Neil Young hits the road again with West Coast solo acoustic concert tour this summer
Neil Young is hitting the road along the west coast this summer – and apparently breaking out some little-heard classics.
The limited run of solo shows along the west coast begins July 1 with four consecutive shows in Los Angeles, a press release revealed Friday. Other stops include San Diego, then dates in Oregon and Washington, before ending in Napa, California. Singer-songwriter Chris Pierce will be a special guest during the Coastal Tour.
These will be Young's first series of live performances since before the COVID-19 pandemic. He skipped Farm Aid 2022, but in April he did perform at the Light up the Blues event in Los Angeles, a benefit for Autism Speaks held by former bandmate Stephen Stills, and at Willie Nelson's 90th birthday concert.
Young voiced hesitation to return to live shows amid the pandemic to USA TODAY in December 2021, while speaking on the release of the album "Barn" from him and Crazy Horse: "There is no post-COVID right now. We've got a whole 'welcome back' thing," Young said, who added he had no touring plans at the time. "Give me a break. This is misinformation. It is totally wrong. We are not over this. We're not anywhere near over it."
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Most of the songs Young plans to play – about 80% – will be songs he has recorded but not played live, he told fans during a Zoom call Thursday with Thrasher's Wheat, an unofficial Young fan and news site.
Tickets go on sale starting Wednesday, June 14 at 10 a.m. local time at Ticketmaster and other usual outlets. Members of the Neil Young Archives can attempt to get tickets during a presale period starting Monday, June 12.
Neil Young tour dates
Saturday, July 1: Los Angeles, CA – The Ford
Sunday, July 2: Los Angeles, CA – The Ford
Tuesday, July 4: Los Angeles, CA – The Ford
Wednesday, July 5: Los Angeles, CA – The Ford
Friday, July 7: Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
Saturday July 8: Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Tuesday, July 11: San Diego, CA – The Shell
Thursday July 13: Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
Saturday, July 15: Berkeley, CA – The Greek
Monday, July 17: Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Tuesday, July 18: Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Thursday, July 20: Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
Sunday, July 23: Napa, CA – Oxbow RiverStage
Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @mikesnider.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Neil Young announces West Coast concert tour beginning July 1
