Legendary country singer Willie Nelson returns to the road in 2018 after overcoming an illness, and he’s bringing a variety of musicians with him for the 2018 Outlaw Music Festival Tour. Among that list of artists are Elvis Costello, Sturgill Simpson, Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Ryan Bingham. More acts will likely be announced in the next few weeks.
The Outlaw Music Festival Tour is produced by Nelson with Blackbird Presents and Live Nation and is sponsored by Southern Comfort. It’s inaugural year was back in 2016, but Nelson switched things up a bit last year by taking his show to the road and found success.
This year, it starts in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 25th continuing through most of the summer. So far, Wilson announced nine scheduled dates, including Dallas, Detroit, Little Rock and Cincinnati. The last tour top is scheduled for July 1 in The Woodlands, Texas. Each tour date features attractions such as local cuisine, craft beers and crafts by local artisans.
Nelson plans to release a new album, Last Man Standing, on April 27, just two days before his 85th birthday. Additionally, he has solo tour dates scheduled into November of this year. While he is excited for all of that, he also can’t wait to get on the road with this tour.
“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,” Nelson said in a statement, according to Variety.
Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird presents, added, “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.”
Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 16th around noon.
2018 Outlaw Music Festival Tour Schedule:
May 25 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC
Willie Nelson & Family with Sturgill Simpson, Alison Krauss, Delta Rae, and more TBA
May 26 – PNC Music Pavilion – Charlotte, NC
Willie Nelson & Family with Sturgill Simpson, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Brandi Carlile, Old Crow Medicine Show, and more TBA
May 27 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA
Willie Nelson & Family with Sturgill Simpson, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, and more TBA
June 22 – Riverband Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
Willie Nelson & Family with Sturgill Simpson, The Head and the Heart, Old Crow Medicine Show, and more TBA
June 23 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Noblesville, IN
Willie Nelson & Family with Sturgill Simpson, The Head and the Heart, Old Crow Medicine Show, JD McPherson, and more TBA
June 24 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Detroit, MI
Willie Nelson & Family with Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, The Head and the Heart, Old Crow Medicine Show, and more TBA
June 29 – Verizon Arena – Little Rock, AR
Willie Nelson & Family with Sturgill Simpson, The Head and the Heart, Ryan Bingham, Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real, Particle Kid, and more TBA
June 30 – Starplex Pavilion – Dallas, TX
Willie Nelson & Family, with Sturgill Simpson, Ryan Bingham, The Head and the Heart, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, The Wild Feathers, Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real, Particle Kid, and more TBA
July 1 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX
Willie Nelson & Family with Sturgill Simpson, The Head and the Heart, Ryan Bingham, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, The Wild Feathers, Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real, Particle Kid, and more TBA
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