Willie Nelson, 91, Plays Outlaw Festival Following Illness

Willie Nelson performing “On the Road Again” during his 4th of July picnic in Camden, NJ, in 2024

Willie Nelson made a triumphant return to the stage for his first performance of the 2024 edition of the Outlaw Music Festival, serving as the headliner of his annual 4th of July picnic. The 91 year-old legend had missed the first eight concerts of the annual tour due to an undisclosed illness. Nelson took to the stage on Thursday night to thunderous applause from the audience, against the backdrop of the Stars and Stripes, at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, NJ. His 20-song set, while seated, followed performances by Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and Mavis Staples, among others.

He is here!!! pic.twitter.com/jSGtLKszz6

— Joyce Rizer (@joycerizer) July 5, 2024

Dear Lord, thank you for @WillieNelson https://t.co/KZC70h4MEz

— Anne Margaret Daniel (@venetianblonde) July 5, 2024

On June 21, Nelson’s social media platforms announced that the star was “not feeling well.” His medical team ordered him to rest for several days. More days passed and his doctors finally cleared him to return. He opened the performance with “Whiskey River.”

The setlist also included such classics as “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” and “On the Road Again.”

Willie Nelson, alive. pic.twitter.com/656FBfVPqt

— stale cooper (@stalecooper) July 5, 2024

Willie live!!! #4thofJuly #willienelson #legend pic.twitter.com/D0CInFHk9S

— NoOrdinaryGirl (@Vero515Girl) July 5, 2024

Nelson released a new studio album, The Border, on May 31. The title, via his longtime label, Legacy Recordings, is said to be the 152nd of his incredible career. His enormous musical library is available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.

The Outlaw Music Festival made its debut in 2016 in Scranton, Pa. The sold-out show was so well received that it became one of North America’s biggest annual touring franchises. Musicians such as Chris Stapleton, Neil Young, Luke Combs, Van Morrison, ZZ Top, Eric Church, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers and many more have been a part of the Outlaw Tour, that also offers unique vendor villages with local food, drinks, and shopping in amphitheaters across the country.

Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday in 2023 with all-star concerts that spanned two nights at the Hollywood Bowl.

Best Classic Bands will continue to update this story.

2024 OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL TOUR DATES & LINEUPS (Tickets are available here)

Saturday, July 6
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

Sunday, July 7
Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

Monday, July 29
North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

Wednesday, July 31
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

Saturday, August 3
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

Sunday, August 4
Toyota Amphitheatre, Wheatland, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

Wednesday, August 7
Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, Boise, ID
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

Friday, August 9
ONE Spokane Stadium, Spokane, WA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

Saturday, August 10
Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Billy Strings
Brittney Spencer

Friday, September 6
Somerset Amphitheater, Somerset, WI
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

Saturday, September 7
Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

Sunday, September 8
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, St. Louis, MO
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

Wednesday, September 11
Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

Thursday, September 12
Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

Saturday, September 14
The Pavilion at Star Lake, Burgettstown, PA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

Sunday, September 15
Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

Tuesday, September 17
Darien Lake Amphitheater, Buffalo, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

Friday, September 20
Bank NH Pavilion, Gilford, NH
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours

• About
• Latest Posts

Best Classic Bands Staff

The BCB team brings you the latest Breaking News, Contests, On This Day rock history stories, Classic Videos, retro-Charts and more.

Latest posts by Best Classic Bands Staff (see all)

• Doc Severinsen Plays Final Concert… at 95 - 07/07/2024
• George Thorogood Bar Tab: ‘One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer’ - 07/05/2024
• Willie Nelson, 91, Plays Outlaw Festival Following Illness - 07/04/2024