Farm Aid Celebrates 30th Anniversary, Chicago -

By Beth Ashley
Photos Ralf Lipp

CHICAGO, IL – Farm Aid 2015 couldn’t have been better! Celebrating the 30^th anniversary of this wonderful organization and choosing Chicago’s First Merit Bank at Northerly Island to hold the concert, sealed the deal for success. Do you think Willie thought they would still be rockin’ 30 years later when they held the first Farm Aid in Champaign, Illinois?

Saturday, September 19^th was one for the books. The stage was set and 15 bands were scheduled to play. The weather was perfect and the Chicago skyline was an amazing backdrop. Everyone was there to have fun and enjoy the show. I never saw such a peaceful group of concertgoers. The show opened with Blackwood Quartet, Ian Mellencamp, Insects vs. Robots, and Holly Williams.

The crowd was totally blown away by Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. Lukas is Willie’s son and an outstanding musician in his own right. Next up was Old Crowe Medicine Show. Some great pickers and very tight. Jamey Johnson did an acoustic show. Jamey is such a laid back guy with a strong voice and great guitar work. His award winning song In Color was a highlight. We loved that they wheeled out the next band’s equipment and were ready after a quick sound check. There was time for a drink and to sample any one of the outstanding food selections during the brief set-up. Farm Aid had Homegrown Concessions brought in and there was something for everyone. A vegetarian or vegan can be happy here and that is rare at a music festival!

Next we had Kacey Musgraves. Festival goers loved that Kacey ended with Nancy Sinatra’s hit from 1966, These Boots Are Made For Walking. She killed it.

Now the afternoon gets interesting. The place is really filling up as Jack Johnson is a favorite of many. He was outstanding as a performer and has a great personality. He kept everyone laughing too! Following Jack is Chicago’s own Mavis Staples. Mavis is a very classy lady with a fabulous band. She had everyone dancing in the aisles. Up next was Imagine Dragons to take the stage and they were unbelievable. Everyone was on their feet and the audience loved when Dan Reynolds joined the crowd. The sound was acoustically perfect in this venue.

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds did their acoustic duo performance and it did not disappoint. They are truly masters. Everyone was amazed at Dave and Tim. Dave introduced John Mellancamp and his band. Mellancamp was good, did what he had to do but not much more. His band was tight. John then introduced Neil Young. Neil used Lukas Nelson and his band as his back up. Neil sang a few songs about farmers and left out all of his hits that most of us in the audience were waiting to hear. Pretty much a let down there. We all appreciate the work that Neil Young does for Farm Aid, just wanted to at least hear Old Man, Cinnamon Girl or Rockin’ In The Free World.

Finally, Neil introduced Willie Nelson and Family. Willie sang a few classics, thanked us all for supporting Farm Aid and then had most of the performers out for the last few songs. Willie and Family sang Good Hearted Woman and he dedicated it to Waylon Jennings.

Farm Aid’s 30^th Anniversary concert was a huge success and we look forward to next year!