Months away from becoming an octogenarian, Neil Young remains as spunky, fearless and outspoken as any major artist of his generation — let alone those who followed. Making his first Chicago appearance in more than seven years on Wednesday at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, the iconic singer-guitarist delivered a rousing 110-minute concert steeped in political dissent and social commentary. A musty greatest-hits revue this was not.

Many of Young’s signature facets were on display. A packed crowd witnessed his cantankerous side when, frustrated with uncooperative equipment, Young flashed a sour expression and slugged the microphone stand, knocking it to the ground. Fans saw him gentle and relaxed, a folkie strumming an acoustic guitar and sonically summoning moonlight, breeze

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