Los Angeles’ famed Roxy Theater officially opened its doors on September 20th, 1973, with a performance by Neil Young and his band the Santa Monica Flyers. Fifty years to the date later, Young was back on stage at the Roxy, this time with Crazy Horse, in tow. What’s more, for the first time in his illustrious career, he performed two albums live and in their entirety: 1975’s Tonight’s the Night and 1969’s Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere.
In addition to celebrating 50 years of the Roxy, the gig was a benefit show raising money for the Painted Turtle and Bridge School. Young and company tore through some of their live staples like “Cinnamon Girl,” but also dug up deeper cuts like “Borrowed Tune,” “Lookout Joe,” and “Tired Eyes,” which he hadn’t performed since they were released in ’73. Young also played the 1969 song “Round and Round (It Won’t Be Long)” for the first time ever.
The evening also marked one of Young’s first performances in four years, as he’s been hesitant to perform live since the pandemic began. Luckily for everyone involved, he made this show one to remember. Watch some fan-made videos of it below.
In November, Young will reissue his 1973 live album Time Fades Away for its 50th anniversary. Last month, he released Chrome Dreams, a “lost album” from 1977. This weekend, he’ll appear alongside Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp for the latest iteration of Farm Aid, which you can grab tickets for here.
Neil Young and Crazy Horse Setlist:
Tonight’s the Night
Speakin’ Out
World on a String
Borrowed Tune
Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown
Mellow My Mind
Roll Another Number (For the Road)
Albuquerque
New Mama
Lookout Joe
Tired Eyes
Tonight’s the Night
Cinnamon Girl
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Round and Round (It Won’t Be Long)
Down by the River
The Losing End
Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets)
Cowgirl In The Sand