5 July 2025

No retirement time whatsoever for 79-year-old rock titan NEIL YOUNG.
Only health problems would slow down his 24/7 appetite for making and
playing music.

Three weeks ago he launched his first longplayer named
Talkin To The Trees with his new band The Chrome Hearts.

TUTV said: “Talkin To The Trees brings Young‘s 1975 masterwork Tonight’s The Night
instantly to mind, sonically that is. Raw and rough, as if the LP was recorded live in one
take, in a garage with lots of echo and plenty of ramshackle guitars, buzzing electricity
and Young‘s characteristic, ardent vocals. Very familiar, very entertaining.

It’s pure Young, musically and thematically, wondering about the world’s future, warning
for environmental pollution dramas, difficult times to come for our children, and the need
of a big positive change. At 79, he’s still socially and climate concerned as he was in his
prime. At 79, he still delivers mind-and-ear pleasing records.”

.
Last April, he started a new world tour which brought him and his compadres in
Brussels last Monday where they played a 2-hour set in front of our King’s Palace.
A nice, historic setting for rock ‘n’ roll.

He started just by himself on acoustic guitar and harmonica with a gripping rendition
of Sugar Mountain. Immediately after, the Chrome Hearts joined in. Amps up, all burners
on, temperature up (and we already had a heatwave night).

Now and then Young did it solo again, like with the mournful classic The Needle And
The Damage Done. But most of the time it was vintage rock ‘n’ Young roll commotion
with extensive guitar jams, loud enough to shake up the whole city.

Three generations of zealous fans came out to see/here the (old) man who still stirs, vivifies, and buoys up while going through a set of golden oldies. And that was the only low of the night. No songs from the new LP, although it features some firework rippers such as Dark Mirage, Let’s Roll Again, and Big Change, actually three ironclad crackerjacks that reflect Young‘s worries for the chaotic times we live in.

All in all, Young‘s musical joie de vivre and endless performing
hunger still inspire and entertain The magic of it stayed with me
for several days after. Hats off to an eternal legend.

SETLIST

Sugar Mountain
Be the Rain
Cinnamon Girl
Fuckin’ Up
When You Dance, I Can Really Love
Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)
The Needle and the Damage Done
Harvest Moon
Looking Forward
Sun Green
Love and Only Love
Like a Hurricane
Name of Love
Old Man

Rockin’ in the Free World

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(Live photos by Turn Up The Volume)