Farm Aid 2020: Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews play at virtual concert for farmers, fans are loving the vibe
Willie Nelson recently finished hosting a virtual musical event, Farm Aid 2020, in lieu of a regular concert due to the recently announced coronavirus lockdown. Along with seasoned music professionals and Farm Aid board members like Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, and Willie Nelson's sons, Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson, these musicians banded together to play via live stream for a charitable cause called "At Home With Farm Aid." Farm Aid 2020 promises to provide COVID-19 relief to farmers and ranchers by making comprehensive resources available, and by connecting them to legal, financial, and mental health support channels, as well as emergency financial grants.
The 80-minute concert just concluded, it started streaming at 8 pm EST on AXS TV and on the Farm Aid website. In addition to this, AXS TV viewers will also be treated to last year's Farm Aid performances from Nelson, Mellencamp, Young, Matthews and more on Sunday night, April 12 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT. This two-and-a-half-hour special will feature bonus footage and stand-out performances from AXS TV’s live broadcast of the 2019 Farm Aid festival.
The AXS TV special promises to give viewers the best seat in the house as they are treated to sets from Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Tanya Tucker, Margo Price, Yola, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, and more. The special will also feature the television premiere of Bonnie Raitt’s previously-unaired performance of 'Devil Got My Woman'.
Fans were quite excited about the Farm Aid live stream, judging by the response on social media. One fan said, "Neil Young busting out 'Vampire Blues' fireside in black-and-white on FarmAid just a while ago. I mean, come on." Another viewer who enjoyed John Mellencamp's performance said, "We appreciate your compassion for the farmers and what Americans are going through at this time. We are looking to the heavens... Thanks, John!" Other admirers were enthralled by Dave Matthews's performance, saying "You killed it Dave!!!"
Other fans found Willie's performance quite entertaining. "I cracked up at the end of tonight’s FarmAid as Willie Nelson sits up straight and puffs out his chest to masterfully and instantly straighten out the graphic on his Willies Reserve T-shirt and declaring, 'Grow anything you can!'" Viewers were also thrilled by the entire virtual concert experience, saying "Amazing home concerts from amazing artists to great people who care! Thank you!"