Road Work Highlights: Farm Aid 40th Anniversary, Newport Jazz Festival & Making Time ∞

Farm Aid 40th anniversary, Newport Jazz Festival additions, and Making Time ∞ lineup excitement are creating waves in the music scene.

Farm Aid’s 40th Anniversary: A Celebration of Family Farmers

Willie Nelson performing at Farm Aid event

The iconic Farm Aid event marks its 40th anniversary this September 20 at the Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Legendary artists like Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds will come together for this milestone celebration. Joining them are a diverse lineup featuring Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Trampled by Turtles, Waxahatchee, Black Pumas’ Eric Burton, Jesse Welles, Madeline Edwards, and Margo Price.

Willie Nelson, co-founder of Farm Aid in 1985, passionately shared,

“Family farmers are the heart of this country, and we depend on each other for good food and strong communities. For 40 years, Farm Aid and our partners have stood with farmers, supporting them to stay on their land even when corporate power, bad policies and broken promises make it harder to keep going. This year, we’re proud to bring Farm Aid to Minnesota to celebrate the farmers who sustain us and to fight for a food system that works for all of us. Family farmers aren’t backing down, and neither are we.”

This statement underscores Farm Aid's mission to support family farming and sustainable food systems against mounting challenges.

Mumford & Sons Revive the Railroad Revival Tour

This summer, Mumford & Sons are bringing back their 2011 Railroad Revival tour for four special outdoor shows. Scheduled for August 3 in New Orleans, August 4 in Spartanburg, SC, August 5 in Richmond, VA, and August 7 in Burlington, VT, each venue is cleverly chosen near local train stations to honor the tour’s unique travel theme.

The band promises fresh experiences with a rotating roster of guest artists including Nathaniel Rateliff, Chris Thile, Trombone Shorty, Madison Cunningham, and Lucius joining them for collaborative performances.

Frontman Marcus Mumford enthused,

“We felt we had some unfinished business on the great American railroad. So, we’ve spent a lot of time cooking up this idea for another rolling festival to rip through the south and east of the U.S. The spirit of what we do, at its core, is always about people and collaboration. So, every show will be a collaborative performance from a bunch of our favorite people on the planet, and every show will be different. This will, without doubt, be the coolest house band we’ll ever get to play in.”

Tickets went on sale May 16. Later, Mumford & Sons will tour behind their newest album Rushmere starting June 5 in Bend, Oregon.

New Additions to the Newport Jazz Festival Lineup

The prestigious Newport Jazz Festival will light up Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island, from August 1-3, following closely after the Newport Folk Festival on the same grounds. Recently added to the lineup are the innovative Flying Lotus and the dynamic saxophonist Nubya Garcia.

Other big names slated to perform include Janelle Monae, the Roots, Jacob Collier, RAYE, Jorja Smith, Esperanza Spalding, the Yussef Dayes Experience, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Kokoroko, and De La Soul.

Flying Lotus stands out with a special performance planned at the festival — the only scheduled show after his Carnegie Hall tribute to his grand-aunt, the legendary Alice Coltrane, where he will join family members including Ravi Coltrane for orchestral arrangements of her work.

Making Time ∞ Festival Celebrates 25 Years of Electronic Music

From September 19 to 21, Philadelphia’s Fort Mifflin will host the DIY electronic extravaganza Making Time ∞ on its 25th anniversary. This year’s lineup boasts a stellar cast of electronic musicians and DJs:

• Four Tet
• ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U
• Boy Harsher
• Panda Bear
• Moodymann

Supporting acts include Ben UFO, Optimo (Espacio), Moor Mother, Suzanne Ciani, Windy & Carl, Laraaji, John Talbot, Avalon Amerson, and VTSS. A highlight will be a special B2B performance by Loidis and DJ Python, following Loidis' ambient live show under the alias Huerco S.

For more details, check out the official event listing.

Looking Back at Rock’s Greatest

For those curious about the all-time greatest rock stars, an extensive list ranks the top 100 artists who have shaped the genre’s history. This is a testament to the enduring power and influence of music legends on culture and generations.

Conclusion

From Farm Aid’s heartfelt tribute to family farmers to the electrifying vibes of Making Time ∞, this season’s music events promise to be unforgettable. Which festival or tour are you most excited to experience? Share your picks and let’s celebrate the power of live music together!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who are the headline artists for Farm Aid’s 40th anniversary?
  Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds, and Billy Strings are among the headliners.
• What unique feature defines the Mumford & Sons Railroad Revival tour?
  Each show happens in venues close to local train stations and features a rotating lineup of guest artists.
• When and where is the Newport Jazz Festival taking place this year?
  The festival will be held August 1-3 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island.
• What makes the Making Time ∞ festival special?
  It’s a long-running, DIY electronic music festival celebrating its 25th year with a diverse lineup of electronic artists and DJs.
• Are there any special performances planned at Newport Jazz Festival?
  Yes, Flying Lotus will perform orchestral arrangements of Alice Coltrane’s work in a rare appearance.

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