Neil Young fans anticipating his upcoming European tour are guessing which songs to expect from the legendary performer’s set.
Young is notorious for switching up his setlist and fans seem just as excited to hear what changes he makes this time around. Confirmation of the tour came from the Neil Young Archives earlier this week, with tour dates in Dublin, Bergen, and Copenhagen confirmed. Young will not play a date in the UK outside of his Glastonbury appearance but confirmed Van Morrison would appear as the opening act for his show at Dublin’s Malahide Castle. A post to the Neil Young Archives reads: “Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts announce the Love Earth tour, to take place this Summer.
“Kicking off on June 18 in Rättvik, Sweden, the first leg of the tour travels through the EU and UK. The North American leg begins in Charlotte on August 8 before concluding in Los Angeles on September 15.” Fans are now trying to guess what Young may play on the tour, with one saying he will perform whatever he “feels like playing.”
One fan posting to the r/NeilYoung subreddit wrote: “What setlist can we expect for the 2025 tour? What do you think, how many songs will be classics and how many will be new ones? Don’t know why but feels like he will ditch many of the good old tunes for more unknown material.”
Young has confirmed a new album is forthcoming, with lead single Big Change out now. Fans believe Young will “follow his muse” through the set and may change the songs on the fly. One wrote: “I saw him at Farm Aid (2004) at the White River Amphitheater. He sat with his guitars in a circle around him, Peggy and Ben were visible backstage.
“He would start to pick up a guitar, then shake(y) his head, then grab a different instrument. The guy definitely followed his muse and mood that night – it just flows from him. Magical stuff to see really. I have seen him many times. I forget which show, but he once stated, ‘You probably know what I am gonna play before I do.’
What set list can we expect for 2025 tour?
byu/CercaDeTi inneilyoung
“I have gotten to the point that I don’t like to know what the setlist is. I would rather hear it presented without any prior knowledge. It just makes it that much more special to hear.” Another user hoping for Harvest Moon was told there was a likely chance given the addition of Spooner Oldham to the lineup.
Some have suggested “protest or political songs” could be a major theme given the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. A previous statement from Young confirming the tour saw the legendary songwriter say Americans are “under attack”.
He wrote: “Politics and our way of life are under attack from within our own country. We must react. We must show who we are. That is what the Spring and Summer of Democracy is all about. When we hit the road, news of abandoned ideals and changing values will be in the crowd. The music will reflect the feelings of the times. We will be there for you. See you soon.”
