The Outlaw Music Festival 2024 is hitting the road this summer from June 21 to September 17. This unique festival celebrates the greatest Americana acts of all time, along with diverse musical styles and genres – from country and folk down to rock and blues – that are outside mainstream music, uniting multiple generations across geographies for an unforgettable and immersive music experience of legendary rhythms and timeless melodies.
This year, legendary outlaw Willie Nelson is hitting 15 states from coast to coast for 25 shows, and he’s bringing Bob Dylan with him. They will be accompanied by “the biggest and best yet” star-studded lineup, with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for the first leg and John Mellencamp on the second. According to Nelson, he is thrilled to get back on the road again with his family and friends, who are playing the music they love for the fans they love.
Now, hop on with us as we detail everything you need to know about this event.
What is the Outlaw Music Festival?
The Outlaw Music Festival debuted in 2016 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, featuring performances by The Willie Nelson & Family, Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Sheryl Crow, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Lee Ann Womack, and Cabinet. It was warmly welcomed by fans, making it a sold-out show. That success prompted Blackbird, Rothbaum, and Nelson to develop it into one of the biggest annual touring franchises. Sheryl Crow returned for another round the following year, and Bob Dylan joined on several dates.
Over the years, previous performers have returned to grace the festival stage, and more big-name artists have also joined in on the summer fun, like Alison Krauss, Phil Lesh and Friends, Chris Stapleton, and Robert Plant, to name a few. And, of course, it has also welcomed new names in the industry, introducing them, giving them space to showcase their talents, and, more importantly, fostering a stronger outlaw community that will carry on for years – even decades.
Gov’t Mile frontman Warren Haynes, who was part of last year’s lineup, shared with CityBeat, “The festival itself attracts so many different kinds of music because so many different artists and bands are fans of Willie and wanna be a part of that scene. He transcends boundaries.” WOUB Public Media’s Ian Saint also noted, “Younger musicians were excited to be alongside the veterans, and the torchbearers were delighted to share the spotlight with up-and-comers.”
2024 Tour Locations Unveiled
Since its inception in 2016, Willie Nelson has done 141 shows. And this year, he’s adding 25 more.
The tour will kick off on June 21 at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Georgia. It will traverse North Carolina, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania for the first leg of the tour. Moving on, the festival will stop by California, Idaho, Washington (including Gorge Amphitheatre, which is known for being one of the most scenic concert venues in the world and even winning an award for it!), Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio.
For You
Then, it will return to Pennsylvania before making its second to last stop in Michigan. Finally, the tour will culminate on September 17 at Darien Lake Amphitheater in Buffalo, New York.
Tickets, which opened on February 27 for presale and March 1 for the general sale, for all dates are quickly selling out. Some fans are booking multiple shows and even flying in to participate in the annual festival!
Stellar Lineup of the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival
Everyone’s excited to see Willie Nelson and Family for another round of legendary outlaw acts; this year, Bob Dylan is joining him. Dylan performed with the singer for several shows in 2017, but this would be his first time participating in the entire tour run.
The two have been friends for decades. It was 1976 when they first played together to the tune of “Gotta Travel On” during a Rolling Thunder Revue stop in Houston. In 1993, they collaborated and co-wrote the song “Heartland.” They also shared stages despite Dylan’s reputation for not doing so. And now, they’re going to relive those moments again.
The star-studded music festival lineup also includes Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Celisse, who will perform for the first 10 dates. John Mellencamp and Brittney Spencer will take over for the next few shows, with superstar Billy Strings joining them for a special night at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington (August 10). The Grammy nominee soul and roots band Southern Avenue will continue where Spencer left off and close the tour with Mellencamp, Dylan, and Nelson.
Can Kids Attend the Outlaw Music Festival?
Well, we should start ‘em young, right? So, yes! It’s open to all ages and is a very family-friendly music festival. Most venues allow kids under 2 years of age to enter without a ticket, but as the organizer noted, it’s best to confirm the specific venue’s policy by contacting them directly.
Experience More Than Just Music
Aside from the VIP ticket, which seats you in the first 20 rows and provides an official tour merchandise package, other ways exist to maximize the experience. And that is through the Outlaw Village, which features local food, crafts, and other vendors!
That’s a wrap on the Outlaw Music Festival Tour 2024! Tune in for more updates on one of the biggest live music events here. Meanwhile, share some of your experiences with us in the comments below!
