All photos by me
Well THAT was a much nicer experience than I had on Saturday (see my previous post for that). I guess someone listened to all the bitching, whether mine or someone else's, because this time, there was no 4km lineup to get in: I got off the bus pretty much at the same time as I did on Saturday -- since I'd had to work -- but bam, as soon as I arrived at the Shadbolt, I was pretty much at the gates, no lineup, maybe a two minute wait for a bag check and such. I gather they opened fifteen minutes earlier, but they also must have been a damn sight more efficient, because there wasn't even a band playing as I walked onto the grounds this time -- on Saturday, things were well underway by the time we got in, which messed us up in a few ways and put a bad spin on my wife's experience, which definitely affected mine: by the time she got food -- which she NEEDED; there are medical things afoot that meant it wasn't optional -- Neil was three songs in and she had to find me in the crowd (I had staked out a space).It put all sorts of stresses on us which could have been avoided if the entry had been smoother. We surmounted those to some extent -- I had to reach deep into my reserves of love and creativity to do that, because she was having a Real Bad Time -- but it was not an experience I'd ever risk repeating, you know, especially when I'm paying for the tickets!
Mind you, there were still long lineups for food on Monday, but I was flying solo and wasn't planning to eat there last night, anyhow. I scoped them out regardless, then gave up, so I could get up front. This proved to be the correct choice, because I totally enjoyed myself, securing a prime spot close to the stage and deep-breathing the secondhand weedsmoke from the crowd (I don't smoke anymore because of my history with tongue cancer but sometimes I inhale the ambience, you know?). When I wasn't futzing with my phone, I danced in place the whole night with my plastic bag with my headphones and jacket tucked between my feet... It was a marvelous night, especially when compared to Saturday.
Speaking "futzing with my phone" there was some girl facetiming her father, I guess it was -- I hope it wasn't her boyfriend -- standing directly in front of me for the whole of "Powderfinger." He was enjoying it so much that it was impossible to bring any serious resentment to the fore: I even grinned over my shoulder at him a couple times. It's kinda weird, how many phones were out at points, but mine was out too, so... okay!
After the show, I didn't stick around AFTER to see if the security were still being so cold to people -- why would I want to experience THAT again? -- but within fifteen minutes of the closing "Roll Another Number," I was on a bus headed for Metrotown, because I'd planned ahead and left the front-of-stage area during the break between "Like a Hurricane" -- complete with a swinging owl organ for Micah -- and "Old Man," the second-to-last song, and was ready to roll when the show ended. Turns out a Neil Young outdoor concert is much nicer experience without a shitshow to get in and an impersonal herding to get out!
And it was a magnificent show, with the big difference that this time I was right up front to see what I could only hear the other night. I missed sharing "Harvest Moon" with Erika on the second night, but it sure was fun to really SEE Neil this time. Again, which was due to the smooth entry: because I got in before things started, I could get right down in front. It made ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
As you may have noted, there a couple of setlist changes between nights: on Monday, there was no "Southern Man," early on, and (unless I missed something) no "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," the two of which got swapped out for "Like a Hurricane" near the end. "Big Crime" was also a fair bit shorter, I think (though still great! I like that Neil has included some topical new stuff). I think everything else was the same, though "Sun Green" ran eleven minutes long, which I think was longer than the other day. Plus Neil explained a bit more about the "Silver Eagle" song, which was inspired by a bus driver saying to him, "Why don't you write a song about a bus?"
I kind of disparaged that song in my previous post, but I liked it better for having heard that story. I mean, it's still basically "This Land is Your Land" with new lyrics, but now that I knew what Neil was singing about, I cared more. Thanks for the story, Neil! (It was the only song he explained, at times crankily having to silence people idiotically shouting out his name while he was trying to tell us about it).
I even got to see the opening acts on Monday, including Astrid Young, Neil's half-sister -- who I got no worthwhile photos of, sorry -- and Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, who testified about tearing apart oil refineries with our bare hands, riffed on rhymes involving "strange" and "change," almost like he knew "Mr. Soul" would be in the setlist, and evoked the "fabulous unknown" a few times. I shot a bit of that, but I didn't fully understand what was being said. Something about apocalyptic social and environmental change? It was consistently interesting and engaging. I had seen the Reverend Billy hanging out on the grounds, just standing there, and wondered who he was -- who is the dude in the white suit with the Jim Jarmusch hairdo?
Asked and answered.
After that, there was an Indigenous presentation, not so much a land dedication as a protest against the pipeline being laid in Prince Rupert, which seemed worth putting on video. But I shot all of that, so I got no photos of it... I could do a screengrab or something but shit, just watch the vid!
I have nothing further to add, really, but some photos. It was a great night. Fourth time I've seen Neil Young, if you count Saturday (where I couldn't really see him at all). I've seen "Powderfinger," "Hey Hey My My," and "Mr. Soul" every single time I've seen him and count myself lucky for it. Still haven't heard him do "Cortez the Killer" live, but instead, I got a new favourite Crazy Horse song of the moment, "Sun Green" ("Be the Rain" is a gooder too). I have completely neglected Greendale and bought a Return to Greendale on Sunday at Neptoon to amend that (the improved live version of that album, still in print, including in a deluxe box set which I skipped). I dunno why I go for the deep cuts, but my favourite song when I caught him at Rogers Arena some ten years ago was the version of "Fuckin' Up" they did; my favourite song when I caught him at Fuji Rock was the completely unexpected "Piece of Crap" (!!!!); and great as "Powderfinger" is, the Greendale stuff was the peak for me both nights, especially that clever little megaphone gadget.
I guess if you're a "greatest hits" type you might not have been satisfied, but Neil Young is just not a greatest hits guy, folks; that's the wrong way to listen to him! You need to buy at least thirty of his albums, to start with. You need to attend his shows hoping he's gonna whip out "Hitchhiker" or something completely out of the blue like that. Hell, I'm impressed that he actually found the ONE MAJOR CRAZY HORSE ALBUM I DON'T KNOW AT ALL and taught me to love it. I would see Neil Young again, if I ever am so lucky to get the chance.
Mind you, I will still think twice about it if it was at Deer Lake -- they still kind of FUCKED UP OUR NIGHT on Saturday, and I'm going to remember that, especially if it's a show I want to take my wife to (and have to pay for!) -- but last night was pretty amazing, a much nicer experience, and did a lot to make up for things.
And thank you, Mr. Young, for still doing what you do. It was a privilege and an honour.
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