Neil Young News: San Diego, CA Concert Reports

Thursday, October 30, 2008

San Diego, CA Concert Reports

Neil Young will be performing tonight at Cox Arena - San Diego State University, San Diego, California.

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

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28 Comments:

At 10/30/2008 01:42:00 AM, Anonymous said...: LA show cancelled? Just got a ticketmaster alert e-mail that says Thurs night's Forum show has been cancelled. Didn't look like a real ticketbastard email, and I thought it might be a hoax. Found a few posts in other forums that claim Neil won't cross picket lines at the Forum and the show has been cancelled...or postponed? Any credible news out there?
At 10/30/2008 01:45:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I just got the same thing? Wha the hell? I've been looking so forward to this show. It's not even listed on the tickmaster website anymore.
At 10/30/2008 01:48:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I got an email as well saying the show was cancelled. Also checked the forum website and it too said the show was cancelled. What picket lines are you talking about?
At 10/30/2008 01:49:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Im pissed off, been looking forward to seeing Neil for quite some time now, i hope he has a good excuses or he might as well just lost a fan
At 10/30/2008 01:58:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Here, I think, is the official site for the Forum workers strike:

http://ia33.org/action/la_forum.htm

Don't know if any of this is true, but if it is, what dumbshit booked Neil at this venue?
At 10/30/2008 02:23:00 AM, Anonymous said...: How AWFUL!!!!! Number 1. Why the forum. 2. If this is true regarding the picket lines, Why won't he cross the lines for his true fans who payed good money for these tickets? What a huge disappointment no matter what
At 10/30/2008 02:41:00 AM, Anonymous said...: No matter the reason, looks like it's official. As someone else noted: the Forum website is listing the show 'canceled' and it's no longer on ticketbastard.

Hey Neil, we're ALL down with the working man, but please consider donating half of every outrageously-priced ticket to the cause and putting the show back on.
At 10/30/2008 02:56:00 AM, Anonymous said...: so i just got back from the show. i dont remember the setlist exactly but he burned the house down. highlights include powderfinger, cinnamon girl, old man, and an absolutely barnstorming rockin in the free world. AWESOME CONCERT!
At 10/30/2008 03:08:00 AM, Anonymous said...: With the AF of M, Neil is a Union Man, so kinda makes sense not crossing the line....but what a bummer guys, the Shows have been Awesome! I am betting he'll reschedule just like the Kansas City and Omaha.
Not much help with having to miss it now but most likely the story behind it.
At 10/30/2008 04:08:00 AM, Rasputin1981 said...: Does anyone know how you can get a refund for the LA show if you bought the tickets in the Music Today pre-order? They haven't e-mailed me or anything...
At 10/30/2008 05:11:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Neil Young cancels Oct. 30 Inglewood Forum show

Neil Young has called off his concert scheduled for Thursday night at the Forum in Inglewood rather than ask his fans to cross a picket line that the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees said they would set up at the arena, which has a long history of labor disputes with IATSE.

"I am extremely disappointed to have to choose between satisfying my fans or backing my brothers and sisters of the IATSE," Young said in a statement issued late tonight (Wednesday) from San Diego, where he was performing on his way to L.A.

"I will miss playing in Los Angeles and apologize to my fans for the inconvenience this has caused," Young's statement said. Young and his wife, Pegi, are honorary lifetime members of IATSE.

The L.A. show will be rescheduled for next year, according to his publicist. Those holding tickets to the Forum show may get refunds at the point of purchase.
At 10/30/2008 04:00:00 PM, Anonymous said...: LONG LIVE NEIL YOUNG!!!
Sorry to the fans in L.A. Hope he can re-schedule something.
Neil Young right now is at the top of his game.
Last night was one of THE best shows I have ever attended. The first time I saw him was in 1968 (or maybe it was 1969....it was ths 60's after all) with The Buffalo Springfield and since then I have seen him a dozen times or more times with many different bands. With Crazy Horse, CSN, Friends and Relatives, Booker T and the MG's, solo, and last nights group of musicians. Small venues and large Neil has never disappointed this life long fan. But after attending last nights show I'm convinced he has never been better.He is at the top of his game!
The energy level that comes from the stage is almost life altering. After the concert I couldn't sleep. I would stir constantly and find myself thinking about what I had just experienced. It affects you, a Neil Young concert.
Neil Young has an ability to pass energy on to who ever cares to recieve. You think to yourself, how can this guy maintain this kind energy level through his music, night after night while touring the world. But he does.
This morning I felt energized, even though I hadn't slept much. Energy comes from doing something you are passionate about. Neil Young is passionate about his music. It is obvious at any of his shows. You feel it..physically.
Maybe "Just Singing a Song Can't Change the World" but a career of songs delivered with passion and with the energy level that I experienced, last night can certainly change the people lucky enough to have seen Neil Young at the top of his game!!
LONG LIVE NEIL YOUNG!!
At 10/30/2008 04:19:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Thanks for the great review!
The energy from the show is in your writing!
LONG LIVE NEIL YOUNG!!
At 10/30/2008 04:24:00 PM, Anonymous said...: No Kidding about last night's show here in San Diego. Phenomenal. I was blown away by his constant energy, song delivery and guitar playing. The music never sounded so good and was just pouring out of him. I feel for those who won't be seeing the show tonight in L.A., but don't give up. Keep an eye out for the reschedule because you will not be disappointed...especially if he feels that he should "make up" for cancelling. I'll be there for sure!!!!
At 10/30/2008 04:57:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Just AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! i have been a Neil Young Fan for a long time and last night show at COX arena here in San Diego was one of the best concerts i have been to,he was full of energy!! so many good songs..I will be there at his next concert.
At 10/30/2008 05:46:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I live in LA but decided to see him in San Diego after being disappointed by the crowd and venue last year at the Nokia theater. I figured I'd check out the Cox Arena venue since it had a General Admission ticket for cheap, and I knew Neil would be rocking the grunge for the standing crowd. I was right. He opened with Love and Only Love - rockin', moved into Hey Hey My My, then Everybody Knows this is Nowhere and Powderfinger like a steam engine train. You could tell he was in a quirky, playful mood- making faces to his band mates and really enjoying the crowd. I've seen the song Spirit Road four times now, and the one he did last night was amazing, crisp, energetic, and he really jammed-it-through. The crowd was truly in motion to Cinnamon Girl and unlike the LA shows I saw in 07, you could hear a pin drop during Oh Lonesome Me. Then came the solo set: a heartfelt Mother Earth and Needle and the Damage done, an immaculate Heart of Gold, and a funny false-started Old Man banjo and all. Get back into the country had all the mustaches dancing, and When worlds Collide had the tie-died hippies grooving. I crapped my pants when he whipped out Cowgirl in the Sand, which brought the place down only slightly less then the Rockin' in the Free world that followed. You could see everybody in the crowd dancing as the house lights came on for the chorus "keep on Rockin in the Free world!" Then after the house came down, Neil encored us with a beautiful country-rock version of A Day in the Life, in which he proceeded to break every string on his guitar one-by one upon completing the song. Overall, the show was my second favorite ever, (unfortunately seeing the stones do Sticky Fingers at the Roseland still takes it). Nonetheless Neil is God. Best show ever. Sorry LA, but now I got a chance to see him again.
At 10/30/2008 06:23:00 PM, Anonymous said...: ...p.s....I was standing ten feet from him for the whole friggin' show!!! amazing.
At 10/30/2008 07:26:00 PM, John in Encinitas said...: I saw Neil last night and he played amazing music. I saw him with CSN & Y in Utah some time ago and in L.A. i thought a show mid week in San Diego...ho hum but wrong, he played for almost 3 hours from Cinamon Girl to Pocahontas, to Cowgirl in the Sand, Everyone knows this is nowhere, and finished with the Beatles, oh my god, you are my hero Neil I put on your music all day to today, my brother in law use to sing the needle and the damage done years ago and he is gone because he was just like a setting sun....miss you Sam and Bless you Neil and Pegi....I almost ( ok i did) cried with the mother earth song...you have more imagination in one song then i have had my whole life, you are truely blessed.
John in Encinitas, California
At 10/30/2008 08:06:00 PM, Anonymous said...: as i left the concert last nite i wasn't sure which one of my top ten concerts just got bumped off but there is no doubt that this one move near to number one....what an amazing artist!...and let's not forget to give kudo's to the death cab for cutie for an excellent show, too
At 10/30/2008 08:44:00 PM, Anonymous said...: We are over on holidays from Australia for 2 weeks i brought these tickets for the Forum due to location to my daughter over here and easy of her driving us to the venue, they also were a surprise for the friend i am travelling with, imagine our SURPRISE that now we don't get to see him here, i have seen him twice in Australia but Chris my mate has never seen him and was soooo looking forward to the show, Now we both feel like deflated balloons as it was one or the highlights of the trip, we have also purchased tickets for Brisbane Australia on 21st January 2009 so we will both have to wait. Understand your course Neil but wish it was otherwise. So to all you fans that are all so miss out tonight get out those CD's and play them loud and clear. Dedicated fans from OZ
At 10/30/2008 10:08:00 PM, Anonymous said...: why did neil keep an artist in the back painting last nights concert in san diego
At 10/31/2008 10:18:00 AM, eddy ecco said...: made it back to AZ last night--heard bout the LA Cancellation on the radio--I'm sorry for the LA fans-because the San Diego show was the best I've ever seen--everybody played and sang great---Neil was on fire and having fun---Chad cromwell was a monster on the drums---beautiful acoustic middle of the show bookened by some great Heavy Rock n Roll---
if you want to turn any one onto neil young--these are the shows---
At 10/31/2008 12:17:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Sucks about the LA cancelation but Neil is just keeping true to himself, and he will reschedule just hang in there because no matter how long you wait it is completley well worth it, the San Diego show blew me away. He may be in his 60's but I have never been to a more wonderful concert. There were various instruments, tons of songs, and his guitar notes would just linger... his voice was super strong as well, not as high as back in the day but still beautiful. All the while I couldn't help but be amazed at his musical skills and I had never seen anyone that talented play before, it was great and it was truly rock and roll. He was so humble about it, he just did his thing and it seemed like he blushed when after every song he was getting a standing ovation and I think he didn't talk much because the audience was screaming the ENTIRE show, I mean they never let up it was just that great!
Overall, if that was the one Neil Young show I was blessed to see in my life I would be 100% satisfied with that. If I ever see him again I would love it more, but it was probably my favorite concert I've ever been too. My favorite song would have to be Old Man and he played it and it was beautiful and defintley emotinoal but the song with most energy would have to be keep on rocking in the free world...the lights illuminate the crowd and everyone was into it screaming and cheering and dancing...And for the encoure he came back to cover a Beatles song. This last song he proceeded to break every single string on his guitar but still continued playing. I loved it, I'm still thinking about it friday morning, super powerful and amazing. Neil Young only enforced my belief ROCK AND ROLL WILL NEVER DIEEEEEEEEE
At 11/01/2008 04:07:00 PM, Neil said...: I first saw Neil Young and Crazy Horse in Ireland in 1987, the night before I immigrated to the States, he was absolutely incredible and inspiring to a soul that was full of passion, belief and wonder. Wednesday night in San Diego was equal to that night and in some ways so much better because I am now more mature to understand the reality of life and the hardness in it - but good old Neil took me back - takes me back - to that young Irishman full of awe and wonder yet to be tainted by the slings and woes of outrageous fortune - Neil Young has and will always be my soulman and the only hero I truly believe in - his music - energy and creation and love of the notes and tunes transcends this modane world of ours now in trouble - this night was a perfect caption for casting of the old (last 8 years) and renewal in this great country where an older wiser Irish immigrant might believe again and have reason to do so..... hippies love Obama ....

Thanks Neil for creating my world of happiness and magic ...

Neil (PS San Diego - what a place to live... found my home...from home)
At 11/18/2008 05:10:00 PM, jason said...: Hey Does anyone know how long before Neil comes on that General Admission was starting to fill up? I want to make sure I get up close and personal...thanks.
At 11/19/2008 01:18:00 AM, runrelax said...: This post has been removed by the author.
At 11/19/2008 01:20:00 AM, runrelax said...: This post has been removed by the author.
At 11/19/2008 01:23:00 AM, runrelax said...: Jason,
Great ? about the GA when Bruce and U2 do this General admission floor they post the GA policy at the venue..I noticed earlier in the tour XL center posted doors @ 6 pm..
I am holding 4 for DCU in Worcester MA w/ Wilco opening and hoping for close to the front..
I had the fortune of Neil at Farm Aid in Sept...Great setlist. and a Day in the Life was over the Top!
Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

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