A simple, human choice: a son steps away from his own tour to stand beside his father—not for the spotlight, but for a promise and a 40-year mission to keep family farmers on their land. On September 20, 2025, Farm Aid arrives in Minneapolis for the first time, and the Nelson family story takes center stage.
When Lukas Chose to Stand with His Father: Farm Aid Debuts in Minneapolis
Canceling Bristol Rhythm & Roots to honor family—and a four-decade mission for farmers
Farm Aid 40 marks the organization’s first-ever Minnesota edition, set for Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Founded by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp, Farm Aid has spent four decades rallying support for America’s family farmers through music, advocacy, and on-the-ground initiatives.
This year, Lukas Nelson—frontman of Promise of the Real—canceled his appearance at the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (TN/VA, Sept. 19–21) after Willie asked him to be present at Farm Aid. In a note to fans, Lukas wrote that “family is the most important thing,” acknowledging the same-day conflict and choosing Farm Aid. Local outlets confirmed the change, and Bristol quickly announced a replacement.
Musically, the Farm Aid 40 lineup is loaded: Willie Nelson & Family, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Margo Price, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Trampled by Turtles, Wynonna Judd, Steve Earle, Waxahatchee, and more. With Lukas joining his father, the word “Family” in “Willie Nelson & Family” becomes beautifully literal—a living handoff of legacy onstage.
Beyond the music, Farm Aid has always been about continuity and community. Born in the mid-’80s and inspired in part by a Live Aid moment, the festival continues to channel funds and attention to family farmers while connecting audiences to local food through initiatives like the HOMEGROWN Village and HOMEGROWN Concessions®. Bringing Farm Aid to Minneapolis for the first time honors the Midwest’s musical heritage and agricultural roots. Against this backdrop, Lukas’s decision reads as symbolic—a younger artist respecting history, putting family and community above the self.
When the Nelsons take the stage, fans won’t just anticipate Willie’s classics; they’ll be watching for the father-son moments: a shared glance, a tender harmony, a guitar line that speaks louder than words. In that simplicity, Farm Aid 40 could become one of the Nelson family’s most touching chapters—legacy not merely remembered, but lived in real time.