Written by: Zoe Loos
Starting Sunday (July 5) in Milwaukee, Neil Young began his new tour—The Rebel Content Tour. This exciting tour features not only the brilliant mind and music of Young but also Promise of the Real and special guest Band of Horses. Here are ten things to know about the tour.
1. Neil Young along with Micah Nelson and Promise of the Real created the concept album The Monsanto Years. Released on June 16, it’s a politically/ecologically charged album filled with deep messages about everything from the environment to the economy. It’s also Young’s 36th album in his discography.
2. The LA-based rock band Promise of the Real are fronted by Lukas Nelson and the band has an amazing amount of technical acuity and prowess. There is also a great mixture of melodic, husky vocals and virtuoso playing. Promise of the Real proves to be a great contribution to Neil Young’s new album. If you’ve never heard Promise of the Real, totally check them out now!
3. Lukas and Micah Nelson are the sons of Willie Nelson.
4. Coincidentally, Lukas met POTR drummer Anthony LoGerfo at a Neil Young concert years ago.
5. This concert’s sets will not only feature Neil Young solo and acoustic, but it will also a feature a full electric show with Promise of the Real. Sets will feature old favorites and exciting new material.
6. The Monsanto Years album covers not only the theme of sustainable farming, but also environmental and human rights issues such as climate change, corporate accountability, social justice, renewable energy, ocean conservation, and endangered species.
7. The new album is supported by a number of respected activists. At each venue during the tour these organizations will have booths to provide information to concertgoers. These organizations have been named “The Village of Action.”
8. Some of “The Village” participants include: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Greenhorns, The California Grange, Center for Biological Diversity, Sea Shepard, Institute for Responsible Technology, GMO Free USA, Idle No More, Move to Amend, The Beehive Design Collective, 350.org, Rising Tide, and more.
9. Not only is The Monsanto Years an album it’s also also a film! The Film: The Monsanto Years Film is a documentation of nine of Young and Promise of the Real’s tracks captured during live rehearsals. The footage was filmed by Don Hannah.
10. The album cover is a spoof of the legendary painting “American Gothic” by Grant Wood. It features Young and his girlfriend Daryl Hannah taking the place of the painting’s original couple.
