Neil Young News: Malahide Castle, Dublin, Ireland Concert Reports: 6/29/08

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Malahide Castle, Dublin, Ireland Concert Reports: 6/29/08

Cover of The Beatles "A Day In The Life"

Thanks David L. for the YouTube upload!!!

Swear I'm not Paul: Live Review: Neil Young and The Frames, Malahide Castle:

"But nothing could have prepared the crowd for the man himself. As soon as a glimpse of his paint-stained white shirt and pants were seen, a huge roar went up in north Dublin. The one and only Neil Young. Kids, cherish this day. He opened with a very long version of ' Love and Only Love' which I felt was a bit of a disappointment. He didn't seem on form, and his solo was a little jarring. 'I've Been Waiting for You' was a vast improvement, but I still wondered would this be a set of songs that only half the crowd knew. However, any fears I had that this would be one of the biggest disappointments of the year totally disappeared when he tore into 'Mr Soul'."

Hey Hey, My My

A somewhat negative review from Thundercrack Playlist: Review: Neil Young Malahide Castle, Dublin 29th June 2008. However, a number of followup comments question whether the reviewer attended the same show?

Seánaí said...

Whoaa!! What gig were you at?? I was just to the left of the sound desk - sound was perfect! way better than the sound at springsteen in the rds (too quiet anyone?). As for the material, i was blown away. i dont know all his material but i wasnt expecting half as many 'hits' as we got. This was one of the best gigs iv ever been at. it was rockin! neil didn't pause for breath from start to finish. as for the extended guitar jams? highlight of my night. brilliant gig. really surprised with this review cus i thought the crowd were going nuts - I was anyway! =o)

From Boss Tracks:

"With the Frames opening Neil actually had something to prove. Neil's current touring band is aptly called the Electric Band with old road buddies Ben Keith and Rick Rosas delivering the cement. The set opened full electric, Neil hacking away at his guitar 'Blackie'. Neil's electric work is not everybody's cup of tea. Its a great big howling and growling monster threatening to stomp all over you. Young never quite got over his taste for noise, he loves letting the beats claw at you. His erratic way of attacking his guitar during solos leave a lot of room for failure, but I must admit that it all came together quite nicely. For a grumpy old man Neil was in quite the chipper mood, even talking to the audience some between songs."

"Oh Lonesome Me" [mp3]

More photos at ShowBiz Ireland - Old Man Neil Young Gets A Vit-Hit....

Neil Young will be performing tonight at Malahide Castle, Dublin, Ireland.

Got a report? Drop a comment below. No registration required.

Check Sugar Mountain for setlist updates. Also, see Grid Chart on Rust Radio.

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40 Comments:

At 6/29/2008 08:24:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Tonights concert by Neil Young was enjoyable but far far too indulgent by Neil. Songs lasting 26 minutes with guitar feedback forming 80% of the song is just not value for money. Still the rain stayed off and he played some good stuff going right back to his earliest albums.
Peter
At 6/29/2008 11:58:00 PM, Malicious Matt said...: With all due respect, 26 minute songs and lots of guitar feedback is what Neil Young does, and has been doing for donkeys years. Any hardcore fan knows that. Its not indulgent, its just how he expresses himself. Personally, I felt privileged to witness his extended solos. His guitar work is magical! Next time, try closing your eyes and just listening, without judging one way or another.
At 6/30/2008 04:10:00 AM, Anonymous said...: it was a fantastic concert, neil was at his best,however the 26min hidden path song was a bit indulgent. Still amazing!
At 6/30/2008 04:25:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Hi, Off to see the Man tonight in Cork. I have a question....was the show format different to what has gone before on this tour? Was there a Neil solo set, followed by Neil and band electric set? Looking at some of the setlists in previouse gigs, hes averaged about 24 songs. I think last night was 16??
At 6/30/2008 04:26:00 AM, hardcore! said...: Agree, as a long time fan - too indulgent. Prefer more songs. Disappointed only one encore. Not value for money. Sorry Neil but last on my list of Irish gigs. Glad I didn't have travel too far, well done to Dart service. Okay something positive - Mr Soul excellent!
At 6/30/2008 04:32:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Going to see him tonight in Cork, sounds like we're going to be rocked big time. Have my compo-collar ready for the morning.
At 6/30/2008 04:42:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Off to see him in the Marquee in Cork aswell, I'm an absolutely huge fan but I'm dreading the 26 minute No Hidden Path. I'm not too into Chrome Dreams II. But I won't complain I never ever thought I'd see Neil Young live, nevermind at my own back door in Cork!
Let's hope he plays Fuckin' Up!
At 6/30/2008 05:27:00 AM, Ronan said...: Absolutely amazing gig. Neil was on top form and really rocked out. The version of Oh Lonesome Me was incredible, but Words was the highlight.

I've heard a lot of the negativity from people leaving the gig. I don't think people were expecting him to play what he did in the style he did. I was and I loved it.

When you have such a huge back catalogue spanning 40 years, and have to pick out 2 hours worth of material, it's never going to please everyone.

Setlist was:
Love and Only Love
I've Been Waiting for You
Mr. Soul
Spirit Road
Powderfinger
Hey Hey My My
Too Far Gone
Oh, Lonesome Me
Mother Earth (pump organ version)
Needle & The Damage Done
Old Man
Unknown Legend
Words
Get Back To The Country
No Hidden Path
-----------------
A Day In The Life
At 6/30/2008 05:38:00 AM, Dara said...: Neil Young blew a hole in the sky over Malahide last night. It was a real privelige to see Neil play in my back garden. The venue and sound were perfect and Neil appreciated seeing the Canadian flag flying over Malahide Castle. The set was great, well balanced between the heavy rock and more mellow harvest type numbers, and it was fantastic to hear "I've been waiting for you". Mr Soul and Hey Hey My My were as heavy as I've heard them. Value for money? Well he was on for approx 2 hours 15 minutes. And while some may not appreciate a 23 minute jam (they've obviously never seen him with Crazy Horse), it's just one of things he does. As good as Springsteen and Dylan are, neither touch Neil for intensity live.

He was in a good mood even if he did give Larry Cragg a bollicking or two over the course of the evening, and his energy hasn't waned from when I first saw him in Slane Caste fifteen years ago.

This was a fantastic gig.
At 6/30/2008 06:15:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Third time I have seen him on this tour and this was a fantastic gig - can't believe the amount of grumbling on the way out. Perhaps if people had stopped talking and listened a bit more...

Words was remakable, but No Hidden Path was staggeringly good. If you are not moved by guitar playing of that intensity and inventiveness, there is surely little hope for you...
At 6/30/2008 07:03:00 AM, Peter N said...: I went to the show yesterday because of the inclusion of The Frames as the opening act. 15 years ago I seen Neil in Slane due to the inclusion of Pearl Jam as the opening act. Both times I was blown away by how good Neil Young sounds live. A real pleasure to attend the gig....Old Man and Words were the highlights for me.
At 6/30/2008 07:23:00 AM, Brendan said...: Going to Cork - may have spare ticket
At 6/30/2008 07:38:00 AM, Indie Sessions said...: Great Gig have a full review of the day on my music blog here :
http://indielimerick.blogspot.com/2008/06/neil-young-malahide-castledublin-290608.html
At 6/30/2008 07:49:00 AM, Niall said...: I've seen all his irish dates going back 15 years starting with Slane and last nite was probably the best performace of the lot.

Neil last night was in the form of his life, to see such passion and honesty from someone was so refeshing - a bit more passion from the audience and he may have played more than one encore.

OK- 26 mins was a bit much - 17 would've been just about right, but in fairness to him - he'd 'indulged' the Harest/ HarvstMoon fans with plenty the ol'MOR stuff - i'd much prefered more of the 'heading for the ditch music' - i was hoping for some Tonights's the Night tracks - would've been magic as he had Ben Keith with him - but hey, it was still great.

If people want to hear the greatest hits next time bring your ipods or even better don't bother coming at all

Fair play to you Neil and thanks for another remarkable night
At 6/30/2008 08:12:00 AM, Jerry said...: Fantastic concert by Neil. As good as in the 80ties when I saw him the last time. His long solos better then ever. Fairly good mixture of new and old. If you are in Coork don’t missed HIM!!!!!
At 6/30/2008 08:44:00 AM, JohnMc said...: What a night!, and what a performance! How much energy does this man have? This tour is not to be missed. Highlights for me, "Hey Hey, My My", "Words" and "No Hidden Paths". Dissappointment, no Dylan's "All along the Watchtower" for the encore. But not dissappointing enough to tarnish a truly memorable night.
At 6/30/2008 10:05:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Excellent concert, thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I thought hearing Like a Hurricane live couldn't be beaten but No Hidden Path last night was phenomenal - 26 minutes was just about right, personally I thought all the other electric songs were too short, and The Beatles never sounded better. Other highlights Words, and Love and only love - what a way to start the show.
Also thought Everest were very good - a great way to start the evening.
At 6/30/2008 10:05:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Dublin - 'between the lines of age'

What a night!

Having tried to avoid Trashers Wheat for a week (which takes some doing during the exitment of a new tour)we were blessed with some great surpises.

I didn't know what to expect but thought it might follow the spring electric set to an extent. We got a great opener in Love & Only Love and I've Been Waiting For You came next - wow. The early part of the set rocked and then he did a few slower songs which I expected and hoped for - however, I didn't expect that tone to continue like it did.

Unknown Legend was a great surprise and Old Man with a full band including Larry Cragg on banjo was stunning - interesting to see from earlier comments that Larry's got some flak from Neil but he was beaming during Old Man when he joined in.

The slower pace continued and reminded me of the Friends & Relatives tour in 2000 which we didn't get to see in Europe. It felt like the set might be coming to an end due to the time and I was waiting for No Hidden Path which I assumed would close the set lke it did in Spring. Then he picked up the white guitar (sorry don't know the correct name for it!) which he played Winterlong on at Manchester. I love that song so was really exited however, instead he came out with Words which just blew me away. The sun going down with Words playing to what felt like the whole of Ireland was magical.

Loking at the setlists after the event I am so pleased with the set we got. I agree No Hidden Path did go on a little bit (mind you my hangover was starting then)but like someone said you'll never get your dream set down to every song - it felt like a dream set last night though - I couldn't have asked for more.

Neil seemed well up for the gig - I thinks thats why we got such a long No Hidden Path but he seemed pissed off after A Day In The Life - I think he wanted to play more but couldn't due to the curfew - The Sultan or Huricane would have been nice.

Plus we got in the 'mosh pit' so were about 12 rows back - awesome.

A word for the support bands too - wasn't expecting anything from them but both were great, especially The Frames.

Me, Dave & Aide loved the show. This was our 11th NY gig and quite possibly the best - it was aide's first - what a treat.

Roll on Hop Farm next week.

Peace.

Des.
At 6/30/2008 11:14:00 AM, Anonymous said...: okay..here's how my evening went down..long story but i had a Topanga-like vision months ago that I was going to cop a free ticket somehow (& took the dodgy risk of not giving Ticketmaster €81.25) only finally deciding to go to the gig at 8:30 last night...without the free ticket which never materialised so I brought €70 in cash to do battle with a scalper & a credit card on the off chance that I might have to capitulate and give Ticketmaster their pound of flesh...left home @ 8:35 to spin up the Malahide Road on my bike..pulled into the back gate by the car park @ 8:47..had a few words with the steward on duty about getting a ticket...just then two complete stanger Frames fans heading home asked me if I wanted one of their tickets (okay okay...it doesn't make sense to me either..to pay €81.25 to watch the Frames & then head home before Old Black had let out even one bleat..?? But who am I to complain when you experience a Neil Young moment like that..?? Anyway - Moira thanks a lot & up the Dubs - they could have done with Neil's band up front yesterday). Freebie ticket in hand and sh*t-eating grin on face I parked my bike (for free!) & was jogging across the car-park just as Neil kicked off Love and Only Love...bit of hard neck at the ticket-checkers to explain why I was being readmitted (damned Wi-fi scanners) despite their 'policy' & I was in...!! Rassy would have been proud...though I'm sure that Jim Aiken & Elliot Roberts might disagree...
At 6/30/2008 11:15:00 AM, Anonymous said...: The gig was outstanding...I had to make a few moves through the crowd til I got to a spot where I wasn't surrounded by 1. people playing 'The Golden Shot' on their mobile phones.."Can you see the pizza van...well left a bit...right a bit...up a bit...can you seem me...I'm waving at you now"; and 2. the twats who would not shut the f**k up...talking throughout entire frigging songs without taking a breath...didn't matter during the electric set cuz he was SO LOUD...but once he gave Old Black a rest & pulled on the acoustic & the harp rack it was painful to have to actually strain to hear Neil's voice...these gobsh*tes should do as someone else suggested & stick to listening to their iPods (they've only got the Greatest Hits and Harvest alums loaded on them anyway so f**k them if they don't get to hear Heart of Gold). Highlights for me were Hey Hey...I could have sworn that the ground was shaking on some of those growls from Old Black...and Powderfinger...also loved Unknown Legend as I hadn't heard it live before...tho some of the twats sang along...as they might have a copy of Harvest Moon in their collection too...& he does say Harley Davidson in the chorus...ooohhhh...they must be serious NY fans..!! As for the Hidden Path debate...like most hardcore Rusties...it wouldn't bother me if it had gone on for 56 minutes...who has the wherewithal to time songs without getting totally carried along with Neil & his guitar work..?? Not me anyway...I knew he was doing an Ordinary People epic on it...and my heart sank every time he came to what seemed like the end of the song...but sure enough Chad kept the beat going subtly til Neil decided "f**k it...just one more string-bending gut-pulling waltz up and down the fret-board...!!"

Anyone watching this site or SugarMountain over the past while would have had a fair idea of the set list for last night & my only moan would be that another encore would have been nice...but again par for the course has been for a Dylan or Beatles tribute & then skulk off the stage...so not surprised really.
At 6/30/2008 11:23:00 AM, Anonymous said...: All in all it ticked all the boxes for me...good spread of songs from the Buffalo thru to CDII..nice acoustic set..he acknowledged the crowd at least twice ot three times..voice was as good as ever...Ben 'the King' on peddle...Neil gave Larry a minor bollicking...& he shredded Old Black's strings...& it didn't rain!! What more do you want..?? Jesus..!! He even said 'innaresting'...!!

Neil's in his 60s & I respect that he can't sing for 2 hours plus (fans in Cork wouldn't thank us if we sent him down there hoarse)...maybe we were unlucky that most other gigs have had a night off in between. He clearly gets off by singing less & playing more these days...I'm not complaining...he knows how to mix it up.

If I can muster up the energy to do anything other than sit in an armchair & not pi** myself when I'm 62...then I'll be doing well...Neil still has a good few years left in him to keep rocking it like it was 1971 again...Who knows we might see him back with the Horse in a year or two...I might even pay for a ticket this time...

BTW - the white guitar is a Gretsch White Falcon...I think that's the same one that he did a swop with Stephen Stills in the early 70s (a mono version for the stereo version that Neil plays..one of the other rustyanoraks might be able to fill in here)

Enjoy Cork you lucky people!
At 6/30/2008 03:38:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Back to the Country @ Malahide Castle up now on Youtube, enjoy.
At 6/30/2008 03:48:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Thanks for the YouTube info. Nice to see Get back to the Country after viewing the Madrid DVD a hundred times.
Did you or anybody else see what or who was on his t-shirt? B.S.M.
At 6/30/2008 03:50:00 PM, Anonymous said...: One would think that after 40 years of Neil touring, part time fans would learn not to expect a greatest hits concert ... the reviewer calls himself a fan ... and I'm sure he is ... a fan of Neil's recorded hits ... but when you go to a Neil concert its better to let go and let him lead the way ... how could anyone complain, even in a backhanded way, about a Ragged Glory opener?
At 6/30/2008 03:50:00 PM, colin said...: Thoroughly enjoyed the gig - setting in Malahide was excellent and atmosphere in village all weekend was great, since we had travelled down from Belfast.

Agree with other comments - a back catalogue such as Neils , you wont please everyone. Words was the outstanding number of the night, just ahead of The Beatles - A Day in the Life which was truly surreal.

The man can rock like no one else in the business - energy is just frightening. Good mixture of songs. Would probably have liked to have heard All along the Watchtower and perhaps a track or two off On the Beach - but hey what the hell.

Credit to The Frames who were also excellent.
At 6/30/2008 04:23:00 PM, David Lowe said...: Great Concert and Neil did what he does best, make "OLd Black" rock!

I have posted a video on You Tube of "A Day in the Life" absolutely brilliant!!!
http://www.youtube.com/v/DvoOUC0FXho&hl=en
At 6/30/2008 04:27:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Can't believe the criticisms of this performance. I have seen Neil Young on 7 occasions over the past 20 years and this was one of the best gigs ever!. His playing is as savage and intense at 62 years of age as it has ever been. The set was packed with epic songs and more than enough to please the owners of Harvest and Harvest Moon only. Highlights for me were a gorgeous Old Man compete with steel guitar and banjo and a brilliant Mr Soul. And I agree, No Hidden Path was brilliant.
At 6/30/2008 04:48:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I also heard some whining on the way out but, having seen him in Hammersmith this year, I wasn't expecting it to be possible to get even better, IT DID. I'm certain that the crowd enthusiasm at the start set him up for it and the energy and smiles were there in force if you looked.
Excellent variety, Words and Mother Earth, unbeatable highlights.
Neil definitely feeds off the crowd, the more enthusistic the crowd the more he throws himself into his soloing.
I drove from Devon to Birmingham and flew over (great place Malahide, by the way)and back just for the gig and it was worth every minute of thetwo days travel. I only wish I could have gone on to Cork.
At 6/30/2008 05:49:00 PM, Anonymous said...: We travelled from the UK for this gig and was blown away by the intesity and beauty of the music...well worth the trip only wish like previous posters that we could follow him on tour for a while!!! I'm a relatively new Neil Young fan (having first heard someone covering Pocahontas on an acoustic guitar camping in Canada in 1998...and foolishly asking whoese song is this?)and hearing some stuff I've never heard before at Malahide just makes me realise I have many more songs to look forward to!!!
At 6/30/2008 08:04:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Concert was self indulgent and unenjoyable. A lot more than just die-hard fans there and Young just had no rapport with audience - spoke about one sentence in all and guitar solos were ridiculously long and boring. Never again! Have been to enough concerts to know what a good one is and this was definately not one of them.
At 6/30/2008 11:37:00 PM, Anonymous said...: From the reviews its clear Neil is still on fire... I hope he makes his way back to the states for a fall tour ... Many thanks to the Neil fans posting reviews, at least we can enjoy this tour vicariously ...
At 7/01/2008 05:04:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I saw Neil twice in Amsterdam, and once in Paris, on the winter tour: mind-blowing, stunning acoustic set, but electric set back then already disappointing (except chestnuts winterlong/bad fog) due to extended jamming. I think the problem (for some of us at least) is a certain lack of... something... between Neil and this band, which makes him veer off into his own mad/angry electric universe too soon and for too long. Sometimes great to hear, but sometimes just a mess.
At 7/01/2008 03:21:00 PM, Anonymous said...: The concert was fantastic.......NY is the man.

We were in Dublin from York and met three fantastic Glasgow lads, Titch, Nev (Dave) and Chad.......anyway to cut a long story short Lisa lost her phone (as you do)and with your numbers. We would love to stay in touch..........youve got Lisa number and The Bishops email is slymanbish@hotmail.com .

Thanks Neil......
At 7/01/2008 03:22:00 PM, Anonymous said...: So all you critics sit alone
You're no better than me
for what you've shown.
With your stomach pump and
your hook and ladder dreams
We could get together
for some scenes.
At 7/01/2008 03:25:00 PM, Dara said...: If someone managed to capture "I've been waiting for you" from Malahide Castle on camcorder would it be possible to post it up on You tube?

Cheers
At 7/03/2008 09:45:00 PM, Anonymous said...: God, critics, bugger off, opinions are valid, free country and all, but jesus, the man blew me away, no rain, great support, very mixed set list playing a damn good variation from acoustic to grunge, no hidden path was amazing, being in the pit with some real NY fans and singing was beautiful, sorry if it annoyed some but i do NOT go to a concert to stand and hum, loved it, left awestruck, being my first NY gig (yes first) even though i have been a fan for 17 years and have every album (not bootlegs) maybe I am just awestruck and bias.

All i can say is the man rocked, sun, happy people surrounded me, yes i could critisise this and that and get picky, but i refuse. A wonderful gig that shall remain with me for life and bring many malancholic moments.

One more thing, this 'indulgent' thing by NY, in my opinion the set was extremely fair and covered a good array of his most popular stuff. No pleasing some.

Oh and i nearly had an orgasm when he played ive been waiting for you. Peace to all you people in the pit who smiled and made my day so special.

X
At 7/04/2008 02:31:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I've been a Neil Young fan for years but never seen him in concert. I tend to like the Weld, Ragged Glory and Freedom stuff, but I thought No Hidden Path was great and Unknown Legend as well. The only thing to round off my day and make it a perfect concert would be to have Rockin' in the Free World, Cinnamon Girl, Love to Burn, After the Garden, Ohio, Down by the River..... It's impossible isn't it with such a back catalogue.

When he launched into Old Man there were tears in my eyes. The age range at the concert was was probably 12 to 70 years and all the people around me seemed to have a great time.

I think he was taking the piss with Larry and the smile on his face when he launched inot his banjo solo was great.

I want to see him again, for me I've seen a legend
At 7/05/2008 02:29:00 PM, Christine said...: OMG All you idiots who don't even deserve to see Neil in concert, ZIP IT!!! You clearly don't know the man or the history. Neil plays what Neil plays. We are all just so lucky to be in the presence of such a living legend. The fact that he graces us all with his words and lets us into his soul for a short while is a privilege NOT a right. He can play whatever the hell he wants to play. I'm grateful and honoured just to have been in the position to see the man and hear his words.
SOOOOOOOOO tired of you few chumps who don't belong or deserve to be there in the first place. Stay home and watch Desperate Housewives or play soul-less pop music that you can predict and skip Neil Young concerts where you not only don't belong but you cramp the style and vibe of those of us who LIVE, BREATH and EAT ANYTHING Neil is willing to dish up!!! Value for money my A@&^$£
No amount of a ticket price would keep me away from experiencing the most influential force in music that exists. If you come to a Neil concert expecting to be chatted to and interact in meaningless exchanges, you shouldn't be there in the first place. Neil ROCKS he doesn't TALK.
LONG LIVE SHAKEY. XOX LOOCH
At 7/05/2008 05:48:00 PM, Anonymous said...: brought my 8 year old daughter with me, we were lucky enough to get into the pit.she only knew about 5 songs but loved the whole concert.that was my 5th concert includeing accustic show in viker street and i feel lucky to have seen such a legend.highlights for my little girl were unknown legend and hey hey my my, highlight words.
At 7/07/2008 11:49:00 PM, Anonymous said...: There is a 6 minute clip of the opener, Love and Only Love from Malahide on Youtube that just rips ... wow ... I'm completely blown away... Neil doesn't even approach the microphone for 5 minutes at the start just jammin' like only Neil can jam ... mean, nasty riffs ... just awesome, beyond words really ... what a cool opener. The clip fades after one verse and a little more jammin .. then text comes across the screen saying that the song went on for another 9 minutes ... just unreal... Neil is on another level, completely on top of his game, pulling out timeless classics out of his vast canon of songs and rippin them like nobody's business ... friends, we must treasure these shows, treasure Neil, savor every note...