Neil Young Cancels Free Ukraine Concert Due to Safety Risks Amid War
Neil Young has canceled his planned free concert in Ukraine due to safety concerns amid the ongoing war. The decision came after assessing the security situation in the war-ravaged country, despite having secured a venue near a shelter.
Neil Young playing acoustic guitar
Photo Credit: Neil Young by gorupdebesanez / CC by 3.0
Young explained on his website that he couldn't risk the safety of his crew and equipment, stating, "The changing situation on the ground was too much." He expressed his regret and praised Ukraine as "a great country with a good leader."
The veteran musician has been openly critical of Russia's invasion, describing it as "the crazy war of an old dying guy who wants to relive his life." He has also voiced criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership, emphasizing his belief in America's future return to global leadership.
Meanwhile, Young and his band, the Chrome Hearts, are proceeding with their Love Earth World Tour, starting in Europe this June followed by North America in August. Notably, Young has decided to ban Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing for his shows, inspired by The Cure's Robert Smith's stance against the practice.
Smith has been a vocal critic of dynamic pricing, calling it a "greedy scam" and arguing that it would cease to exist if artists collectively refused to participate. He maintains that artists who claim ignorance about the practice are "either f***ing stupid or lying."
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