"Practicing for Lakefield... thinking about my own dad... he must have heard this song": Neil Young reflects on performing "My Boy" after 42 years

Neil Young performed an 18-song set at the special benefit concert at Ontario’s Lakefield College School. It is considered his first full performance of the year, and his set included a heartfelt song that he had not performed in 42 years. Before getting on stage at Lakefield College School, Young posted an old photograph of himself with his father and son, Zeke, on his official website.

Neil Young wrote:

"Practicing for Lakefield, I was playing ‘My Boy,’ thinking about my own dad. I know he must have heard this song. My dad was a great guy and Zeke is a wonderful son. I think ‘My Boy’ is my favorite recording of all the ones I have done."

Young started his live performances with a solo show in Ontario, playing one of his most personal songs during the show. My Boy was released on August 12, 1985, on his Old Ways album. It is an ode to his son Zeke, and he calls it:

"probably the most soulful recording I have ever made."

The last time the song was performed was at the Solo Trans tour in 1983.

More details about Neil Young's first live performance of 2025

On his website, Neil Young mentioned the weather conditions of his first live show of the year. He also explained the main intention of the special concert.

He wrote:

"Looks like it will be raining tonight in Lakefield, as we do the benefit that pays for the refurbishment of the Canadian Heritage Farm house. It was built in 1900 along the lake shore, and we will be bringing it back so all the fortunate kids who come to Lakefield College from around the world can appreciate the wonderful Canadian feeling."

Despite the weather conditions, many people attended his show, paying up to $1,500 for tickets to hear the 18-song acoustic performance by Young.

Some of the songs Young played for the audience include:

• Heart of Gold
• Comes a Time
• Helpless
• After the Gold Rush
• Sugar Mountain
• Love/Art Blues
• Name of Love

Lastly, he ended his show and performance with Old Man. According to the setlist, he was supposed to close the show with two songs: Throw Your Hatred Down and Rockin’ in the Free World. The changes in the setlist could most likely be due to the weather conditions.

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Neil Young is going to have a busy year in 2025. With the upcoming The Love Earth Tour, which will open on June 18, 2025, in Sweden, as well as his 48th upcoming studio album titled Talkin to the Trees, which will be released on June 13, 2025. It will have 10 tracks in total and will be released through The Other Shoe Productions and Reprise Records.

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