The night started off with a short - but enjoyable set from up and coming West Coast alt country rockers 'Everest'. These dudes were so very happy to be opening for Wilco and Neil Young and their enthusiasm was contagious. There was no doubt that their sound has been influenced by both headliners, and the crowd really seemed to dig their sound - which was obvious just from the fact that we *listened* to their set.

Up next was Wilco. I am a huge Wilco fan - and would have to say that their 2006 Alderny Landing show in Dartmouth was probably the best sounding live show i have ever seen. They are amazing musicians who play well together and they did not let me down. The only disappointing thing about their set was how short it was. I was hoping they would have at least an hour - but they clocked in at just over 45 minutes. What they did with that 45 minutes was pretty amazing though. They packed in 10 tunes - many of which contained some stellar guitar freak-outs and full on noise rock. The highlights of the set for me were definitely Via Chicago - which included the best quiet/loud/quiet/loud transitions of the night. The next would be California Stars - where Jeff Tweedy forgot some of the lyrics which led to a funny exchange with the crowd - and him being saved by bass player John Stirratt.

Here is Wilco's set list for the night:

You are my face
War on war
Handshake drugs
Jesus, etc.
Impossible germany
Via Chicago
California Stars
Hate it Here
Walken
I'm the Man Who Loves You

As Wilco left the stage and the road crew started to set up for the main event, I have to admit i really wasn't sure what to expect from Mr Neil Young. I mean, the man is 63 years old. In my mind, I was thinking back to the Bob Dylan show I had been to in May. Dylan is 67 - and his show was ok. It was worth seeing him live - just for the fact that it was the legendary Bob Dylan, but i wouldn't rank that show very high on my list. And the man looked and acted 67, staying behind his keyboard the entire show, not showing too much fanfare or energy.  So i wondered if Neil would be the same.

As Mr Young made his way to center stage one of his road crew came out to help him strap on his guitar - and I thought that might not be a good sign. Then he started playing and a wall of rock and roll hit me in the face. Neil Young has often been called the 'Godfather of Grunge' and when you hear that guitar tone so loud and so live, the reason for that title becomes apparent. The man can play guitar and it sounds best when it's loud enough to make your ears bleed.

The first 7 songs of the set were just plain old loud and dirty with a ton of guitar freak-outs and extended solos that had Neil stomping around the stage like some 17 year old in his garage. It really was un-freaking-believable. He slowed it down for a bit, playing some of his folkier hits - which had the crowd mesmerized, then went full tilt back into the loudness.

Too many highlights for me to mention. It was a 63 year old rock legend giving 10,000 people a lesson in rock and roll. His entire set blew me away. I wasn't sure what i was expecting, but i do know i wasn't expecting that.

Worth every penny spent.

Set list:

Love And Only Love
Hey Hey, My My
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Powderfinger
Spirit Road
Cortez The Killer
Cinnamon Girl
Oh, Lonesome Me
Mother Earth
The Needle And The Damage Done
Unknown Legend
Heart Of Gold
Old Man
Get Back To The Country
Just Singing A Song
Sea Change
When Worlds Collide
Cowgirl In The Sand
Rockin' In The Free World
A Day In The Life (Yes, a Beatles cover!)