Let's Hear It For All The Alcoholics Out There
Neil Young
Sydney Entertainment Centre
January 24, 2009
Myer Music Bowl
January 28, 2009
It was a fluke that my visit back home happened to coincide with Neil Young's Australian tour, and it still gives me great amusement to think that I had to come all the way back home to see him, especially since he did several shows late last year in the U.S. Saturday night's show at the colossal Sydney Entertainment Centre was full of all sorts of different people, from middle-aged guys who looked as though they could be members of Crazy Horse, to entire families.
Although a far cry from the air-conditioned comfort of the entertainment centre, a similar mix of punters could be found last night at Melbourne's Myer Music Bowl. Being at an outdoor show is always a good leveller where, no matter whether you're in the reserved seating section or out on the lawn, there's little respite from the blistering heat. To his credit, even under the glare of the enormous stage lights, Neil and his band never looked particularly troubled by the stifling conditions. Young ditched the jeans, shirt and jacket that he's been sporting during his Big Day Out shows in favour of shirt and shorts.
If you're looking for a proper rundown of events, go to Kylie Northover's nifty review on last night's Melbourne show. As for me, who was simply too overwhelmed by (to paraphrase Bek) being in the presence of such greatness, it's hard to come up with anything objective. That said, Neil Young is a man of few words, seldom interacting with the adoring crowd, apart from the occasional, "How're you doin'?" and introducing the members of his Electric Band. Towards the end of his Melbourne show, he did go to the trouble of goading the crowd into yelling out for another encore (which was unsuccessful anyway). Perhaps fittingly, he lets his music do the talking instead.
There was little difference between the sets from Sydney and Melbourne, with a pretty even mix of old-school guitar-heavy rock with some gentler folk. I got the impression that members of the Sydney crowd were hoping to hear Neil crank out plenty of numbers featuring lots more guitar histrionics, with one punter yelling out, "More rock n' roll!" Fortunately someone else yelled back, "Play what you want, Neil!"
During the night you really had to marvel at how some numbers had been written nearly forty years ago, and still pack a punch now. Each show kicked off with the mighty Love And Only Love, quickly followed up by big hits like Cinnamon Girl, and Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. Amongst the highlights were the epic Cortez The Killer, which showed off Young's very physical way of playing guitar, and Rockin' In The Free World, the latter finishing off the main set. Alone on the stage, Neil had the crowd transfixed with The Needle And The Damage Done - so much more powerful when it's him singing it in front of you. One thing you notice watching Neil is how tight he and his band are, playing off one another, each completely absorbed in the music. Although you find it hard to take your eyes off Young, you still come away with a good appreciation of how good a band he's assembled to tour and record with.
Each show closed with The Beatles' A Day In The Life, resulting in most of the strings of Young's guitar breaking, and him contorting himself over it, playing it with the broken strings, creating a massive wall of noise and bringing the crowd to its feet.
I've been paid out on numerous occasions for going to see the same performer multiple times. On each occasion, it's been with little hesitation. Sometimes you just don't know when you'll get your next opportunity.
Love And Only Love
Sea Change
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Spirit Road
Cortez The Killer
Cinnamon Girl
Unknown Legend
O Mother Earth
Light A Candle
Needle And The Damage Done
Four Strong Winds
Words
One Of These Days
Get Back To The Country
Just Singing a Song
Rockin' In The Free World
-------
A Day In The Life
Sydney Entertainment Centre
January 24, 2009
Myer Music Bowl
January 28, 2009
It was a fluke that my visit back home happened to coincide with Neil Young's Australian tour, and it still gives me great amusement to think that I had to come all the way back home to see him, especially since he did several shows late last year in the U.S. Saturday night's show at the colossal Sydney Entertainment Centre was full of all sorts of different people, from middle-aged guys who looked as though they could be members of Crazy Horse, to entire families.
Although a far cry from the air-conditioned comfort of the entertainment centre, a similar mix of punters could be found last night at Melbourne's Myer Music Bowl. Being at an outdoor show is always a good leveller where, no matter whether you're in the reserved seating section or out on the lawn, there's little respite from the blistering heat. To his credit, even under the glare of the enormous stage lights, Neil and his band never looked particularly troubled by the stifling conditions. Young ditched the jeans, shirt and jacket that he's been sporting during his Big Day Out shows in favour of shirt and shorts.
If you're looking for a proper rundown of events, go to Kylie Northover's nifty review on last night's Melbourne show. As for me, who was simply too overwhelmed by (to paraphrase Bek) being in the presence of such greatness, it's hard to come up with anything objective. That said, Neil Young is a man of few words, seldom interacting with the adoring crowd, apart from the occasional, "How're you doin'?" and introducing the members of his Electric Band. Towards the end of his Melbourne show, he did go to the trouble of goading the crowd into yelling out for another encore (which was unsuccessful anyway). Perhaps fittingly, he lets his music do the talking instead.
There was little difference between the sets from Sydney and Melbourne, with a pretty even mix of old-school guitar-heavy rock with some gentler folk. I got the impression that members of the Sydney crowd were hoping to hear Neil crank out plenty of numbers featuring lots more guitar histrionics, with one punter yelling out, "More rock n' roll!" Fortunately someone else yelled back, "Play what you want, Neil!"
During the night you really had to marvel at how some numbers had been written nearly forty years ago, and still pack a punch now. Each show kicked off with the mighty Love And Only Love, quickly followed up by big hits like Cinnamon Girl, and Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. Amongst the highlights were the epic Cortez The Killer, which showed off Young's very physical way of playing guitar, and Rockin' In The Free World, the latter finishing off the main set. Alone on the stage, Neil had the crowd transfixed with The Needle And The Damage Done - so much more powerful when it's him singing it in front of you. One thing you notice watching Neil is how tight he and his band are, playing off one another, each completely absorbed in the music. Although you find it hard to take your eyes off Young, you still come away with a good appreciation of how good a band he's assembled to tour and record with.
Each show closed with The Beatles' A Day In The Life, resulting in most of the strings of Young's guitar breaking, and him contorting himself over it, playing it with the broken strings, creating a massive wall of noise and bringing the crowd to its feet.
I've been paid out on numerous occasions for going to see the same performer multiple times. On each occasion, it's been with little hesitation. Sometimes you just don't know when you'll get your next opportunity.
Love And Only Love
Sea Change
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Spirit Road
Cortez The Killer
Cinnamon Girl
Unknown Legend
O Mother Earth
Light A Candle
Needle And The Damage Done
Four Strong Winds
Words
One Of These Days
Get Back To The Country
Just Singing a Song
Rockin' In The Free World
-------
A Day In The Life
posted by yossarian | 2:57 PM
4 Comments:
Nice review yossarian. Totally agree with seeing performers multiple times. Two shows are never the same, whether it be a couple of songs, crowd reaction or atmosphere. How was the sound at the music bowl?
thanks jonno! yeah, i agree that two shows are never identical. the sound at the music bowl was great, at least from where i was. one thing that did surprise me was that there were no big screens at the sides of the stage, seeing as most folks were out on the lawn area. i have a hunch they probably didn't mind anyway.
M pointed out today that you've been overseas for two years or so. It certainly hasn't felt that long from my perspective. It'll be great to have you back this year.
And Happy Easter! :)
thanks kaz! hope your easter is full of chocolate bunnies too :-)
am also trying to work out where the time has gone...hard to believe it's been that long, even though there are some weeks that seem to take forever! hope you're doing great and feeling chipper - will see you in the not too distant future ;p
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