Willie Nelson Cancels Most Indoor Concerts Indefinitely

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photo: Brad Coolidge

This story has been updated.

Willie Nelson will turn 89-years-old on April 29th, and will release his latest record A Beautiful Time on that date as well. But you won’t be seeing Willie Nelson in many indoor venues moving forward in 2022. Announced on Monday (2-14), Willie Nelson has cancelled all but a few indoor shows, and Willie’s camp has also let it be known that he will only be playing outdoor shows for the foreseeable future.

The change affects multiple upcoming dates, including the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame on March 10th and 11th in Nashville, a sold out date at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth on March 19th, the Peoria Civic Center Theater on April 20th, the Silver Creek Event Center date on April 22nd in New Buffalo, Michigan, and April 25th in Nashville, Indiana at the Brown County Music Center.

However, a few dates that could still be considered indoor concerts have yet to officially be cancelled, including the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans on March 13th, the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio March 21st and 22nd, and the Moody Center in Austin April 29th and 30th with George Strait and the Randy Rogers Band.

Find a full list of Willie Nelson’s updated tour dates below, including multiple dates with Zach Bryan and Charley Crockett opening shows.

Though no specific reason has been given for the move, it could be a combination of the overwhelming consensus among health officials that outdoor transmission of COVID-19 is very rare and outdoor settings are a much safer environment for congregation, and with Willie’s long history of breathing problems, outdoor venues might be the safest and easiest environment for the 88-year-old to play.

UPDATE: On Monday afternoon, the publicist for Willie Nelson clarified, “We are canceling our indoor headline shows until the COVID situation improves, as the safety of the audience and Willie and his touring personnel are of the utmost importance. When we are able, we will look to make up shows when possible.”

Willie Nelson has canceled numerous shows over the last few years due to illness and breathing problems, and has recently been performing while sitting down for the first time in his career. He is not currently known to be suffering from any illness, and the move could just be precautionary.

Under those new stipulations, Willie Nelson has also booked a new outdoor show on April 22nd in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, with Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors and Peytan Porter opening. Willie Nelson is also expected to play his annual Luck Reunion at his ranch just outside of Austin on Thursday, March 17th as part of SXSW, but a lineup for the event has yet to be announced.

Updated Willie Nelson Tour Dates:

3/10 – CMA Theater – Nashville, TN – CANCELLED
3/11 – CMA Theater – Nashville, TN – CANCELLED
3/13 – Saenger Theatre – New Orleans, LA
3/14 – 713 Music Hall – Houston, TX
3/19 – Billy Bob’s Texas – Ft. Worth – CANCELLED
3/21 – Majestic Theatre – San Antonio, TX
3/22 – Majestic Theatre – San Antonio, TX
4/20 – Peoria Civic Center – Peoria, IL – CANCELLED
4/22 – Four Winds Casino – New Buffalo, MI – CANCELLED
4/23 – Kroger Field – Chris Stapleton: Concert for Kentucky – Lexington, KY
4/24 – CCNB Ampitheatre – Simpsonville, SC
4/25 – Brown County Music Center – Nashville, IN – CANCELLED
4/29 – Moody Center – Austin, TX w/ George Strait, Randy Rogers – Austin, TX
4/30 – Moody Center – Austin, TX w/ George Strait, Randy Rogers – Austin, TX
5/6 – Firstbank Ampitheater w/ Charley Crockett – Franklin, TN
5/7 – Brandon Ampitheater w/ Charley Crockett – Brandon, MS
5/8 – New Orleans Jazz Fest – New Orleans, LA
5/28 – Whitewater Ampitheatre w/ Zach Bryan – New Braunfels, TX
5/28 – Whitewater Ampitheatre w/ Zach Bryan – New Braunfels, TX
6/3 – Ozarks Ampitheater – Camden, MO
8/4 – Windy City Smokeout – Chicago, IL
8/6 – Musikfest – Bethlehem, PA

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