Neil Young Plays Rare Full-Band ‘Ambulance Blues’ With The Chrome Hearts
Young performed a full-band version of "Ambulance Blues" for only the third time in his six-decade career.
Neil Young performs at the Autism Speaks Light Up The Blues 6 Concert at The Greek Theatre on April 22, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Neil Young treated fans in Groningen, Netherlands, to a once-in-a-generation moment during his Love Earth Tour on July 1, performing a full-band version of “Ambulance Blues” for only the third time in his six-decade career.
The performance took place at Drafbaan Stadspark, where Young was joined by his current touring outfit, the Chrome Hearts, featuring guitarist Micah Nelson (aka Particle Kid), bassist Corey McCormick, drummer Anthony Logerfo, and longtime collaborator Spooner Oldham on organ.
“I haven’t played this in like 100 years,” Young told the crowd as he stepped into the spotlight. What followed was an eight-minute rendition of the On the Beach deep cut, a song revered by fans for its raw lyrics reflecting cultural malaise and change: “You’re all just pissin’ in the wind.”
Originally released as the closing track of Young’s 1974 album On the Beach — part of his so-called “Ditch Trilogy” alongside Time Fades Away and Tonight’s the Night — “Ambulance Blues” has almost exclusively appeared in stripped-back solo acoustic performances. Its full-band treatment is exceptionally rare, previously documented only at the 1998 Bridge School Benefit with R.E.M. and during a private 2016 show in Paris with Promise of the Real.
The Groningen show was the sixth date of Young’s European run, which has seen him lean heavily on classics. The setlist included fan favorites like “Cinnamon Girl,” “Harvest Moon,” “Like a Hurricane,” “Old Man,” and a poignant solo acoustic “The Needle and the Damage Done.” Notably, tracks from the Chrome Hearts’ debut album Talkin to the Trees — released June 12 — have been largely absent from the live shows, despite pre-tour performances of singles “Big Change,” “Let’s Roll Again,” and the title track.
This historic moment underscores a tour that has balanced reverence for Young’s deep catalog with a fresh, invigorated approach to live performance. It also highlights Young’s ongoing relevance: nearly 50 years after On the Beach, his lyrics continue to resonate with audiences navigating turbulent times.
Young’s European leg continues July 3 with a stop at Berlin’s Waldbühne, followed by two additional European shows before heading back to North America for a 15-date run stretching through Sept. 15.
This article was first published by Billboard U.S.
