Farm Aid confirms comeback with Willie Nelson, Neil Young after going virtual in 2020

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Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson and Neil Young will mark the return of Farm Aid with a massive in-person event in September.

Set to hit the stage at Hartford, Connecticut's Xfinity Theater, the event also includes board members John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Margo Price, plus a host of big-name stars like Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers.

"The experience of the past 18 months has reminded us how much we need each other," Farm Aid president and founder Nelson said in a statement.

""I'm so glad that music is bringing us all back together at Farm Aid 2021 to celebrate family farmers. When we combine music, family farmers, and good food, we have the power to grow the kind of agriculture that strengthens all of us."

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Bettye LaVette, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Allison Russell, Particle Kid and Ian Mellencamp complete the lineup for the 25 September show.

The first Farm Aid was held at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, on Sept. 22, 1985, and has been held annually since 1992, with a virtual 2020 event staged amid the pandemic.

Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar added: "Live performances by artists who are passionate about agriculture and good food are the deep roots that sustain Farm Aid's year-round work for family farmers.

"We're thrilled that Hartford is welcoming Farm Aid back again after our successful 2018 event. We're grateful to the management and staff at Xfinity Theater for working hand-in-hand with us to ensure the safety of our artists, crew, volunteers, farmers, and fans."

Tickets go on sale Friday.