Neil Young Quietly Released a Blazing, Hourlong Concert Film for Free

Neil Young has released a free concert film titled Corduroy Plants via the Neil Young Archives. Directed by Daryl Hannah, the hourlong film serves as a companion to the live LP As Time Explodes and features 11 songs paired with historical and news footage, according to the archives.

The film chronicles Young’s 2025 summer tour with the Chrome Hearts. While it centers on the tracks from As Time Explodes, the film does not include the songs “After the GoldRush” or “Looking Forward.”

Hannah’s direction alternates between stage performances and news events. Footage of the White House East Wing’s destruction and clips of Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk appear during “Be the Rain,” while “Vampire Blues” is paired with images of oil spills.

Other visual pairings include migrant workers during “Like a Hurricane” and images of the Holocaust and World War II during “Cortez the Killer.” The film also includes footage of more recent conflicts.

Did You Know? The Corduroy Plants concert film contains 11 songs, but it omits two tracks found on the companion live LP, As Time Explodes.

Why was the film released without promotion?

Young did not issue a press release or use social media to announce the film. He stopped using most social media platforms because of their connections to the Trump administration, according to the Neil Young Archives.

The artist rarely grants interviews. This approach left fans to discover the free release on their own through the archives website.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that by bypassing traditional promotional cycles and social media, Young reinforces his established pattern of autonomy. This strategy shifts the discovery process to his own platform, ensuring the context of his political and social commentary remains controlled.

What other projects are coming from the Neil Young Archives?

Young is currently finalizing the fourth volume of his archives box set. This upcoming volume will cover his history through the end of the 2004 Greendale tour.

The first three volumes previously documented the periods of 1963-72, 1972-76, and 1976-87. Young stated that “The Volume Dealers have been busy” and the project is now entering a completion phase for songs uncovered over the last few years.

A new album titled Second Song is also expected. Recorded with the Chrome Hearts at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studios in Malibu, California, the album consists primarily of new material.

The album may include two or three previously unheard songs written around 1963-64.

When will Neil Young perform next?

Young is scheduled to appear at Farm Aid on Sept. 26 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This follows a surprise four-song set he performed on May 22 for David Suzuki’s 90th-birthday concert in Vancouver.

Neil Young – Corduroy Plants (Official Video)

The artist originally planned a summer tour of Europe with the Chrome Hearts. However, those dates were pulled for reasons Young did not fully articulate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed the Corduroy Plants film?
The film was directed by Young’s wife, Daryl Hannah.

Where was the album Second Song recorded?
It was recorded at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studios in Malibu, California.

What time period does Volume 4 of the archives cover?
It brings the story to the end of the Greendale tour in 2004.

How do you feel about artists releasing major works without traditional promotion?