Along with his band Crazy Horse, Neil Young recently performed a private concert featuring their 1990 album ‘Ragged Glory.’ Held on November 4 at The Rivoli in Toronto, the show was organized for the 50th birthday celebration of Canada Goose CEO Dani Reiss.
The venue was filled to its 200-person capacity for this show, and the exclusive performance for the billionaire marked only the second instance in Young’s career where he played a complete classic album live. The first was with albums ‘Tonight’s The Night’ and ‘Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere’ at the Roxy.
Details of the Special Event
Fan reports from the Neil Young fan site Thrasher’s Wheat indicate that the setlist included almost the entire ‘Ragged Glory’ album, excluding only the song ‘Mother Earth.’ The performance concluded with renditions of ‘Cinnamon Girl’ and ‘Rockin’ In The Free World.’
What added to the rarity of the evening was the performances of songs’ White Line,’ ‘Over and Over,’ and ‘Farmer John,’ which had not been performed with Crazy Horse since 1976 and 2012. The event also featured a performance by the Canadian rock band the Arkells, with Young playing before them.
Why Young May Face Backlash For This Show?
While Young’s decision to perform at a private event might raise eyebrows, mainly due to his stance against commercialism in music, this isn’t his first such performance.
In 2016, he performed at a private event in Paris for Carmignac CEO Édouard Carmignac. It’s important to note that Young’s song ‘This Note’s For You’ criticizes the commercialization of music, a principle he has generally adhered to, even after selling 50% of his song catalog rights in January 2021 to Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited.
The event also draws attention due to Canada Goose’s past controversy with PETA over the use of coyote fur in their jackets, a practice they ceased in 2021. CEO Dani Reiss openly disagreed with PETA’s stance, saying the company was committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing.
Neil Young’s Plans For A New Tour
Young, who took a three-year break from touring due to COVID concerns, announced plans for a ‘Love Earth’ tour, focusing on outdoor venues. The announcement read:
“I hope you and your families are doing well at this time. With the world marred in wars, it’s a good time to think of family and those you love, trying to make their days a little better.
I am looking forward to playing some this summer. We are looking at possible places for our Love Earth tour.”
Whether he will be solo or joined by Crazy Horse or Promise of the Real remains to be seen.
