Neil Young Returns to Stage With 2 Songs at David Suzuki's 90th Birthday Benefit
Updated
Updated · NME · May 23
Neil Young Returns to Stage With 2 Songs at David Suzuki's 90th Birthday Benefit
6 articles · Updated · NME · May 23
Neil Young made his first live appearance of 2026 on May 22, delivering solo performances of “Heart of Gold” and “After the Gold Rush” at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
The surprise set came at a benefit for David Suzuki’s 90th birthday, after Young canceled all 2026 tour dates earlier this year, including a full UK and European run.
Young later told fans “all is good,” saying he needed a break and was “listening to my body,” making the Vancouver appearance his first public return to the stage since those cancellations.
The event also featured Jane Fonda, Al Gore and Sarah McLachlan, while Young’s broader comeback remains limited to a finished new album with The Chrome Hearts.
Is Neil Young’s surprise acoustic set a prelude to his full return to touring?
Why did Neil Young cancel his tour to rest, only to immediately record a new album?
What deal was made for the Chrome Hearts brand to suddenly drop its lawsuit against Young's band?