Farm Aid Announces Virtual Festival

Farm Aid is going virtual.

The 35th annual event will include performances by John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews. The festival–titled  Farm Aid 2020 On the Road–will take place Sept. 26. An online charity auction offering exclusive trips and signed memorabilia–including autographed guitars and prints from previous festival–will open on that day and take bids until Oct. 9.

“This pandemic and so many other challenges have revealed how essential family farmers and ranchers are to the future of our planet,” says Nelson in a statement. “Farm Aid 2020 is going to give the whole country a chance to learn about the important work of farmers and how they’re contributing to our well-being, beyond bringing us good food.”

The three-hour event will include performances by 20 artists, including Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Raitt, and Edie Brickell with longtime Bob Dylan touring guitarist Charlie Sexton.

The event will air September 26 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on AXS TV, and also will stream on the Farm Aid YouTube channel, FarmAid.org and Fans.com.