Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts rocked the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York, delivering a mix of tender acoustic moments and electrifying jams that had the crowd hooked from start to finish.
Just two days after their debut at Farm Aid, the band took the stage for their first headlining show, serving up a 14-song setlist blending gentle favorites like “Comes a Time” and “Journey Through the Past” with powerful, Crazy Horse-style rockers such as “Big Time,” “Powderfinger,” and “I’m the Ocean.”
The night’s standout was a 13-minute epic version of “Down by the River,” where Neil Young and Micah Nelson locked into a fiery guitar duel that left fans in awe. Supporting them were seasoned musicians — organist Spooner Oldham, drummer Anthony LoGerfo, and bassist Corey McCormick — who gelled effortlessly despite this being their first time playing together as a group.
The band showed true resilience, even when technical glitches struck early on—Neil famously ripped out the wires of his malfunctioning lyric teleprompter in frustration without missing a beat.
Highlights included four tracks from Young’s classic album Harvest Moon, like “From Hank to Hendrix” and “Unknown Legend,” hinting that the band is exploring much of that era’s material. This ties into Neil’s ongoing work on the Archives box set, revisiting treasures from his vast vaults.
Micah Nelson emerged as the evening’s MVP. Over the past year, he mastered pedal steel parts originally played by Ben Keith, bringing a heartfelt touch to the Harvest Moon songs. While Ben Keith’s influence is irreplaceable, Micah filled that space beautifully with his skill and soul.
When Neil plugged in his iconic guitar “Old Black,” Micah stepped into the roles of Crazy Horse legends like Danny Whitten and Poncho Sampedro, creating a seamless guitar chemistry with Young. Meanwhile, Spooner Oldham’s tasteful organ playing added a rich layer to every song.
This lineup wasn’t what Neil originally planned for this fall. Earlier in the year, he had a full tour planned, including festival appearances, but an unspecified illness forced him to cancel Crazy Horse shows midway through the tour. Whether they’ll play again remains uncertain.
Born out of necessity, The Chrome Hearts came together for Farm Aid and upcoming benefit shows, but they’re quickly establishing themselves as Neil’s new go-to band. With Crazy Horse’s core members now in their 80s, The Chrome Hearts are stepping up to carry the torch. They might not replace Crazy Horse, but they’re proving to be the perfect next chapter — and here’s hoping their journey continues for years to come.