Neil Young announces return to the stage after cancelling tour amid health concerns
After Neil Young and his backing band, Crazy Horse, cancelled their planned engagements in North America for this summer due to health reasons, Young has now announced he will return to the stage in September.
Young is one of the artists confirmed to perform at Farm Aid, set to take place on September 21st in Saratoga Springs, New York. Other acts who are set to appear at the annual bash, which was founded in 1985, include John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, Lukas Nelson with the Travelin’ McCourys, Charley Crockett, Joy Oladokun, Southern Avenue, Cassandra Lewis, Jesse Welles and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Nightsweats.
The Canadian singer-songwriter has performed at every Farm Aid with the exceptions of 2021 and 2022, therefore his performance is not a major surprise. However, after he cancelled tour dates last month, it was uncertain whether Young would be able to make the event.
On the line-up, Young isn’t listed to perform with Crazy Horse, which suggests the reason for the tour cancellation is related to the band rather than to him. Young previously said “a couple of us” had been stricken with illness for a significant period, which is why they had emptied their calendar.
Young and Crazy Horse had seven Canadian shows scheduled for July, which have been cancelled, as were three US shows penned in for late September at the Hollywood Bowl. Appearances at Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Festival in Southern California and Kentucky’s Bourbon & Beyond Festival were also shelved.
Sharing a statement on his website on June 26th, Young revealed that members of the band were taken ill sometime after their last show on May 22nd at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan.
The singer-songwriter revealed: “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 added: “Health is # 1…. We want to stay and do more shows and more albums for you…. and for for us…. With love and thanks to all of you from Crazy Horse….. Neil, Micah, Ralph and Billy… Love Earth.”
Thankfully, he’s set to return to performing, and Willie Nelson is excited for another Farm Aid event, which he co-founded almost 40 years ago. He said in a statement: “We’re energized to be back in New York. The farmers here have always found ways to innovate and contribute to their communities, even as they deal with uncertainties, extreme weather and policies that favor corporations over people. Farmers need us to stand with them as they work to grow our future.”
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