Farm Aid 2017 Headliners Include Neil Young, John Mellencamp and More
Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews will return to perform for the long-running event's 2017 edition, headlining an eclectic roster that includes veteran acts as well as newer artists.
This year's Farm Aid, scheduled to take place Sept. 16th at the KeyBank Pavilion in Burgettstown, Penn., finds Nelson, Young, Mellencamp and Matthews leading a lineup rounded out by Blackberry Smoke, the Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Insects vs. Robots, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Valerie June and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Tickets are expected to be made available to Farm Aid supporters via a pre-sale on June 14, and open to the general public on June 23.
As Nelson pointed out in a press release, the location underscores the event's mission statement. "Family farm agriculture is the heart of Pennsylvania," said Nelson. "What's happening in western Pennsylvania and the region shows us that we can count on family farmers to strengthen our communities and connect people. Whether we live in rural or urban places, food — and music — brings us all together."
Rolling Stone notes that this year marks the first time Farm Aid has been held in Burgettstown since 2002 — which was the first time the show was held in the Northeast. That year's concert, which also featured performances from Nelson, Young, Mellencamp and Matthews, sold out in roughly 48 hours.
For Young fans, Farm Aid serves as an atypically rare opportunity to see him onstage this year. Since playing Desert Trip and his Bridge School benefit last fall, he's canceled a number of tour dates, although he's since been spotted in the studio with rapper D.R.A.M. and composer Chris Walden.
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