Daryl Hannah Shows Neil Young's True Colors in Intimate Tour Doc 'Coastal'
You know, when people think of Neil Young, there's often this mythic image that comes to mind—intimidating, enigmatic, maybe even a bit aloof. But according to Daryl Hannah, who not only lives with him but just directed an entire documentary about his 2023 solo tour, that couldn't be further from the truth. “He’s completely guileless,” she says. And after watching Coastal , you start to believe it.
This isn't some polished, overproduced music doc—it’s raw, personal, and totally stripped down. Daryl shot most of it on her phone (yes, really—not even a new model), and the vibe is pure honesty. You see Neil, now in his late 70s, stepping back into the spotlight after four years, surrounded not by a band but by his dogs. And alpacas. And chickens. And a horse. The man performed livestreams from a barn during lockdown, and all the animals just gathered to listen like it was their own private concert. I mean, come on—how wholesome is that?
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But the real beauty of Coastal isn’t in the music alone—it’s in the mundane. Long stretches take place on his tour bus, riding shotgun with his longtime driver Jerry Don Burden, just talking about snacks, traffic, and whatever else comes to mind. You’d think that might get boring, but it’s actually endearing. There’s something captivating about watching a music legend just be . Whether he’s drumming on his knees, chatting with his son Ben (who has cerebral palsy), or joking about making it through a show without needing a bathroom break, it’s all so real.
And that’s what Daryl set out to show: the unfiltered, unpretentious Neil Young. No stage persona, no rockstar ego. Just a guy who follows his creative instincts, whether they lead him to an ancient Steinway or a beat-up guitar gifted by Stephen Stills decades ago. He doesn’t rehearse. He changes his setlist every night. Sometimes, he plays a song at soundcheck and never touches that instrument again for the actual show. It drove Daryl crazy during editing, but it’s part of what makes this so authentic.
Of course, the film doesn’t shy away from the bigger stuff either. Neil’s political opinions? Still loud and clear. His beef with the BBC? His headline-grabbing Glastonbury pullout and retraction? All there. There’s even a moment where he shares concern about whether he’ll be allowed back into the U.S. because of his outspoken views—especially about Trump. He’s not afraid to speak his mind, even if it costs him.
But at its core, Coastal isn’t about controversy. It’s about connection—between a man and his music, his wife, his son, his animals, his fans. Daryl Hannah didn’t just make a documentary. She captured a portrait of a man who refuses to compromise, who finds peace in spontaneity, and who, despite the decades and the fame, still plays like it’s just him and the sound.
So yeah, people might think Neil Young is intimidating. But through Daryl’s lens, we see the truth: he’s just a soulful guy with a piano, a purpose, and a pack of dogs at his feet.
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