Farm Aid 2026: Backstage and Onstage With Neil Young, Nathaniel Rateliff, More
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Lukas Nelson
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell The son of Willie Nelson did double duty at Farm Aid, playing his own show, which included “Just Outside of Austin,” and sitting in with his father’s headlning set.
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Mickey Raphael and Jesse Welles
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Mickey Raphael, Willie Nelson’s longtime harmonica player, gave protest singer Jesse Welles a harmonica backstage.
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Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Farm Aid board member Neil Young led the Chrome Hearts through a set that included “Old Man,” “Powderfinger,” and a closing “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
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Micah Nelson
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Micah Nelson, backstage at Farm Aid 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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Margo Price
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Margo Price paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a performance of “9 to 5.”
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Turnpike Troubadours
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Red Dirt torchbearers the Turnpike Troubadours pose backstage at the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach.
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Mon Rovîa
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell The folk singer Mon Rovîa made his Farm Aid debut.
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John Mellencamp
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Classics like “Pink Houses,” “Paper in Fire,” and the farmer’s lament “Rain on the Scarecrow” were all part of John Mellencamp’s set.
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Lily Meola
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Lily Meola delivered songs off her debut LP, Lucky to Be, and also sang “Will You Remember Mine?” with Willie Nelson during the Red Headed Stranger’s headlining performance.
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Sierra Ferrell
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Grammy-winning Americana singer Sierra Ferrell paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a cover of Parton’s “Here I Am.”
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I’m With Her
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell The trio of Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan perform as I’m With Her at Farm Aid.
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Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Nathaniel Rateliff shows off his Farm Aid patch backstage.
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Kyle Nix
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Turnpike Troubadours fiddle player Kyle Nix onstage at Farm Aid 2026.
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Dave Matthews
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds’ set included two DMB staples with guest Jake Renick Simpson, “Crush” and “Ants Marching.”
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Spooner and Karen Oldham
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Spooner Oldham with his wife Karen backstage. Oldham, who plays keys in Neil Young’s Chrome Hearts, was also a member of the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.
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Ty Myers
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell Austin, Texas, songwriter Ty Myers recently released his tribute album to Willie Nelson, Two Braids & the Truth.
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Willie’s Singalong
Image Credit: Jonathan Terrell This year’s Farm Aid performers gather around Willie Nelson for the festival-closing gospel medley.