Cliff Notes – Country icon cancels concert after extreme weather ruins equipment
- Willie Nelson’s performance at the Outlaw Music Festival in El Reno, Oklahoma, has been cancelled due to an extreme weather event that caused significant damage to equipment and instruments.
- Heavy rains and high winds from a previous concert in Missouri led to the decision, with organisers confirming that refunds will be issued to ticketholders.
- Despite the cancellation, Nelson’s iconic guitar, Trigger, remains undamaged, and the festival is expected to continue in Austin, Texas, on 4 July.
Country icon cancels concert after extreme weather ruins equipment
A country music icon has been forced to scrap a show later today after weather wreaked havoc to his plans.
Legendary musician Willie Nelson was meant to be headline Outlaw Music Festival’s 10th-anniversary event held at the Lucky Star Amphitheater in El Reno, Oklahoma on Tuesday.
However, the concert has been cancelled as a result of an ‘extreme weather event’.
Organisers for the show – which also featured Bob Dylan, The Mavericks, and Tami Neilson on the lineup – have confirmed the axed show.
Representatives for both Nelson and the Outlaw Music Festival posted a statement to their Instagram accounts on Monday night as they explained the decision.
They said: ‘An extreme weather event on the evening of June 29th in Ridgedale, MO at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena produced heavy rains and high winds forcing the crowd to evacuate.’
The organisers noted that ‘heavy rains and high winds’ at the concert staged at the Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Missouri had a knock-on effect.
‘Unfortunately, much of the Outlaw Music Festival’s equipment and artists’ instruments were damaged and waterlogged, making their condition difficult to assess in time to accurately and safely use for tomorrow’s show,’ they continued.
‘The potential damage has halted the festival production as they recover and replace what’s necessary for the tour to resume.’
Organisers apologised to ticketholders, and confirmed refunds would be provided.
They said: ‘Blackbird Presents, Lucky Star Amphitheater, and DCF Concerts are disappointed to have to cancel the engagement and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause.’
Fans were quick to ask if Willie Nelson’s famous guitar, Trigger, had been damaged, but his representative has insisted the instrument is fine.
‘Trigger is marked SAFE from the damage suffered to other instruments and equipment in the MO storm,’ they confirmed.
Nelson, 92, is still performing live across the US (Picture: AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Outlaw Music Festival is North America’s largest touring music festival, with Nelson among those who played in 2024.
‘I am thrilled to get back on the road again with my family and friends playing the music we love for the fans we love,’ he said at the time.
Thankfully for fans, Nelson and the rest of the festival are expected to be in Austin, Texas on 4 July this weekend to continue the run.