The poster shows a drawn mountain forest idyll: conifers, barren peaks, a saddled horse-and an ancient VW bus. Symbol of the lifestyle of the tramps and hippies. This rustic scenario is the look for the “Outlaw Music Festival”, which from May 2025 as “America’s largest tourist” for the 10th time.
The 91-year-old country legend Willie Nelson has been an artistic patron since the beginning. Under his rebel flag, sizes and newcomers from Country, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, folk and traditional skirt gather. According to the organizer Blackbird, there will be 35 stops in 22 US states this year.
The highlights in the changing line up are regionally placed. The bodily Bob Dylan meets directly for the Outlaw start in Phoenix/Arizona on May 13th and the days after the days in other states on the Tross with Billy Strings, Sierra Hull or Lily Meola.
The program, which ends in Wisconsin on September 19, continues to be prominent appearances from the wide segment of “handmade pop music”;
Including Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Sheryl Crow, Turnpike Troubadours, The Avett Brothers, Wilco, The Red Clay Strays, Lake Street Dive, Waxahate, Charles Wesley Godwin, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Trampled by Turtles, The Mavericks , Willow Avalon, Waylon Payne, Madeline Edwards, Myron Elkins and Tami Neilson.
“What a great lineup to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this tour”, Spiritus Rector Willie Nelson is quoted in a statement. “I can’t wait to bring this celebration to the fans with friends and family.”
Counter movement to all electronic or modernist varieties in pop
The “Outlaw” camp sees itself as a musical countermovement to all electronic or modernist varieties in pop, which mainly comes from people of white skin. However, you expressly see yourself as not as reactionary or politically right.
In the past, musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, John Fogerty, John Mellencamp, Luke Combs, Neil Young or Robert Plant & Alison Krauss played.
If you are planning a trip to the USA between May and September and want to stop by at the “Outlaw Festival”, you can find out about the respective lineup at the organizer.