Neil Young, the legendary Canadian rocker whose career has spanned more than six decades, is showing no signs of slowing down as he approaches his 80th birthday. This September, Young is not only touring with his new band, the Chrome Hearts, but also preparing to headline the milestone 40th annual Farm Aid festival alongside longtime friends and collaborators. For fans in Canada and the United States, the month is shaping up to be a celebration of both Young’s storied past and his ever-evolving musical journey.
Young’s latest album, Talkin’ To The Trees, released on June 13, 2025, marks his 49th studio effort and the first to feature backing from the Chrome Hearts. This new group, while fresh in name, is composed largely of familiar faces: guitarist Micah Nelson (son of Willie Nelson), bassist Corey McCormick, and drummer Anthony LoGerfro—each a veteran from Young’s previous ensemble, Promise of the Real. Rounding out the band is organist Spooner Oldham, a collaborator since Young’s 1992 record Harvest Moon and a member of the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, whose credits include work with Aretha Franklin and Percy Sledge (as reported by the Vancouver Sun).
The Chrome Hearts have already demonstrated their chemistry on stage, supporting Young through a setlist that weaves together new material, deep cuts, and timeless classics from every era of his career. At a recent concert at Chateau Ste. Michelle winery in Woodinville, Washington, Young and the band delivered a 103-minute set that included everything from folk gems like “Ambulance Blues” to rousing protest anthems such as “Be the Rain” and “Ohio.” According to the Seattle Times, Young’s “endearingly gravelly voice lent requisite grit to a marching ‘Ohio,’ its opening notes perking up an already rapt crowd under a pale-yellow moon.”
Political commentary has long been a hallmark of Young’s performances, and the current tour is no exception. Songs like “Big Crime,” with its pointed lyrics—“Got to get the fascists out / Got to clean the White House out”—resonate loudly in today’s charged climate, drawing passionate responses from audiences. Yet, the concerts also offer moments of intimacy and nostalgia, with tracks like “Harvest Moon” and “Old Man” prompting singalongs and quiet reflection.
Fans in Burnaby, British Columbia, are especially fortunate this year, as Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts are set to perform two highly anticipated shows at Deer Lake Park on September 6 and 8, 2025. The venue, a local park most days, transforms into a festival lawn for the occasion, albeit with some unique quirks: there’s no reserved seating, and attendees are advised to bring blankets or legless camping chairs instead of lawn chairs. Gates open at 6 p.m., with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. each night, rain or shine (Global News).
Tickets for these concerts have been in high demand. While the September 8 show has already sold out, some tickets remain for September 6, priced at $120 via Ticketmaster, with resale options fetching between $150 and $170. Those planning to attend should note venue restrictions: bags must be small or clear, hydration packs are allowed under strict conditions, and only soft plastic water bottles (up to 1L) are permitted. No outside food is allowed, but a variety of food trucks will be on site, offering everything from kettle corn and ice cream to vegan options. For those arriving by car, onsite parking is available but limited, and Deer Lake Avenue will be closed to traffic during show hours. Multiple transit routes provide alternatives, and cycling fans will find racks near the East Gate entrance.
Opening for Young in Burnaby is Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, a New York City-based performance art group known for their environmentalist and anti-consumerist message. Singer Astrid Young, Neil’s half-sister, will also take the stage as an opener for the Canadian dates. These additions promise to set an engaging and thought-provoking tone for the evenings.
For fans unable to make it to the live shows, there’s a silver lining: performances can be streamed from home via VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now available in Canada, offering both live and archived concerts at a discount for new users. This digital access ensures that the energy and activism of Young’s concerts reach audiences far beyond the festival lawn.
As the Burnaby concerts wrap up, Young will soon join Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), and Margo Price for Farm Aid 40, set for September 20 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. This year’s festival, the first to be held in Minneapolis, is headlined by the organization’s founding board members and will feature additional performances by Wynonna Judd, Kenny Chesney, Steve Earle, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, and more. According to CNN, Farm Aid has raised more than $85 million since 1985 to support family farmers and the Good Food Movement, providing over $25 million in grants to grassroots organizations.
Farm Aid 40 is not just a music festival—it’s a rallying cry for sustainable agriculture and local food systems. “This partnership (with CNN) is critical to elevating the role of family farmers to their rightful place as essential for all of us and showcasing the extraordinary artists who have generously shared their voices of support for 40 years,” Farm Aid co-director Jennifer Fahy stated in a press release. The festival’s mission is to “change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms,” a cause that resonates deeply with Young and his fellow organizers.
For those who can’t attend Farm Aid 40 in person, there are plenty of ways to tune in. A five-hour portion of the festival will be broadcast live on CNN from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 20, with additional live streaming available on CNN.com and its apps—no cable login required. The full day’s festivities will also air on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse and Dave Matthews Band Radio, while Nugs.net and its associated apps will stream the event for free starting at 11:30 a.m. Tickets for Farm Aid 40 range from $101 to $390 and are available online at farmaid.org.
Neil Young’s continuing influence on the worlds of music and activism is undeniable. With a career that began in Buffalo Springfield, soared with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and has produced 21 gold or platinum albums and singles, Young is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and a member of the Order of Canada. His hits—“Heart of Gold,” “Old Man,” and “Rockin’ in the Free World”—remain anthems for generations. As he takes the stage this September, both in intimate park settings and on the national Farm Aid platform, Young proves that his voice, his message, and his music are as vital as ever.
With new songs, classic protest anthems, and a steadfast commitment to causes close to his heart, Neil Young continues to inspire, challenge, and entertain—reminding fans old and new why his place in rock history is secure, and why his story is far from finished.
