Blackbird Presents and Willie Nelson’s team anticipated that when the Outlaw Music Festival first debuted in Scranton, PA in 2016, Blackbird Presents and his team would envision it becoming a touring franchise. Since 2016, it has done exactly that bringing iconic artists such as Neil Young, Van Morrison, ZZ Top, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church Sheryl Crow Tyler Childers Sturgill Simpson & Avett Brothers together on stage with Willie Nelson to make for unforgettable musical memories at outdoor amphitheaters across America & more.
The Outlaw Music Festival provides a unique live experience; its headliner stays onstage throughout the performance, while other members of its cast rotate for each tour stop, creating a dynamic show experience. On this year’s 2024 version of this tour – stopping off in Virginia Beach this Wednesday at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater – Bob Weir and Wolf Bros. took to the stage with an intimate set that fit well with its outlaw theme.
Weir’s creative leadership was perfect for an acoustic setting. His song choices such as “Playing in the Band,” and “Mama Tried” showed his cowboy side while the tempos that would have seemed too slow or long in an arena-rock setting were perfectly timed and tuned-in with this intimate setting. Furthermore, Weir and his band showed they truly enjoy each other’s company while honing their craft as one unit.
Willie Nelson came back out after Weir and Wolf Bros had wrapped their set to deliver classic outlaw country music to fans eager to hear it. With an unmistakably great voice that still sounds strong at 86 years old, Nelson ran through 23 songs on Trigger with help from his trusty guitar Trigger; old favorites were mixed in as tributes were paid to fellow outlaws Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings; to give his voice a break during one point, Micah Nelson took over lead vocal duties for several tunes before taking over lead vocal duties himself at one point – likely so as to rest his voice a while giving his son Micah micah joined in as well.
This summer, The Outlaw Music Festival is set to make two more stops in Upstate New York. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss with Celisse and Trampled by Turtles will perform in Syracuse on July 7, while John Mellencamp and Southern Avenue take the stage at Darien Lake Amphitheater in Burgettstown on Sept 14. Tickets go on sale this Friday morning starting at 10 am (click here for more info).