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September 28, 2026

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The 2026 edition of Farm Aid was held in Virginia Beach at the Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater on Saturday night.  Forty-one years after the initial Farm Aid, farmers are still needing our help.

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The day started off with a press conference that included Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff.  Local Virginia farmers also got to tell their stories and how they have been struggling over the course of the year.  They spoke of high diesel prices as well as the evils of data centers and how they will use up water and destroy the land.

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All around the concourse of the grounds were several Homegrown vendors.  I had a delicious BBQ porkchop sandwich.  There were also several merchants selling their wears as well as information and interactive booths. 

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But the reason that most of the people attended this event was for the music and with 18 different performers this year, the largest number yet, there was something that fit everyone's taste.

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Up and coming acts took the stage early in the day.  Mostly Americana and country artists like Chris Pierce, Lily Meola, Amythyst Kiah, and Mon Rovia got to play about 3-4 songs each.

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I'm With Her, a trio that give a Chicks vibe, were very popular as they were asked to come out during Nathanial Rateliff and Dave Matthews sets.

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The newer artist that I was most excited to see was Jesse Wells.  This folk/Americana/rock artist did not disappoint.  He is very topical/political with his lyrics and songs.  He played both acoustic and with his full band, which rocked out.  I am looking forward to seeing him in Cleveland in a couple of weeks.

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Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs took the stage next for a brief but rockin' four song set.  Playing two original tunes and two Tom Petty classics ("Even The Losers" and "Runnin' Down A Dream")  Campbell let the crowd know that he's still out there rocking.

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 Platinum selling country artist Ty Myers played a great four song set as well.  

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Lukas Nelson and Turnpike Troubadorus rounded out the "newer" acts before the Farm Aid Board Members took to the stage.

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Brand new father, and newest Farm Aid Board Member, Nathaniel Rateliff five of the seven songs as a solo performer.  He noted that this was his 10th Farm Aid, but the first time he was on stage by himself.  For two of those songs, the aforementioned I'm With Her came out and supported him on "Standing In The Rain Boys" and "Endless Horizon." 

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Rateliff then introduced Margo Price and she and her great backing band took center stage.  After playing a couple of original tunes, Margo paid tribute to Dolly Parton by playing "9 to 5" including playing her fingernails, like Dolly, to get the beat.  

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After a few more tunes, Margo brought out Dave Matthews and Jesse Wells to play an amazing cover of Blaze Foley's "Oval Room."  If you don't know this song, look it up.

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Now it was getting time for the heavy hitters.  The next four artists are all inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds opened up their acoustic set with "Save Me" and "So Damn Lucky."  Matthews noted that he wrote a new song "Paper Town" for a soon to be released documentary about Canton, North Carolina and it's 115 year old paper mill.  I'm With Her helped out on that tune.

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Matthews then brought out Jake Simpson, from Lukas Nelson's band to help them with "Crush" and a fantastic version of "Ants Marching."

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Matthews then introduced John Mellencamp and he and his band came out rocking!  "Love and Happiness" went right into "Small Town."  "Paper In Fire" and the ever popular "Check It Out" were all played triumphantly.  

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Mellencamp then took center stage alone to sing a little ditty about "Jack and Diane" which became a huge sing-a-long.  

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It wouldn't be Farm Aid if Mellencamp didn't play "Rain On The Scarecrow" so of course he obliged the audience. 

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Mellencamp didn't really talk to the audience, however during his closing song "Pink Houses" he did say: "Wait a minute, is it still the Gulf of Mexico?"  The crowd cheered so he continued, "That what I think too.  Gulf of America.... who gives a fuck? Craziness!" 

 

Neil Young was next.  You never know what kind of show you're going to get from Neil.  Is it going to rockin' or is it going to be laid back and acoustic.  When he and his band the Chrome Hearts took the stage, Young wandered over to the piano and went into "After The Gold Rush."   Ahhh, it's going to be laid back.  

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For the next six songs, Young went between the piano and acoustic guitar.  Some deeper cuts like "Human Highway" and "Daddy Went Walkin'" were sandwiched between huge hits like "Old Man" (which gave me chills) and "Harvest Moon."

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It wasn't an all acoustic set and Young finally strapped on "Blackie," his old Les Paul, and launched into "Powderfinger" and "Rockin' In The Free World" that saw him break all six strings by the end of the song.  Proving that he is still the godfather of Grunge.

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Finally, Willie Nelson and family came to the stage just before 11pm.  He and his band blew through 11 songs that included "Whiskey River," "On The Road Again" and "Mamma's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys."

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Neil Young came out to join him on "Are There Any More Real Cowboys?" and then it was a jam as Nathaniel Rateliff, Margo Price, Turnpike Troubadours and others joined him on stage to play "Will The Circle Be Unbroken," "I'll Fly Away" and the show closing "I Saw The Light."

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Another incredible Farm Aid is in the books!  Let's hope that Ohio gets selected for Farm Aid 42!

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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