Willie Nelson, Back on the Road After Illness, Announces ‘Outlaw Music Festival’ Tour Dates
Willie Nelson, back on the road after cancelling multiple shows due to the flu and respiratory issues, is back on the road and plans to stay there: Today he announced the lineup for the first leg of Outlaw Music Festival Tour for summer 2018. The traveling show’s lineup includes Nelson and his band, Sturgill Simpson, Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Alison Krauss, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, The Head and the Heart, Old Crow Medicine Show, Ryan Bingham, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, The Wild Feathers, JD McPherson, Delta Rae, and Particle Kid. The tour is produced by Nelson with Blackbird Presents and Live Nation and sponsored by Southern Comfort. More artists and dates will be announced in the coming weeks; the tour’s lineups for specific markets are detailed below.
The first leg of North America’s biggest touring festival will stop in nine cities, beginning in Raleigh, NC, on May 25, 2018 and ending on July 1, 2018 in Texas. Each festival tour date will feature a range of attractions including local cuisine, craft beers, and crafts by local artisans. The inaugural Outlaw Music Festival made its debut in 2016 featuring Willie Nelson & Family, Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Sheryl Crow, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Lee Ann Womack, and Cabinet. Nelson took the concept on the road last year and performed for more than 100,000 fans.
Nelson, who will release a new album called “Last Man Standing” on April 27, two days before his 85th birthday, said in a statement: “We had so much fun on the Outlaw Music Festival Tour last year that we decided to do it again! See y’all out on the road this summer.”
“Family. That’s what this touring group of artists, fans, and friends are when we come together for our annual Outlaw Music Festival Tour. I am thrilled to continue this journey with Willie, this extraordinary group of performers, and Live Nation,” says Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Presents.
“This started out with a one-show storyboard two years ago. Now, you can hear, feel, smell and immerse locally in that joyous exuberance,” says Geoff Gordon, Live Nation Philadelphia Regional President. “Outlaw is really just a celebration of everything Willie, which the Picnic has been for decades.”
In addition to the Outlaw tour, Nelson has multiple solo concert dates scheduled into November of this year.
FRIDAY, MAY 25
RALEIGH, NC – COASTAL CREDIT UNION MUSIC PARK AT WALNUT CREEK
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Alison Krauss
Delta Rae
Other Artists To Be Announced
SATURDAY, MAY 26
CHARLOTTE, NC – PNC MUSIC PAVILION
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Brandi Carlile
Old Crow Medicine Show
Other Artists To Be Announced
SUNDAY, MAY 27
BRISTOW, VA – JIFFY LUBE LIVE
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Other Artists To Be Announced
FRIDAY, JUNE 22
CINCINNATI, OH – RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Old Crow Medicine Show
Other Artists To Be Announced
SATURDAY, JUNE 23
NOBLESVILLE, IN – RUOFF HOME MORTGAGE MUSIC CENTER
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Old Crow Medicine Show
JD McPherson
Other Artists To Be Announced
SUNDAY, JUNE 24
DETROIT, MI – DTE ENERGY MUSIC THEATRE
Willie Nelson & Family
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
The Head and the Heart
Old Crow Medicine Show
Other Artists To Be Announced
FRIDAY, JUNE 29
LITTLE ROCK, AR – VERIZON ARENA
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Ryan Bingham
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
DALLAS, TX – STARPLEX PAVILION
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Ryan Bingham
The Head and the Heart
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
The Wild Feathers
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced
SUNDAY, JULY 1
THE WOODLANDS, TX – CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL PAVILION
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Ryan Bingham
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
The Wild Feathers
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
Other Artists To Be Announced
Related stories
Concert Review: Hollywood Goes Honky-Tonk as Margo Price Channels Merle, Willie
Willie Nelson Drops New Single and Video, 'Last Man Standing' (Watch)
Johnny Cash Poems Set to New Music by Chris Cornell, Willie Nelson on 'Forever Words' Album
Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!
