Weather at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic Results in Multiple Cancellations – Resumes After Rain
Willie Nelson’s 2018 4th of July Picnic in Austin, TX was disrupted by heavy thunderstorms that moved through the area on Wednesday, resulting in cancellations in numerous performances. Being held at the Circuit of the Americas just south of Austin proper, fans were told to take shelter at roughly 2:30 p.m. as a line of thunderstorms approached. By 2:50 it began to rain with numerous lightning strikes, and the weather resulted in a 3-hour delay of the festivities.
Organizers re-opened gates at 5 p.m., and Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real took the main stage at 5:25 p.m., but all performances at the 2nd stage for the event were canceled, as were the performances for artists affected by the rain delay. Gene Watson, Johnny Bush, Jamestown Revival, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Asleep At The Wheel, and The Wild Feathers all had their sets canceled. David Allan Coe—who was scheduled to open the festivities on the side stage at 11:30 a.m., did not perform for undisclosed reasons.
Some attendees sat out the nearly 3-hour rain delay, while others left, including some who complained why all side stage performers had to be canceled when there was still opportunity for many of them to perform. Light rain continued to fall on the soggy site as live music resumed, with a 40% chance of continued showers remaining in the forecast for the rest of Wednesday evening. Additional main stage performers at the event include Margo Price, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, The Head and the Heart, Sturgill Simpson, and of course Willie Nelson, who was originally scheduled to take the stage at 11:30. All of these performers were able to make their respective set times.
The good news is the rain significantly cooled temperatures down. Unbearable heat and humidity plagued the first few hours of the fest, but showers left Austin in the very pleasant mid 70’s. Those that stuck around enjoyed one of the coolest temperatures for a Willie 4th of July Picnic in history.
The event was broadcast live on SiruiusXM via Willie’s Roadhouse.
July 4, 2018 @ 4:42 pm
I’m so glad we didn’t go this year. Especially, since we’ve been dogged by so much bad weather (flooding) in Western PA year.
DAC was a now show for undisclosed reasons the year we went too.
July 4, 2018 @ 5:14 pm
I don’t get the whole evacuating the venue. Where the fans any safer in the parking lot?
July 4, 2018 @ 7:57 pm
Insurance, insurance, insurance. Trust me, if there’s a tornado coming, you’re more safe getting out of your car and lying in a ditch than you are seeking shelter in your vehicle. But in your vehicle, you can’t sue anyone for falling debris off an outbuilding. The storms today were heavy, but not severe. A car was probably just fine.
July 4, 2018 @ 5:37 pm
They moved many of us to a media room at the race track. The storm got pretty bad for awhile. They served us lots of beer during that time thankfully. Still bummed about DAC not showing up and for not getting to see Hubbard, Asleep at the Wheel, Shaver, and many others who were cancelled. This is the second time I’ve had the opportunity to see Coe and he didn’t show up either time.
July 4, 2018 @ 5:37 pm
Still happy to be here and glad the show is moving along. Having a blast.
July 4, 2018 @ 8:08 pm
https://youtu.be/PgsQ97PEpOo
July 4, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
Speaking of cancellations, Trig, how about this:
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/country-band-says-facebook-prevented-promotion-song-stand-flag-political-content-223426345.html
It’d be nice if the geek elite weren’t so welcoming of our algorithmic robot overlords.
July 4, 2018 @ 7:54 pm
I love to hate on Facebook, but it appears that Facebook rectified the situation, so I’m not sure it’s anything to get too bothered about. Honestly, the fact that anyone is still giving money to Facebook these days is mind boggling. There are people who built entire empires on Facebook that are now losing their shorts due to algorithm tweaks, so many people deleting their accounts, and folks spending less time on the format in general. Releasing a song and relying on Facebook as your big promotional tool is not a winning strategy.
July 5, 2018 @ 7:05 am
Remind me to avoid The Stage when Im in Nashville in a few weeks. Blocking that turd of a song is a blessing.
July 4, 2018 @ 7:45 pm
I went last year and two years before that and had a great time both years. My only gripes are the lack of any kind of shade and the really short sets allotted to the bands on the small stage. It would be nice if Billy Joe Shaver and Ray Wylie got to play more than 3 songs each rather than sheryl crow or Eric Church getting long sets in. I’m listening to this years picnic on Sirius and I really don’t understand why in the hell Edie Brickell is
there. Her music and singing is boring and uninspired to say the least.
July 4, 2018 @ 8:02 pm
For me that act from the small stage is Asleep at the Wheel. In concert, I could listen to them for hours. However, that doesn’t translate to their albums.
July 4, 2018 @ 8:12 pm
Agreed
July 4, 2018 @ 7:49 pm
That’s rough but you can’t control the weather and better safe than sorry. It sounds like friends who went are still having a good time. That venue is hot at the best of times so glad it cooled down some.
July 4, 2018 @ 8:03 pm
Bummer about Gene Watson’s performance having to be canceled.But safety first,that’s a given
July 5, 2018 @ 7:44 am
On a side note, I just got 2 free months with SiriusXM about a week ago in my new car so I’m still getting acclimated to the 7 or so Country stations. I was driving around listening to the delay on Willie’s station (not knowing then they were broadcasting the whole show live) as well as punching through the others Outlaw, Red White and Booze, Highway etc…. I’ve already noticed some of these stations playing the same songs over and over. While most of us on here don’t ever listen to any sort of radio MOST of the time, I still think it’s a better option than the iHeart shit. I’m not sure I’d pay for it though. I’d appreciate some subscribers thoughts on it. Now maybe if Trigger had his own channel I’d plunk down the bucks……Of course I would!
July 5, 2018 @ 8:04 am
I listen to Prime Country the most and yes, it’s the same artists/songs over and over. You can guarantee that you will hear at least one Garth, Kenny Chesney, and Dwight Yoakam song an hour because they are promoting the other channels those artists have. Prime Country typically plays the huge hits (Boot Scootin’ Boogie, Chattahoochee, I Like It, I Love It) from the artists, occasionally you’ll hear a more obscure song. The best part of that particular station is the Prime Country Countdown where they play the top 30 hits from a certain year – that’s when you get to hear the stuff that doesn’t get played as much.
July 5, 2018 @ 8:06 pm
I go through phases. The playlist get repetitive after awhile. I used to listen exclusively to Outlaw but they seem to have become more Americana focused…. we all could use an new Hank III album, soon. Except Hillbilly Jim’s show (2 hours on weekend)… he’s my favorite DJ on Outlaw. Prime Country is good for a few weeks of the year, but the playlist isn’t very extensive. I do too love the Top 30 from (insert year). Recently, I’ve been listening to Red White and Booze …. I loved the concept of Southern Rock and Country from any era …. the occasional Conway Twitty song help ease the pain of a FGL or Sam Hunt song.
The specials are what make it though…. Hank III had a halloween special a few years back, Farm Aid and 4th of July airings…
July 5, 2018 @ 10:38 am
I listen to Willies Roadhouse off and on,because they play Loretta’s songs.I also listen to Enlighten,because in addition to Country, I also enjoy Southern Gospel,because in my opinion,Southern Gospel has a country sound.The majority of it does anyway.
Not to mention,on Sunday mornings,they also play Gospel songs by Loretta,as well as Alan Jackson,Merle Haggard,Tammy Wynette,George Jones,Joey and Rory,and others.That’s on Enlighten.
That’s as far as Sattelite radio goes.
But,I also listen to WSM,and if I’m driving and I find a station that plays Loretta’s songs, I will listen to them. I just won’ Listen to a so called radio station that won’t play at least one,if not more songs by Loretta.
I also listen to CD’s.