Neil Younger Performs ‘Rockin’ within the Free World’ With Joan Baez

Neil Younger took the stage for the primary time this 12 months on the Bernie Sanders/Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “Preventing Oligarchy” rally in entrance of 36,000 individuals at L.A.’s Gloria Molina Grand Park. The invoice additionally included Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, Jeff Rosenstock, Soiled Projectors, Indigo De Souza, the Crimson Pears & Elevate Gospel Choir.

Younger got here out gripping his 1953 Gibson Les Paul, higher often known as Previous Black, shortly after a fiery speech by Service Staff Worldwide Union President April Verrett. He teased the opening notes of “Rockin’ In The Free World” a number of instances whereas main the group in a “Take America Again” chant earlier than kicking into “Rainbow of Colours.” It is a deep reduce from his 2019 LP Colorado that few within the crowd seemingly acknowledged, however the lyrics have been good for the event.

“There’s a rainbow of colours Within the outdated USA,” Younger sang. “Nobody’s gonna whitewash/These colours away/However this I can inform you/We the Persons are sturdy/And we all know that our brothers/And our sisters in music.” (To see the efficiency from a greater angle, quick ahead the under video to the 4:11:20 mark.)

He adopted it up with a very uncommon solo electrical rendition of “Rockin’ within the Free World,” with a harmonica solo taking the place of his commonplace guitar solo. Halfway via, Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers got here onstage to assist sing the refrain, and hearth up the group by chanting “Energy to the Individuals” and “Take America Again” between the verses. They by no means received round to the ultimate “1000’s level of sunshine for the homeless man” verse that takes direct purpose at George H.W. Bush and the greed of the Eighties.

“Thanks of us,” Younger advised the group as soon as it ended. “Thanks for being right here. And thanks for being someplace subsequent weekend, and the weekend after that till we get this straight. Simply preserve coming again, individuals.” (AOC was the subsequent speaker, and he or she delivered her tackle in entrance of Younger’s classic amps.)

Earlier within the afternoon, Baez and guitarist Greg Leisz performed a quick set that included John Lennon’s “Think about,” Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Assume Twice, It’s All Proper” and Phil Ochs’ “There However For Fortune.” And Rogers broke out “Completely different Sort of World,” “Mild On,” and “Alaska” throughout her personal set.

The rally marked the start of an especially busy 12 months for Younger. His subsequent present will happen April 26 on the semi-annual Mild Up The Blues profit at L.A.’s Greek Theater the place he’ll share the stage with Stephen Stills, Billie Idol, Cat Energy, and Linda Perry. He’ll then head as much as Lakefield, Ontario on Could 23 for a profit present to boost cash for Lakefield School College. And on June 18, he’ll kick off a world tour along with his new band the Chrome Hearts in Rättvik, Sweden. The American leg begins August 18 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The unique itinerary included a particular present in Ukraine earlier than the official kickoff in Sweden, however these plans have been finally scuttled. “We had an excellent venue, near a shelter, however the altering scenario on the bottom was an excessive amount of,” Younger wrote in a message to followers. “I couldn’t in good conscience take my crew and devices into that space. My apologies to all. Ukraine is a superb nation with an excellent chief. Slava Ukraini.”

Younger has additionally expressed considerations that he won’t be allowed again into America on the finish of the European tour on account of his relentless criticism of President Trump. “For those who say something unhealthy about Trump or his administration, you could be barred from re-entering USA in case you are Canadian,” he wrote to followers on April 1. “If you’re a twin citizen like me, who is aware of? We’ll all discover that out collectively.”