Neil Young’s Love Earth Tour Pairs Iconic Hits with Bold New Messages in Woodinville
Chateau Ste Michelle, Woodinville, WA
09.4.25
Through the hazy summer smoke lingering over the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts brought the heat on September 4th. Fans arrived in droves for the sold-out show as the North American leg of the Love Earth World Tour begins winding down, with just five performances left after this night. The vineyard’s serene surroundings and late-summer air made the perfect backdrop for a performance that felt both intimate and electric.
A veteran performer of over six decades, Young has perfected the art of giving fans exactly what they came for: a night of rock and roll classics, with a sprinkling of newer material to keep things alive and surprising. He opened with “Ambulance Blues,” setting a nostalgic yet commanding tone as the crowd rose to its feet, singing along and swaying to the first notes of the evening. It was a fitting start, immediately transporting the audience through decades of memories scored by Young’s unmistakable sound.
Throughout the night, Young and Chrome Hearts moved seamlessly from heartfelt ballads to fiery guitar-driven jams. Fan favorites like “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” and “Old Man” roared to life, with Young’s weathered voice and blistering guitar solos proving that age hasn’t dulled his edge. “Harvest Moon” took on a literal meaning under the smoke-filtered moon, nearly full and glowing orange above the stage, as couples slow-danced under the night sky. A welcome surprise thrilled fans as the unmistakable “Hey Hey, My My” appeared late in the set—a favorite of many that hadn’t been featured in recent tour stops. The band also offered a taste of newer material, including “Silver Eagle” from their 2025 album Talkin’ to the Trees, weaving fresh tracks into the classics that have defined Young’s storied career.
In one of the evening’s standout moments, Young introduced a piece of personal history: the guitar from his high school years, a Squires Gretsch 6120 he recently tracked down online. He shared the story with a grin, explaining how he bought the instrument back after years apart and painstakingly restored it. When its rich, resonant tone filled the amphitheater, it felt like a bridge to Young’s earliest days as a musician—a reminder that his connection to music has always been deeply personal.
The biggest surprise of the night came when Young performed his newest single, “Big Crime,” a fiery protest anthem with a chorus that repeats, “There’s big crime in D.C. at the White House.” The song’s biting lyrics and unapologetic political edge drew loud cheers from the crowd, who embraced both the message and the man delivering it. For longtime fans, it felt like a return to the outspoken activism that has been a throughline in Young’s career, from his protest songs of the Vietnam era to his more recent critiques of corporate power and political corruption. The audience’s enthusiastic reception of “Big Crime” underscored Young’s ability to channel outrage into art, uniting listeners in a shared sense of purpose.
The set built to an unforgettable climax with the iconic anthem “Rockin’ in the Free World,” a song that has lost none of its urgency over the years. The crowd erupted as the familiar opening chords rang out, voices rising in unison with every verse and chorus. Under the glow of stage lights and a blanket of haze from nearby wildfires, the song’s rebellious spirit felt as alive as ever—a defiant reminder of music’s enduring power to inspire.
As the final notes faded and the band took their bows, Young and Chrome Hearts offered a genuine thank-you to Reverend Billy & The Stop Shopping Choir, who had opened the evening with their signature blend of music and theatrical activism. Their lively, high-energy performance set the tone perfectly, creating a sense of community that carried through the night. Young’s acknowledgment underscored his respect for fellow artists and added a warm, human touch to the evening’s close.
With this stop at Chateau Ste. Michelle, the Love Earth World Tour continues its journey. And while only a handful of shows remain, Young and Chrome Hearts proved their fire is far from fading. This performance wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration of decades of artistry, a testament to rock and roll’s enduring spirit, and a reminder of the bond between artist and audience that has kept fans coming back for more for over sixty years.
Setlist:
Ambulance Blues
Cowgirl in the Sand
Be the Rain
Southern Man
Ohio
Long Walk Home
Big Crime
Silver Eagle
Looking Forward
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Harvest Moon
Mr. Soul
Sun Green
Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)
Name of Love
Old Man
Rockin’ in the Free World
Review by Katie Davis and photos by Sattva Photo
NEIL YOUNG & THE CHROME HEARTS
