Neil Young will not be performing a free concert in Ukraine after all.
Earlier this month, the legendary Canadian musician announced that he and his band, the Chrome Hearts, were “in talks” to perform a free concert somewhere in Ukraine as a prelude to Young’s upcoming “Love Earth” World tour.
However, on Thursday, Young announced on his website that the show was cancelled, citing safety concerns.
“We had a good venue, close to a shelter, but the changing situation on the ground was too much,” Young wrote. “I could not in good conscience take my crew and instruments into that area. My apologies to all.”
Young concluded by reaffirming his support for the country, which was invaded by Russian in 2022: “Ukraine is a great country with a good leader.” Young signed off with “SLAVA UKRAINI,” a Ukrainian national salute that means “Glory to Ukraine.”
The news comes amid efforts from U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a limited ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia to rein in a grinding war. On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine said they had each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the largest exchanges since the Russian full-scale invasion started three years ago.
However, on Friday, Russian drones pummelled the Ukrainian Black Sea port city of Odesa, injuring three people and sparking massive fires, officials said Friday, an attack that underlined Moscow’s intention to pursue aerial strikes even as it agreed to temporarily halt strikes on energy facilities.
Young, who turned 79 in the fall, announced his intention to perform in Ukraine in early March, days after an explosive Oval Office meeting between President Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
For decades, Young has been outspoken about politics and his progressive ideals.
A longtime critic of Trump, Young wrote on his website in February that under Trump’s leadership, “the US has lost its standing.”
“Loyalists will never be stronger than Patriots, and Patriots are in the majority here in the USA,” he wrote. “There will be a moment of truth in our country and we will show the world who we really are. At that moment, The USA will again be the leader of the Free World.”
In 2020, Young sued Trump’s campaign for copyright infringement, saying that he didn’t want his music used as a theme song for a “divisive un-American campaign of ignorance and hate,” as the Associated Press reported at the time.
The Love Earth tour is slated to begin on June 18 in Sweden and features dates in Norway, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the United States and Canada.
Young performs in Toronto at Budweiser Stage on Aug. 17.
With files from Hayden Godfrey and the Associated Press.
