall behind her. Pegi had started it and I wanted to do something similar. So I started an annual music fundraising event for the Torres Homeless Shelter in Chico that is called Blues & Brews. Funds have been raised to facilitate dogs and cats with a dog park, kennels and a veterinarian.
You‘re invited, Mr. Young – the next concert is August 21, 2025. Of course we’d love to have you. Your name is so big you could be stampeded, so maybe you could show up as Bernard Shakey and the Shakers, lol.
The Surprise
Neil gave as a gift a free copy of his album “Fu##in’ Up” to Love Earth Tour ticketholders. I’ve never seen or heard of that being done by anyone else before. Included were two pieces of artwork by James Mazzeo. I really like the one with pairs of people and animals standing on heart shapes with the Zuma bird. It reminds me of the night James gave me some advice about my son, who was hooked on heroin. He said, “Never give up on him.” I agreed, and he is alive today, running Narcotics Anonymous meetings, after surviving many close calls. James showed compassion which will never be forgotten.
The record Fu##in’ Up is a great road record – following the white lines and the energy and drive. I just hope I don’t get a speeding ticket listening to it, lol.
Jerry the Bus Driver
On the second night, April 25, after the show, I had the pleasure to meet the jovial man who drives for Neil and Daryl, Jerry Borden, with his long silver locks and beard. It was a wonderful surprise for me and the group of friends I was with. With me at the time was Judy Greenberg, Bob Baracani and Andy Green, who traveled all the way from western Australia to see some shows on this tour. Judy Greenberg is friends with Jerry and was overjoyed when Jerry jumped out of the bus to say hello when he spotted her passing by after the show ended. I could imagine him driving down the “white lines” headed to the next venue, with a big smile on his face.
Closing
For me and my girlfriend and lifelong friend Shari Thomforde, this was another great memory of another great Neil Young show. Thank you, Neil, the band and staff for working to make it all happen. If you’re a fan, this is a “must-see” show.
Micah Nelson, Billy Talbot and Neil Young, San Diego, California, April 24, 2024. Photo by Shari Thomforde.
Shari Thomforde with ‘”the good lookin’ in her eyes,” at the show on the Love Earth Tour, April 24, 2024.
Jerry Borden at the helm of Neil’s touring bus “Phoenix,” San Diego, California, April 25, 2024.
Jerry Borden, Perry Johnson and Judy Greenberg, San Diego, California, April 25, 2024. Photo by Bob Baracani.
Perry Johnson, Andy Green and Bob Baracani, San Diego, April 24, 2024. Photo by Laura Bostwick.