Written by and photos by Jason Squires and Jena Squires
These days it seems like the world is over saturated with big time musical festivals. From the Coachella’s, Bonnarro’s, Lollapalooza’s, Voodoo’s and the list goes on and on. With that in mind, some of the most important ones with great causes get lost in the mix. Farm Aid is one of them and is the longest-running music festivals with a purpose that has been around almost two and a half decades. That purpose is to help keep the family farmers on their land and guarantee their family farm goods isn’t lost to the corporate machine and are available to the public. This year figure heads of the festival Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews took up camp in St. Louis, MO, playing all day to a sold-out crowd at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
As the crowds poured in to the venue and viewers tuned in at home, Willie Nelson opened up the show introducing the crowd to what they were in store for the day. This year the crowd was treated to a host of bands including Ernie Isley & the Jam Band, Gretchen Wilson, Jason Mraz, and Wilco. Mraz was the main pop attraction this year’s event, and he encouraged fans to continue to stand up and “Raise your voice to participate in something,” going on to say “It’s a good chance to flex those activist muscles.”
Wilco, always a Farm Aid fan favorite, catered to the alt-rockers in the crowd. “We’re Wilco. We’re here for the party as well,” Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy said during the band’s set. Starting with a beautiful version of “Bull Black Nova” the band continued on playing five other songs, including crowd favorites; “Heavy Metal Drummer,” “Casino Queen, ” and “Hoodoo Voodoo.”
As the sun began to set, the four board members of Farm Aid began taking stage, beginning with Dave Matthews, arguably the big draw of the night. Matthews, alongside the equally impressive Tim Reynolds, started his set with “Funny the Way it Is.” In typical style, Matthews mixed songs with his dry, subtle humor. At one point in the set, the two were joined by Willie Nelson to perform “Gravedigger” which brought the crowd to a roar.
Mellencamp took the stage next, opening with “Pink Houses” and followed with “Paper in Fire” and “Small Town.” Mellencamp said he had no idea what he, Young, and Nelson were getting involved with when they started Farm Aid in Chicago 25 years ago. He also said that “calling something progress doesn’t make right”, an obvious jab at the factory farming. Just before “The Authortiy Song” that closed his set, Mellencamp introduced his son Speck, who came out to played guitar with his dad.
Neil Young, wearing his usual “Stop Factory Farming” t-shirt opened his set with “Sail Away” and “Long May you Run.” As usual for his Farm Aid set, Neil was the most vocal and spent huge amounts of time ranting in support of family farming, before joking he was having a wardrobe malfunction and ripped the shirt to reveal a “Go Green, Go Family Farming” t-shirt underneath. He closed his brief set with an energetic rendition of the classic, “Comes A Time.”
Willie Nelson as always closed the evening, featuring his guitarist son Lukas Nelson. Nelson delivered his usual Farm Aid setlist, one that never disappoints. Tonight’s set featured Willie staples like “Always on My Mind” and “On the Road Again.” As the night continued, the setlist continued to keep the audience energized and on its feet with tunes like “Shoeshine Man” and “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.”
Yes Farm Aid is still very much alive trying to fight the good fight, the David to the mighty Goliath that is the Factory Farm machine. To date, Farm Aid has raised nearly $35 million since it began in 1985. Not bad for a festival that doesn’t nearly get enough press as it deserves. Even though the festival has now come and gone this year that doesn’t mean you can’t still send in support. Check out their website and do a little to keep the farmers of today doing what they do best for communities all over the world – including your own.