2018 Outlaw Fest Tour Features Willie Nelson, Sturgill Simpson + More
The Outlaw Fest Tour curated by Blackbird Presents has announced its 2018 dates, locations, and participants. The nine separate dates this summer will include stops in Dallas, Detroit, Bristow, Cincinnati, Noblesville in Indiana, the Woodlands, TX just outside of Houston, and two shows in North Carolina.
Primary headliner Willie Nelson will be joined by Sturgill Simpson on all dates except for one, with select dates also featuring Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Alison Krauss, Brandi Carlile, The Head and the Heart, Delta Rae, Ryan Bingham, Edie Brickell, JD McPherson, and others, including some additions not yet announced on certain dates. Just like with the inaugural Outlaw Fest, the lineups offer fair discussion points on just what “Outlaw” means, but most of the acts are considered subsnative, even if they’re not Outlaw, or even country. See the full lineups below.
Just like last year, the lineup works well with Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic, which will happen right after the last Outlaw Fest date, and don’t be surprised if we see an announcement on the 2018 Farm Aid lineup soon that will also have a similar feel.
Many fans are just happy to see the 85-year-old Willie Nelson out on the road again after having to cancel some dates recently due to coming down with the flu. Willie will also be releasing his latest album Last Man Standing on April 27th, right before the Outlaw Fest tour dates commence.
Most tickets will go on sale March 16th.
Outlaw Fest Dates and Locations:
May 25 — Raleigh @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Alison Krauss
Delta Rae
More TBA
May 26 — Charlotte @ PNC Music Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Brandi Carlile
Old Crow Medicine Show
More TBA
May 27 — Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
More TBA
June 22 — Cincinnati @ Riverbend Music Center
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Old Crow Medicine Show
More TBA
June 23 — Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Old Crow Medicine Show
JD McPhersonMore TB
June 24 — Detroit @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
Willie Nelson & Family
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
The Head and the Heart
Old Crow Medicine Show
More TBA
June 29 — Little Rock @ Verizon Arena
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Ryan Bingham
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle KidMore TBA
June 30 — Dallas @ Starplex Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Ryan Bingham
The Head and the Heart
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
The Wild Feathers
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
More TBA
July 1 — The Woodlands, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
The Head and the Heart
Ryan Bingham
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
The Wild Feathers
Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real
Particle Kid
More TBA
March 14, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I didn’t by 4th of July tickets. I prefer going to Austin, but it cost $1,600 to fly there last time over the 4th of July weekend.
I purchased tickets today on the pre-sale for Cincinnati and Noblesville.
The Head and the Heart is extremely Indie Rock – reminds me of some of the music I listened to 11 years ago. I’m surprised they are getting billing above Old Crow Medicine Show.
I initially thought Elvis Costello (who I’ve seen once in 07) … we got to do that. Then I remembered how odd Van Morrison was in last year’s concert in Hershey.
I’m excited and hoping for some fall dates to drop around Farm Aid later like they did last year.
March 14, 2018 @ 7:09 pm
Correction: It was $1,300 for two round trip tickets.
March 14, 2018 @ 7:47 pm
That’s crazy, I just booked a round trip flight from California to the 4th of July Picnic for $300.
What great lineups this fest has. I really want to see Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats one of these days.
March 14, 2018 @ 8:33 pm
What airline? We also booked maybe a month out.
Nathaniel Rateliff has been part of the past 2 Farm Aids. He’s entertaining. My barber loves him.
March 14, 2018 @ 9:34 pm
Southwest
March 15, 2018 @ 12:45 am
his new album is blowing my mind
March 19, 2018 @ 6:26 pm
I wish Nathaniel Rateliff was playing Dallas.
March 15, 2018 @ 5:43 am
I’m guessing Elvis will pull out stuff from Almost Blue, and tear it up. Looking at that Charlotte show…
March 14, 2018 @ 7:15 pm
I don’t get the point of listing Willie Nelson as the headline act for all the shows.
How likely is is that Willie will appear?
March 14, 2018 @ 7:23 pm
Why wouldn’t he?
March 14, 2018 @ 7:30 pm
The cancellations are during the winter months. I don’t recall him ever cancelling in the summer/ late fall.
I’ve seen him 7 times the past three summers. He was better than some shows, but always showed up and played at least an hour.
March 14, 2018 @ 7:36 pm
summer/ fall …. I don’t know why I typed late fall
He’s never missed a Farm Aid or these Outlaw Fests
March 14, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
Trig, did you ever find any info as to why Sturgill cancelled his spot at the Pot Of Gold Festival this weekend? I played hell trying to get my money back this morning.
March 14, 2018 @ 9:21 pm
Still digging for a reason. Juggling attending SXSW this week in Austin as well. At least they say they’re giving refunds. That’s a huge cancellation.
March 15, 2018 @ 2:35 pm
Yeah I’m incredibly pissed off. Lost a good bit of money and precious time because Simpson cancelled. And it’s not like he’ll say anything on twitter or instagram because he’s too much of a badass to connect with his fans.
March 15, 2018 @ 7:11 am
Could we possibly get a little closer to the West Coast
March 15, 2018 @ 7:33 am
Trigger,
Speaking of festivals, have you been keeping up with Newport folk festival. Lineup is getting insane. Not sure if there are any other festivals in the country that have Sturgill, Tyler, colter, and Jason on the bill. And there’s still more to come.
March 15, 2018 @ 7:44 am
Yes I’ll probably have something on it when they’re done making their announcements. Definitely going all out this year, but the point of Newport has always been the discovery process and a big bill doesn’t really fit that aspect.
March 15, 2018 @ 7:48 am
Exactly why I’ve gone the last five years and will keep going. So many new artists to discover as well as a couple shockers.
March 15, 2018 @ 1:22 pm
Newport is completely sold out, every day, every pass, etc.
I have to try to get on the fan exchange or something. I want to go Friday. Sturg and Tyler on that bill.
March 15, 2018 @ 9:16 am
Nice line up. I need to get to Dallas.
March 15, 2018 @ 9:41 am
Nutted up and paid for the really good seats to the bristow date. Haven’t seen willie in several years. Hope they add more to the lineup though!
March 15, 2018 @ 7:50 pm
Edie Brickell? , Head and Heart? Particle Kid??!!!, Brandi Carlisle??! Outlaw???????
Really? Seriously?
These are Outlaw artists??? What planet is Blackbird on?
March 16, 2018 @ 8:55 am
Don’t y’all think this Outlaw bit has done got out of hand?
April 4, 2018 @ 9:52 am
The 2nd round of dates were released yesterday. They might give a clue to a HUGE Farm Aid location.
April 16, 2018 @ 6:08 pm
Just got our tickets for the Little Rock date. Sturgill, Head and the Heart, yeah.