Neil Young At The Big Day Out

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wednesday 29 October**

90 Minutes In Heaven:
Neil Young At The Big Day Out

NEILYOUNG at BIG DAY OUT? You better believe it. From the festival that brought you the likes of Iggy Pop, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica and Nick Cave. In 2009, BIG DAY OUT presents legendary guitarist and songwriter NEIL YOUNG –Anti-war protestor. Hall of Famer. Environmental crusader. Instantly recognisable vocalist. Father. Social activist. Filmmaker. Godfather of Grunge. Oscar-nominated songwriter. Crazy Horse. Buffalo Springfield. Crosby, Stills, Nash and…

YOUNG’s 90-minute BIG DAY OUT set will crackle into life at 9pm on the main stage and is guaranteed to be full of classics. His electric band features long-time cohort and pedal steel guitarist Ben Keith, bassist Rick Rosas, drummer Chad Cromwell, guitarist Anthony Crawford and singer/guitarist (and wife) Pegi Young.

For a taste of what you’re in for, check out this hit-heavy setlist YOUNG played at Denmark’s Roskilde festival earlier this year: Love and Only Love; Hey Hey, My My; Powderfinger; Spirit Road; Cinnamon Girl; All Along the Watchtower; Oh, Lonesome Me; Mother Earth; The Needle and the Damage Done; Unknown Legend; Heart of Gold; Old Man; Get Back to the Country; Words; No Hidden Path; A Day in the Life.

Reviews from YOUNG’s string of festival appearances this past European summer have singled the shows out as some of his best in years – pointing to the feelgood singalong moments, the band’s awe-inspiring rock playing and “full-on electric assault”, the moving and “simply harmonious” nature of the “quieter section” of the set, the frontman’s good mood, and the great atmosphere in the crowd.

“NEIL YOUNG is… NEIL YOUNG. How else can it be put? No one else can do this. Live, he’s the greatest, hands down. A cathartic and primal musical experience.” (Epoch Times, July 2008)

Back in the States in October, Spin witnessed this elder statesman of rock kick off his US tour by breathing “new vitality into songs more than three decades old… his set became a veritable greatest hits collection”.

It’s been fully twenty years since YOUNG last played in New Zealand – and even longer since he delivered such a dream setlist for fans. Who knows when he will be back again. So whether you’ve followed him for years, or you’re in need of a rock’n’roll history lesson, NEIL YOUNG at BIG DAY OUT 2009 is a rarefied experience you can’t afford to miss.

If you’re quick you may still be able to enjoy one of the greatest rock and roll experiences of your lifetime.

NEIL YOUNG headlines an Auckland BIG DAY OUT line-up on 16 January that crackles with all the usual flair and brilliance this event brings to town each year. Joining him are everyone from the UK’s dance-rock crowd-pleasers THE PRODIGY to youthful songsmiths ARCTIC MONKEYS, an American contingent that includes the critically acclaimed TV ON THE RADIO and MY MORNING JACKET, a band proudly carrying YOUNG’s tradition of ragged guitar jam glory, and a host more great names due to be announced in just a week’s time.

YOUNG’s three Australian solo shows around his BIG DAY OUT dates have already sold out and Sydney and Gold Coast BIG DAY OUT shows have also sold out with the others all close behind. Please note there will be NO additional NEIL YOUNG shows going on sale.

NEIL YOUNG AT THE BIG DAY OUT 2009

AUCKLAND  Friday 16 January  Mt Smart Stadium
Tickets available from bigdayout.com and
Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.co.nz or 0800-111-999

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