On Saturday night, Minneapolis became the heart of America’s long fight for its farmers. The 40th annual Farm Aid took over Huntington Bank Stadium, transforming it into something far greater than a concert: a gathering of voices, values, and a cause that has endured for four decades.
From the opening notes, it was clear this was no ordinary festival. The lineup itself carried history — Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Billy Strings, Jesse Welles, and more. Each artist brought not just songs, but a commitment to family farmers, a cause Farm Aid has defended since its founding in 1985. For those in attendance, the music was inseparable from the mission.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz underscored that connection as he introduced Willie Nelson to the stage, calling him “an American icon.” The words rang true, but by the night’s end, it was Willie’s music that proved it. At 92, his steps may be slower, but his voice still carries the grit and tenderness of a man who has lived every line he sings.
Opening with his signature “Whiskey River,” Willie immediately lit up the crowd, blending nostalgia with a burst of energy that belied his years. But it was the quieter moments that left the deepest mark. When Lily Meola joined him for a duet on “Will You Remember Mine,” the stadium fell into a hush — tens of thousands holding their breath as two voices wove a song of memory and love. Later, Willie’s performance of “Last Leaf on the Tree,” from his 2024 album, became the emotional centerpiece of the night. Fragile, unvarnished, and deeply human, the song captured not only his own mortality but the resilience that has defined both his life and the farmers he champions.
Farm Aid’s spirit has always been as much about unity as it is about awareness, and the night closed in that spirit. Just past midnight, the crowd joined in a grand sing-along finale. Dylan, notably, did not return for the closing numbers, but the absence did not dim the power of the moment. Voices soared together on “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “It’s Hard to Be Humble,” and “I Saw the Light.” The sight of thousands of fans, arms raised, voices blending into a single chorus, was less about performance than affirmation.
For forty years, Farm Aid has stood as proof that music can be more than entertainment — it can be action, advocacy, and healing. The 40th anniversary in Minneapolis reaffirmed that truth. The songs carried memories of the past, urgency for the present, and hope for the future. And as Willie Nelson closed the night, his weathered voice rising like a prayer, the promise of Farm Aid remained unbroken: that music, like farming itself, is about roots, resilience, and the belief that even in hard times, something enduring can still grow.