Neil Young revisited one of the most heartfelt tracks from his legendary catalog during a special benefit concert on Friday night (May 23), performing “My Boy” live for the first time in over 42 years.
Neil Young kicked off his first full performance of 2025 with a rare solo acoustic set at Ontario’s Lakefield College School, supporting the restoration of a nearby 116-year-old historic cottage. Despite cold and rainy weather, fans paid up to $1,500 to attend the intimate 18-song show.
While Young’s setlist included beloved hits like “Heart of Gold,” “Comes a Time,” and “Sugar Mountain,” it was the emotional revival of “My Boy” — a tribute to his eldest son Zeke — that resonated most with the crowd. The deeply personal ballad, originally released on 1985’s Old Ways, had not been performed live since his 1983 Solo Trans tour.
Neil Young surprised fans with a few deep cuts during the set, including “Love/Art Blues,” which he hadn’t performed since 2008, and the CSNY gem “Name of Love,” last heard live in 2014. He wrapped up the evening with a heartfelt rendition of “Old Man.” Interestingly, the printed setlist suggested that encore songs — “Throw Your Hatred Down” and “Rockin’ in the Free World” — were planned but likely cut due to the rainy weather.
Recently, Neil Young has dropped his latest single, “Lets Roll Again” featuring Elon Musk.
