March 6, 2008 10:46

Neil Young kicks off six-night London stint in style

The Canadian legend mixes classics with rarities during epic show

Neil Young combined the classics with rare material as he kicked off a six-night stint in London last night (March 5).

As has been a regular occurrence on the tour, the epic half-acoustic, half-electric set at Hammersmith Apollo featured the likes of the previously unreleased 'Sad Movies' and 'No One Seems To Know', which was supposed to feature on 'Homegrown', his unreleased album from the mid-70s.

Meanwhile the electric set featured classics like 'Down By The River' and 'Powderfinger', while the crowd roared with appreciation as the Canadian legend closed with the epic 'Like A Hurricane', the song being by far the most popular audience request of the night.

Young, who was joined by a painter onstage, engaged in occasional banter, telling the crowd at one point that he once met Jesus outside the venue, and when Young asked him what he was doing at the show, he said “Jesus replied, ‘Saving souls, just like you’.”

Neil Young played:

'From Hank To Hendrix'
'Ambulance Blues'
'Sad Movies'
'A Man Needs A Maid'
'No One Seems To Know'
'Harvest'
'Journey Through The Past'
'Mellow My Mind'
'Love Art Blues'
'Don't Let It Bring You Down'
'Cowgirl In The Sand'
'Old Man'
'Mr Soul'
'Dirty Old Man'
'Spirit Road'
'Down By the River'
'Hey Hey, My My'
'Too Far Gone'
'Oh, Lonesome Me'
'The Believer'
'Powderfinger'
'No Hidden Path'
'Cinnamon Girl'
'Like A Hurricane'

You can read John Mulvey's review of last night's show on Uncut's website now.

Young was supported by his wife Pegi, who recently released a self-titled album of her own.

The sold-out tour continues at the London Hammersmith Apollo (6,8,9,11,14,15) and at Manchester Apollo (11,12).