www.Billboard.com
by: Gil Kaufman
When Willie Nelson calls to say he’s putting together a little summer tour, the only answer is “yes, where do I need to be and when?” That’s clearly the case with the country icon’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour, which will kick off on July 1 at New Orleans’ Shrine on Airline with an A-list group of pals including The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, plus other performers.
Other shows on the six-city outing that puts a premium on craft beers, local eats and crafts — a sequel of sorts to September’s one-off Outlaw Music Festival in Scranton, Penn., — will feature sets from Hayes Carll, Margo Price, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and My Morning Jacket.
The first leg of announced shows will run through a July 16 gig in Syracuse, N.Y. “We had such a blast launching and playing last year’s Outlaw Music Festival in Scranton, we had to take it out on the road this summer,” Nelson said a statement announcing the festival. “After last year’s Outlaw Music Festival, we made it our mission to assemble an extraordinary lineup and bring this experience to music fans all over the country,” added Blackbird Presents CEO Keith Wortman. “I’m looking forward to more unforgettable music moments and I’m honored to be working with these incredible musicians.”
Tickets for the general public go on sale on Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m. local time. Nelson, 83, will release his latest album, God’s Problem Child, on April 28, and he’s slated to take the stage at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, the next day.
Lineups and dates for the Outlaw Music Festival (more artists to be added later):
July 1 – New Orleans, LA @ Shrine on Airline
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Sheryl Crow
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
More TBA
July 2 – Dallas, TX @ Starplex Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Sheryl Crow
The Avett Brothers
Hayes Carll
Margo Price
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
July 6 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Sheryl Crow
Margo Price
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
July 8 – Detroit, MI @ Joe Louis Arena
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan and His Band
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Sheryl Crow
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
July 9 – Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan and His Band
Sheryl Crow
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Margo Price
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
July 16 – Syracuse, NY @ Lakeview Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
My Morning Jacket
Sheryl Crow
Margo Price