Neil Young’s new documentary, Coastal, opened in select theaters worldwide on Thursday, April 17, with additional screenings scheduled in the coming weeks. As previously reported, Coastal, which was directed by Young’s wife, actress Daryl Hannah, gives an intimate and candid look at Neil during his 2023 Coastal solo tour.
Videos by American Songwriter
In a new interview with Clash magazine, Hannah discussed her approach to making the film and the challenges she faced in capturing the footage and audio. She also reflected on a memorable scene that featured a surprise appearance by one of Young’s fellow Canadian music legends.
Young’s Coastal Tour featured 12 solo concerts held in June and July 2023. Nine of the shows were at various California venues, while the other three took place in Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. During the trek, Neil played many songs he’d rarely, if ever, performed live before.
Besides filming the various performances, Hannah captured candid moments with Young on his tour bus, at soundchecks, meeting fans, and more. Daryl told Clash that she took a cinéma verité approach to making Coastal, looking to present events in real time and realistically.
“I wanted … to give the film this natural pacing, the natural pace of life,” she explained. “I wanted it to feel like real life, so I could lull people into being in the moment.”
Hannah pointed out that her approach helped convey Young’s sense of humor.
“Neil is very funny,” she said. “[I]t’s kind of laconic, but that’s the way dry humor works… and that type of humor is dependent on a slower pace of timing. So it was specifically edited to lead in to those moments of life.”
Some Unexpected Highlights
Hannah’s goal was to remain an observer while capturing her husband just being himself. Although she tried to not be part of the film, Young inevitably drew her into the movie by chatting with her, which, she admitted, ended up creating some worthwhile scenes.
“I wanted to be a fly on the wall but Neil kept talking to me, of course!” Daryl shared. “Ultimately, even though I fought against it for months and months, I opted to include some of those moments as they showed an openness, like a window into his soul. Against my initial instincts I ended up including them. It’s a lovely touch, in the end.”
On Young Showcasing Obscure Tunes During the Tour
Hannah also talked about Young’s decision to play mostly rare songs and deep cuts during the Coastal Tour, despite many fans likely wanting to hear some of their favorite tunes at his shows.
“Neil decided that he really wanted to feature songs people probably didn’t know, and it created this wonderful tour, because audiences were just RAPT!” she declared. “I mean, you could hear a pin drop. And some of the theaters were pretty large, but you could hear every lyric. Some of the songs are pretty old, but it was like he was playing them for the very first time. And you feel the emotion all the more, as you don’t have expectations.”
About that Surprise Appearance
At one point in the film, Young’s old friend Joni Mitchell makes an unexpected appearance. Mitchell showed up at one of Neil’s concerts during the trek.
“She’s such a great friend to Neil, and to me as well,” Daryl said. “I met her when I was 17, so I’ve always been friends with her. We just adore her.”
She added, “[Joni] shows up whenever she can, which is so nice. She comes to our screenings, and she came down to that show. At the end, she was singing louder than anyone else in the audience!”
Why Hannah Thinks Coastal Is a Special Film
Hannah told Clash that she feels Coastal gives fans a unique and honest look at her husband.
“I think you really get a window into his soul,” she maintained. “There’s a humanity that comes across that a lot of other documentaries don’t get into—even the ones that I’ve made, some of them are really only about his relationship to the music. And in this film, while there’s a lot of that as well, there’s also how he is as a human being, how he relates to his son, and to me, and to the audience.”
About the Coastal Soundtrack Album
Meanwhile, a companion soundtrack to Coastal was released on Friday, April 18. The 11-track collection was recorded at several venues during the tour.
The album is available on CD, via various digital formats, and as an LP pressed on standard black vinyl or limited-edition clear vinyl.
The clear-vinyl LP comes with an exclusive poster, and is only available online via Young’s The Greedy Hand Store and at independent retailers.
Young’s 2025 Tour Plans
Young will be hitting the road this summer with his new backing group The Chrome Hearts. Their 2025 Love Earth Tour kicks off with a June 18 concert in Rättvik, Sweden, and runs through a July 13 performance in Paris.
The European portion of the tour includes a June 28 headlining performance at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, U.K.
A North American leg will follow. It’s plotted out from an August 8 show in Charlotte, North Carolina, through a September 15 performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Before the tour, Neil will play a solo benefit concert on May 23 at Lakefield College School in Lakefield, Canada. The outdoor event will raise money for the restoration of a farmhouse on the school’s property that was built in 1878, as well as cabins adjacent to the structure. Lakefield is located near Young’s hometown of Omemee, Canada.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.