Show Review: Graham Nash at the Academy of Music in Northhamptom, MA on Sept 12, 2026

Graham Nash at the Academy of Music in Northhamptom, MA on Sept 12, 2026

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Legendary singer, songwriter, musician Graham Nash has had an illustrious and industrious career that has spanned more than six decades (from The Hollies, to Crosby, Stills, & Nash, to his solo material). The Academy of Music, the regally refurbished historic Northampton, Massachusetts theatre – with its majestic ambiance and character -was the perfect place to start the first night of his latest 2026 autumn tour.

The 84-year-old Nash, who was seated in a chair center stage playing various acoustic guitars and harmonica, still has an amazing vocal ability, wisely choosing to sing some songs in a lower register, while singing others in his usual tenor range. Throughout the night, Nash was personable and engaging, telling song-stories, humorous and serious anecdotes, and dedicating a number of songs to well-known artists and acquaintances like Joni Mitchell, Rita Coolidge, and Stephen Stills. Before playing a note, he invited the audience in, offering, “We should all be part of the show. If you want to sing along at any point, go right ahead.” Nash continually had patrons participating and involved, singing refrains to the Still’s anthem “Love the One You’re With,” the “No more war!” chant in “Military Madness,” and the singsong chorus to “Our House,” (the lighting crew were on their game, as the house lights came up each time on cue). The crowd collective became palpable, the band fed off their energy, and vice-versa.

Let’s face it, you cannot fully replicate the singular magic and power that Crosby, Stills, and Nash created as a musical unit, but Nash has assembled a stellar group of versatile multi-instrumentalists who provided a top-notch, well-rehearsed, and well-executed performance. His backing band displayed remarkable stage musicianship, moving and swapping instruments for what each song required. Longtime Nash and CSN keyboardist Todd Caldwell played piano, B3 organ, and at the same time played bass on a Dave Smith Mopho SE keyboard, as well as adding tambourine and some vocals at times. Woodstock native Zach Djanikian played electric and acoustic guitars, bass, mandolin, tenor saxophone, drums, and sang backing vocals. New York City arranger/producer/composer Adam Minkoff played drums, bass, electric and acoustic guitars, and sang backing vocals (at one point, he even played drums, bass, and sang at the same time!). Both Djanikian and Minkoff did an extraordinary job providing crucial, spot-on vocals necessary for the three-part harmony on classic CSN songs, and with all the instrument changes, Front-of-House soundman Oz Bagnall did an incredible job mixing the vocals and the various instrumentation for the entire show.

The band delivered impressive renditions of all the CSN classics they played, including: “Marrakesh Express,” “Wasted on the Way,” “Just a Song Before I Go,” “Our House,” “Teach Your Children” (with Minoff playing the Jerry Garcia pedal steel part on a Fender Telecaster Thinline guitar), and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” (which had Minoff singing the trademark Stills bridge, receiving spontaneous applause when he nailed the high note in the “it’s my heart” line). Other surprising highlights of the night were some of the other selections, with Nash giving emotive vocal performances on “The Prison Song,” “Better Days,” “Love Of Mine” (which he dedicated to his wife Amy), and a tour-de-force version of “Cathedral,” which had the band dramatically pausing at times, and you could have heard a pin drop as the rapt audience sat spellbound until the end, when they cheered with joyous applause in one of the many standing ovations of the night.

Graham Nash’s two-hour set was all that one could want and more. He remains vital and inspiring, and hearing these timeless songs performed by these talented musicians was an absolute joy. Don’t miss a chance to see him on this tour.

https://grahamnash.com

SETLIST:

Chicago/We Can Change The World

Marrakesh Express (CSN)

Wasted on the Way (CSN)

I Used to Be a King

The Prison Song

Military Madness

Bus Stop (The Hollies/Graham Gouldman cover)

Immigration Man (Crosby & Nash)

Better Days

Love the One You’re With (Stephen Stills cover)