Neil Young Cancels Hollywood Bowl Concert Along With Entire Tour
Neil Young has announced the cancellation of the remaining dates on his tour with his longtime backing group, Crazy Horse, due to illness affecting some of the band members. The cancellations include seven Canadian shows scheduled for July and three U.S. shows set for late September, including a highly anticipated performance at the Hollywood Bowl.
In a statement on his website, Young revealed that the band members fell ill after their last performance on May 22 at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan. Although he did not specify which members were affected or the nature of the illness, the impact has been significant enough to halt the tour.
“The Love Earth Tour has been a great experience for us so far,” Young’s message to fans began. “GREAT AUDIENCES AND MUSIC. WE HAVE HAD A BLAST!”
He continued, “When a couple of us got sick after Detroit’s Pine Knob, we had to stop. We are still not fully recovered, so sadly our great tour will have a big unplanned break. We will try to play some of the dates we miss as time passes when we are ready to rock again! We know many of you made travel plans and we apologize for the inconvenience. Thanks for your understanding and patience.”
Young concluded, “Health is #1…. We want to stay and do more shows and more albums for you…. and for us…. With love and thanks to all of you from Crazy Horse….. Neil, Micah, Ralph, and Billy… Love Earth.”
The announcement has left fans disappointed, especially those who had made travel plans to attend the concerts. The Hollywood Bowl’s official website now shows the venue as being dark on the date of Young’s scheduled performance, and the event page leads to an error message. Similarly, the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California, which was set to feature Young as a headliner, now lists “TBA” in his slot. A festival representative confirmed they are seeking a replacement.
A representative for the Ohana Fest expressed their regret on social media, stating, “We are sad to announce that Neil Young with Crazy Horse will no longer be performing at Ohana Festival 2024. Please stay tuned for a lineup update coming as soon as possible; in the meantime, we are wishing the band a speedy recovery.” The Bourbon & Beyond Festival in Kentucky posted a similar message, advising fans to “stay tuned for a replacement announcement.”
Despite the tour’s abrupt halt, fans can look forward to the release of Young’s new album, “Early Daze,” on Friday. The album is a collection of previously unreleased recordings made with Crazy Horse in 1969, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the band’s early days.
The tour, dubbed “The Love Earth Tour,” had been a significant event for both the band and their fans. The performances were well-received, with Young and Crazy Horse delivering powerful shows that resonated with audiences. The sudden cancellation has undoubtedly left a void, but the health and well-being of the band members take precedence.
Young’s statement hinted at the possibility of rescheduling some of the missed dates once the band is ready to perform again. However, there are no firm details on this yet. A representative for Young mentioned that they are awaiting further information regarding ticket refunds or rescheduling options for ticketholders.
As of now, Ticketmaster still lists tickets for the Hollywood Bowl show, but the event’s disappearance from multiple pages on the Bowl’s website suggests that it has been officially canceled. The Hollywood Bowl concert was nearly sold out, with only a few seats remaining in the very back, indicating strong demand for Young’s performance.
The news of the tour’s cancellation has been met with an outpouring of support from fans, who have expressed their understanding and well-wishes for the band’s recovery. The bond between Young, Crazy Horse, and their fans remains strong, with many looking forward to the day when the band can return to the stage.
In the meantime, “Early Daze” offers a silver lining for fans eager to hear more from Young and Crazy Horse. The album’s release is highly anticipated, providing a treasure trove of music that captures the essence of the band’s early years.
Neil Young’s decision to prioritize health over the continuation of the tour underscores the importance of well-being in the demanding world of music. While the cancellations are disappointing, they serve as a reminder that the health of the artists is paramount.
As fans await further updates, the hope remains that Young and Crazy Horse will soon be back on stage, ready to deliver the electrifying performances they are known for. Until then, “Early Daze” will serve as a reminder of the band’s enduring legacy and the timeless music they continue to create.
Source: Variety, AP News
