Why Neil Young Canceled His Free Ukraine Show
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - OCTOBER 26: Singer Neil Young performs at the 16th annunal Bridge School benefit concert October 26, 2002 in Mountain View, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Neil Young has decided to cancel his planned free concert in Ukraine, citing safety concerns for his crew and equipment. While the legendary rocker had hoped to kick off his Love Earth world tour in a war-torn but resilient nation, the realities on the ground proved too unpredictable.
“I Could Not in Good Conscience…”
In a statement shared on his Neil Young Archives website, Young explained his decision, he wrote:
“Our concert in Ukraine is canceled.
“We had a good venue, close to a shelter, but the changing situation on the ground was too much. I could not in good conscience take my crew and instruments into that area. My apologies to all. Ukraine is a great country with a good leader. Slava Ukraini.”
Though he never revealed an exact date or location, the idea of opening the tour with a free show in Ukraine was announced earlier this month. Fans were hopeful, but Young chose to prioritize safety.
Ukraine and Russia: Fragile Peace Talks
The decision comes as Ukraine and Russia recently agreed “in principle” to a limited ceasefire, after leaders from both nations reportedly met with U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press. However, details on when the ceasefire will begin — or which areas it covers — remain unclear. Putin has reportedly resisted calls for a full 30-day ceasefire, adding to the ongoing uncertainty.
Love Earth Tour Still On — Without Ticketmaster Tricks
While the Ukraine show is off the table, the Love Earth tour will now kick off on June 18 in Rättvik, Sweden. The tour will cover Europe and North America, wrapping up on Sept. 15 at the Hollywood Bowl.
Young also made it clear the tour won’t use Ticketmaster’s controversial dynamic pricing model. Inspired by The Cure’s Robert Smith, Young called it a “bad thing that has happened to concerts worldwide.” He added that Smith “really helped me to realize I have a choice to make and can make a difference to my music-loving friends.”
Young advised fans to “buy aggressively when the tickets come out or tickets will cost a lot more in a secondary market.”
