Neil Young Performs “My Boy” Live for the First Time in Over 40 Years at Intimate Benefit Concert
Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Young delivered a deeply personal and memorable performance on the evening of May 23, revisiting one of the most heartfelt songs from his vast catalog. At a special benefit concert held on the grounds of Ontario’s Lakefield College School, Young gave fans something truly rare — the first live rendition of “My Boy” in more than four decades.
This intimate solo acoustic set marked Neil Young’s first full performance of 2025 and served a noble cause, supporting restoration efforts for a historic 116-year-old cottage nearby. Despite cold and rainy weather, devoted fans didn’t hesitate to pay up to $1,500 for tickets, eager to witness the legendary artist’s 18-song set.
While the concert featured many beloved classics, including timeless tracks like “Heart of Gold,” “Comes a Time,” and “Sugar Mountain,” it was the mid-show performance of “My Boy” that resonated most powerfully with the audience. Originally released on Young’s 1985 album Old Ways, the banjo-driven ballad is a tender tribute to his eldest son, Zeke. The song had been absent from live shows since Young’s 1983 Solo Trans tour, making this moment especially poignant.
With emotional sincerity, Young sang the lyrics, “Why are you growin’ up so fast, my boy?” capturing the bittersweet passage of time between father and son. Earlier that day, he had shared a touching vintage photo on social media, featuring himself alongside Zeke and his late father, the acclaimed Canadian journalist Scott Young. Reflecting on the significance of the song, Neil wrote, “Practicing for Lakefield, I was playing ‘My Boy,’ thinking about my own dad. I knew he must have heard this song.”
“My dad was a great guy and Zeke is a wonderful son,” Young added during the concert. “I think ‘My Boy’ is my favorite recording of all the ones I have done.”
The evening also surprised fans with a selection of rarely performed tracks, including “Love/Art Blues,” which hadn’t been played live since 2008, and the deep cut “Name of Love” from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, absent from setlists since 2014. Neil closed the show with the classic “Old Man.” A printed setlist revealed plans for encore performances of “Throw Your Hatred Down” and “Rockin’ in the Free World,” but these were likely cut due to the inclement weather.
This heartfelt concert comes just weeks before Neil Young embarks on his highly anticipated Love Earth Tour, kicking off on June 18 in Sweden. The North American leg is set to begin on August 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina. While the full setlist remains under wraps, fans can expect to hear selections from Young’s upcoming album Talkin’ to the Trees, scheduled for release on June 13 via Reprise Records.
With this powerful performance and upcoming tour, Neil Young continues to prove why he remains an enduring and beloved figure in music, delivering timeless stories through his songs and connecting deeply with audiences old and new.