Farm Aid 2025 Report: Forty Days and Forty Nights and Forty Years
Farm Aid Finale: Willie Nelson & All
Minneapolis, Minnesota - Sept. 20, 2025
photos by John Kwit & thrasher
(Click photo to enlarge)
Here is a special report from the intrepid and oh so dependable John Kwit, our Thrasher's Wheat Intergalactic Music Correspondent via Chicago. Or, as John likes to put it: "[Normally] Mild Mannered Reporter for a Daily Metropolitan Newspaper".
Forty Days and Forty Nights and Forty Years of Farm Aid
It appears to me that we are still engulfed in an extended period of trial and tribulation here in the USA. Gone are the days of Peace and Love. Folks on both sides of aisle aren’t talking to one another and when they do communicate they’d rather deliver a verbal tongue lashing via social media then sit down and hash things out civilly, eye to eye. The art of listening has faded away.
Why, dare I ask, can’t we just get along?
Farm Aid 40 @ University of Minnesota
But there were some things simmering below the surface for me that I hope the passionate readers of Thrasher’s Wheat can answer. Don’t worry, I’ll get to the actual concert review and Neil Young in a moment.
Willie Nelson Prepares to Take a Bow w/ Farm Aid Board
Days before the concert was due to take place at the stadium used by the University of Minnesota, service and maintenance workers from the Teamsters Union threatened to strike putting the show in jeopardy. Thankfully everything was resolved so the concert went on as planned but it made me wonder many things. First and foremost, how would the Farm Aid Board have framed a concert-ending strike by the union? My guess is that the Farm Aid Board and organization are composed of many union loving members. Before you cast tomatoes my way, please know that the person typing this story has 2 jobs, his spouse has 2 jobs, and we belong to 4 separate unions between us. In my opinion, unions are good for many, many things and not so good for others.
Farm Aid Board
Second question: Finances. I’m not going to get into the “Where’s the Farm Aid money going?” rabbit hole. The Chicago Tribune once did a story on that which rankled Neil Young to no end. But I am curious about the quote from Farm Aid tied to a potential strike: “It is critical to understand that if Farm Aid 40 is forced to move or cancel, the financial impact could be devastating. The expenses already incurred to bring this historic event to Minnesota may well threaten the survival of our organization after four decades of service to family farmers.”
Neil Young
Math is not my strong suit and I’m not the CFO of a major bank. Does it not seem odd, though, that the cancellation of Farm Aid 40 could have spelled the death knell for the corporation? Ticket purchases were non-refundable so somebody was keeping that money. Do the performers participate free of charge? Is the money being made on the sale of food and merchandise, of which Farm Aid only gets a cut, the major revenue stream for the organization which ultimately keeps it solvent? Perhaps this precarious financial situation is tied to Neil Young’s plea and major point at the pre-show press conference [see embedded video below] that he only wants your money for Farm Aid. He was pointing his finger, mostly, at the billionaire class and mega corporations who should, in his view, be paying a Conscience Tax to the organization. [See Neil Young Archives | Times-Contrarian | "American Conscience Tax (ACT)" ]
Third: Performer harmony. Fellow Hoosier John Mellencamp gave some short, blunt remarks at the press conference which had him heaping praise on Willie Nelson by stating that “none of us would be here without Willie and that “we wouldn’t have raised a f***ing dime if it wasn’t for him.” True.
But seeing as though Willie is 92 years young, in a show of harmonious brotherhood and love of his fellow man, how could John not join in on Willie’s concert closing numbers which brought many of the performers out on stage for rousing renditions of Will the Circle Be Unbroken and I Saw the Light? If I missed John in the background, I offer my sincere apologies, but I was informed by a respected individual with many Farm Aid concerts under their belt that John is rarely, if ever, seen at Willie’s group closing songs.
Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson & Micah Nelson
Can we finally get into the actual music? Yes. I imagine that attending Farm Aid is much like what it was back in the 1950’s and 60’s when Dick Clark brought his Caravan of Stars on tour across the U.S. You got a handful of songs by a great number of performers, just like Farm Aid. Just enough to wet your appetite and get you to go out and seek your favorite stars latest 45 single or long playing album.
Listing one’s favorite acts or songs at Farm Aid 40 is a hopelessly subjective endeavor. But if you stuck around this long I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed Waxahatchee, Steve Earle, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, the old Bob Dylan and the “newly crowned Bob Dylan” - Jesse Welles. Jesse’s song Bugs immediately brought young Bob Dylan’s performance of Woody Guthrie’s Riding in My Car (Car, Car) to mind.
Jesse Welles
I hope you let me dwell a bit on Jesse. He’s relatively new to the game with 3 albums under his belt, both self-released. I bumped into him as he was taking part in a mid-day TV interview and I asked him afterwards if he was planning to come to Chicago. He said yes, he had a couple of shows coming up in October. As soon as I parted ways with him I looked up his concert schedule. One show in Toronto, Canada was listed before the two Windy City shows. All were sold out. By the time I’m typing this up, 47 additional shows around the entire world are now listed. Almost all of them are sold out. The kid has hit the Big Time! And it’s well deserved as his guitar playing and singing were superb and his lyrics are clever, catchy and thought-provoking all at the same time. You’re missing out if you don’t check him out live.
Steve Earle
Trampled By Turtles
Margo Price
Billy Strings
Sierra Ferrell & Lukas Nelson
Dave Matthews & Lukas Nelson
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats
God bless Bob Dylan for showing up and rocking the house. He did so totally unannounced at Farm Aid 38 back in 2023. This time, he gave fans 3 days’ notice that he’d be playing in his home State of Minnesota. Not faulting Mr. Dylan, but if he could have possibly had his name on the bill from the get-go, perhaps the audience would have been even larger which would have meant more…well you know where I’m going. I may not have recognized all of his songs in his set but does it matter? No. It’s Bob Dylan for God’s sake. Be quiet and listen. All Along the Watchtower (also covered earlier in the day) and a be-bop version of Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright stood out for me.
Bob Dylan
The 5 members of the Farm Aid Board: John Mellencamp, Margo Price, Dave Matthews, Neil Young and Willie Nelson put on fabulous performances. I was concerned that John’s guitarist had to be helped off stage for what appeared to be a medical reason. He originally performed standing, then had a chair brought out to sit on before being brought backstage. He came back to finish the show. Hopefully all is well. His songs Longest Days and Rain on the Scarecrow brought a somber mood followed by a full battle attack mode.
John Mellencamp
Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts?
Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts
Well, if Neil doesn’t get sued into oblivion for copyright infringement over the use of the Chrome Hearts name, hopefully we’ll see him and the band on tour again in 2026 when the weather warms up and the swallows come back to Capistrano. The band members are a young force to be reckoned with. Old timer Spooner Oldham is there for a reason, although his keyboard playing for the 3 shows I’ve recently seen were almost inaudible. Song highlights for me from Neil’s 7 song set were Long Walk Home and Be the Rain. He had his infamous pump organ at the back of the stage but I don’t believe he actually used it. Someone will correct me if I’m wrong. Time limits may have factored in.
Spooner Oldham
All in all, an absolutely fantastic concert experience! Will there be a Farm Aid 41? Yes. Will there be a Farm Aid 50? I don’t know, but I made a vow at this show with a nice fellow who graciously took me under his wing on his birthday and we promised to that be there together at Farm Aid 50 come hell or high water. Happy Birthday Thrasher. Thanks to you, Paul & Renee of the FarmAidians and everyone involved in pulling this great event together.
John Kwit
Willie Nelson & Friends
Thanks for the report John! What a great day for a great cause.
Here are are a few more Farm Aid memories with our FarmAidians friends Paul & Renee & Crew.
FarmAidians On The Road Again
Having "A Word" w/ Steve Earle
Farm Aid Press Conference
(Neil Young @ ~27:30)
Nathaniel Rateliff Shout Out to FarmAidians
w/ More Friends From Near & Far
.jpg)
thrashers
Labels: 2025, concert, Dave Matthews, farm aid, john mellencamp, margo price, neil young, photos, presale, review, tickets, willie nelson
by thrasher@PermaLink: 9/27/2025 02:03:00 PM
33 comments
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33 Comments:
So, what’s it all about, Alfie? It’s about for one thing too many old people having to stand up in too many young people are at grooving to the pop stars of the day you take no stand against dictatorship looming over our heads. I did miss John Mellencamp dropping F bombs at the press conference, which is usually one of the great delights for me although he rightly spent most of his time in words of praise to Mr. Nelson without whom it never would have happened even once. Jesse? I’m looking to justify one of those 47 concerts somewhere. I loved the lyricism. Dave Matthews, as always intelligent, well crafted par down commentary, particularly when he hover it over the word and then dare to say it: the dreaded Genocide. Thanks for having the guts, Dave. Two words on Neil, his idea for a new tax the con-science tax (interesting that word) and the opening song of his set, which saw the attendance of maybe 45,000 (as some of the 50K seats were blocked out and not available as being obscured vision) on their feet with fist raised talking about kicking the fascists out of the house. Nice. POTR-2= Chrome Hearts. Great work, of course from Micah, Corey and the best rock drummer in America Anthony LoGerfo. Bluegrass from Billy growls from Steve Earle an amazingly ever growing voice of Nathaniel Rateliff, the great cover done by Dave and Lucas with some classic POTR tunes during that set were too beautiful for words. Dave and Tim what do you need to say plus throw in a fiddle player of excellence. We think it was Dylan, in the photo I do recognize that streak of white which appeared to be a shirt below the neck, below the head covered by a hoodie sitting in mostly darkness. Good arrangements of great songs. I had to wonder if John Mellencamp was a bit subdued due to his concern about Willie early in the day who seemed to be having terrible breathing problems as well as the news that’s out there about his own daughter, struggling with a very serious degree of cancer. We always wish her well. And personally sharing Neil and Old Black for the first time with my almost 30 year-old eldest in the family and coming to the recognition that we’ve been listening to Neil’s music together for all of those 30 years and that Neil still sounds as great as ever and still shredding as strongly. The joy of no rain except a short sprinkle, despite the absolute certainty of Apple weather that it would rain for each of the Seven Days proceeding was just another Farm Aid miracle like getting a T-shirt from the Farmadian’s for two of us. Hugs, laughter, joy, and some serious conversations Are always the lifeblood of the whole day. I hope FA 41 is a celebration of finally taking care of the farmers that deserve it and finally restoring a balance to the food system in America and once again going back to John’s prophetic words about the pride that the land Used to feed the country, if not the world. Blessings to them all. God bless us, every one.
Oops I got so excited to send it out. The greedy hand hit the itchy publish button too soon!
What a thorough review of Farm Aid. My favorite part was….
“This was the year where I really noticed “The Growl.” Songs by Dylan, Mellencamp, Nelson & Young were not necessarily sung, but growled or spoken like a fine poem. A nod to the aging process which escapes no one. I’d rather hear them read the lyrics then not be up on stage at all”.
Thanks for sharing this with us all.
As we see troops heading for Portland Oregon this weekend, I am not convinced we shall see another Farm Aid in the United States. We must come together….Red, Blue, or independent….it doesn’t matter!!! We only have each other to stop the madness. Put aside the pointless details and come together to save our nation. We won’t get a second chance if we don’t act now.
Peace to all 🙏
Thanks again to all who contributed to this report.
We have to say as we sat there during the annual press conference wondering who would be the designated "event agitator"? John or Neil usually. Maybe because of the magnitude of the 40th anniversary, all of the Board members were oddly restrained over the plight of The American Family Farmer.
As Neil went into repeat mode of "We need money", he made the almost an incidental aside to the concept of an "American Conscience Tax (ACT)".
Instead of voluntary donations, Neil argues that the US government should impose a substantial "American Conscience Tax (ACT)" on land purchases by large corporations and billionaires. The proceeds would benefit the farming families who have protected the land for centuries. However, he questions whether the current US government is even willing to assert itself against the powerful corporations or whether it will submit to their control.
Dave Matthews came next and said he would happily pay more taxes if they went to "good causes" instead of "bad causes". Check press conf vid for specifics. Dave then echoed Neil's call for a "Conscience Tax".
Afterwards, we had some debate whether this sentiment would be picked up on daily coverage or ignored. For the most, it seems the latter.
So where is everyone commenting on Neil's "American Conscience Tax (ACT)" ? Where is everyone like Dave on stepping up and making commitments to support?
There's your daily growl...
Did someone say "Growl!?
The tariffs are killing American’s farmers as huge crops of soya beans rot in our warehouses. China is the number one buyer of soya beans from the United States, and because of the tariffs they have virtually purchased zero this year. And now the government wants to bailout the farmers for a problem the government is responsible for creating.
And while this country has over 800,00 homeless people, our commander in chief is building a golden ballroom in the White House that nobody wants or needs.
How long before we see the corruption and hypocrisy?
Peace to all…. and wake up!
3.5% We Are Almost There. Keep the Faith, Remain in Light. Hold Steady.
Mr. America First is gonna bail out Argentina so they can sell more soy to China while American soy goes to waste and there's no more U SAID to purchase crops for distribution to people in need around the world. Brilliant strategy. MAGA voters got punked so they can hate on 0.01% of trans people and immigrants they blame for a non-existent crime rise. Supposedly they cared a lot about affordability. How's that working out for them? There was never any proposal to do thing one about affordability and so nothing is getting done there either.
And how does the administration respond to political candidate who has an actual agenda for tackling affordability in his city? Pulls billions in federal funds for infrastructure projects. That's how to interpret the threat to New Yorkers ready to elect Mandami. Why? Because an affordability agenda requires the billionaires to cough up the bucks.
Don't let it all destroy you too quickly. We got Trump for 3 more years, then 8 years of Vance, probably 8 years of Rubio, then Barron should be ready for action.
Buckle up!
A cogent response. Feeling good about the bailout for Argentina so they sell more soy to China while American farmers can't? How's that make life better? You get to own the Libs, so I guess there's that Schadenfreude to help pay your bills.
Argentina? I could care less.
Help paying my bills? I don't need any, I do it myself.
Matter of fact, I don't need the government for anything. They're shut down now, right? Good, hope it stays that way.
Ah, the true libertarian. Disciple of Ayn Rand, no doubt, that paragon of libertarianism except when it came time to collect social security. Funny how principled "no government" types change their tune when they are the one's in need.
Anyway, be honest with yourself man. You live in a modern society. To say you don't need government for anything is, as I'm sure you know in your heart, not true. You use roads the government built, you probably have taken medications that got developed thanks to government funding, the air you breath is cleaner than it would be without (still inadequate) government regulations on tailpipe emissions, the area you live in still surrounded by beautiful redwoods and beaches thanks to government conservation efforts, someone you love has almost certainly gotten through some rough patches in life thanks to government assistance. You get the picture. We can debate what the size of government should be and the relative value of different services, but there's no real question that we all need the government.
Don't care about Argentina or not paying attention? They're getting $20 billion of our money because their Trump styled leader is running their economy into the ground trying to follow a DOGE style policy (it was their clown President standing next to the clown Elon wielding a chainsaw in some silly theater). So I don't know why you're cool with that or oblivious to it. Seems a weird thing to do in the name of fighting "waste, fraud, and abuse" in the name of promoting America First.
Hey Richie “Rich” Cruz I just checked flight aware. Good news for you: @ least one flight daily to Argentina. More good news plenty of seats!
You’ll be missed?
Live your truth bro!
Do not accept Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid (now OR when the time comes). Avoid public beaches, parks and transportation. Drive on only toll roads. Do not allow your children to attend public schools or take part in any lunch programs, after school activities or assisted child care. And don’t call 911 unless you intend to pay cash for services rendered.
Assuming there is anyone left to answer that call…
The big boys really don't care too much about the soybean issue. They sell to livestock producers and "renewable fuel" frauds. We should all forget the traditional family farmer, that era is gone with the wind. Our best hope is with some newer practices and technology which could revolutionize the family farm and transform it into local economies. If you take the very best of what that moron RFKjr has to say about processed foods and health, this is where the action and future resides. We need to stop growing soybeans: a waste of everything except for industrial agriculture. Family farms, so called, have been co-opted into the big machine for years now. Big Ag has as much chance of failing as Wall Street (which is always possible).
Don't accept help from the government? Don't put my kids in the public school system? Don't rely on the cops and take care of things myself is a hairy situation?
Sounds great to me, pal!
Of course it does. Doubt you walk the walk. Like your choice for president, all talk. Why don’t you stop paying taxes since you reject help from the government? Let me know how that works out for ya? I’m sure you’ll get a presidential pardon.
For anyone here not named Richie Cruz:
https://www.nokings.org/?emci=80ff77e1-ae9f-f011-8e61-6045bded8ba4&emdi=7fe5262b-c49f-f011-8e61-6045bded8ba4&ceid=2548874
New timeline concert is a rough in the diamond. A ragged audience recording of one of the 6 stops on the legendary 1975 Northern California Bar Tour with Crazy Horse. From The Inn of the Beginning in Cotati. NYA lists it as on 12/12/75, but SugarMtn says it was 12/19/75, and their news clips back up that date. Only known recording of those shows. Man, to have been there....course I was 8 at the time, but still.
@herbsworld : I’m signed up and ready to peacefully protest on October 18 2025. Alan in Seattle is heading to Olympia for his protest, and I’ll be in Boise.
We must remain peaceful as not to give the fascist regime an excuse to invoke martial law. Our village idiot in the White House is looking for any excuse possible. So stay peaceful and take advantage of your Constitutional rights while they last.
P. S. @ Richie : you will always be welcome to join us in the fight for freedom. In the event you change your mind on our current situation. We will welcome you without judgment. You have my word.
Peace to all🙏
I loved, regarding Jesse Welles: ".......with 3 albums under his belt, both self-released." The spirit of Yogi Berra,
I’m just thankful someone else read the article! It’s Deja vu all over again.
Downtown more likely for me! Stand up and practice peaceful free speech & protest while we still can! 10/18 0ct 18!!! Be there!
Yes, great pics & review. Thanks all! Thanks Thrasher!
To Dan’s point. There is a link (from no kings.org) to a free training video on how to react to the opposition if confronted, also a refresher on the rights to peacefully assemble/ protest. The most useful thing I’ve learned is to make sure your phone is charged and you have the available storage to record a video of any threatening behavior. For the record, after a dozen or so protests I have only witnessed one form of hostile aggression (There have been plenty of single finger salutes). You just need to be mindful of your surroundings And be Present. I did have to remind some fellow protesters to keep emotions in check. One older dude almost got run over by a monster T Rump truck. A cop “tackled” him to “save” him from himself. He nearly cracked his head on the curb. I have recorded ever since. They can lie but they cannot deny. As long as you have recorded proof.
Happy Harvest Moon tonight, everyone. Turn all the garbage off, put on some good music, and take a spin with someone you love under that full moon.
Happy Full Moon to you all on this crazy night in the world. Where US taxpayers fund genocide in Gaza & criminals are again in the White House. Free speech is our right. Cruel & unusual punishment becoming the usual here in the disunited states of “Amurka.”
Trump is a colossal idiot & a con man gone wild in the emporer’s new clothes. Hegseth, what a clown. Have you seen the video of him doing a push up? It is beyond insane! Embarrassing for him and what a fool he is; an alcoholic fool! Kicked off of two veteran’s group posts for drinking on the job. Fox News host? Are you kidding me?
US Troops on the ground in the “homeland” against the people?! Trump is gaslighting big time. “Portland is a war zone.” Indeed it is, every time he tells ICE to attack.
I fear it’s gonna be Ohio x 10’s or hundreds of innocent people, I fear. Trump is nuts. Can’t take a joke. What a fucking clown of a dictator. Mean rich boy, born with a golden spoon in his mouth. Captain bone spurs.
Biden was also brain damaged, of course. That was obvious a long time ago. That was right after the DNC screwed Bernie with a rigged primary! The dems could have won! But they didn’t want Bernie to win.
Both parties serve the 1%, and they both have politicians who are pedophiles I hear. Why not share all the Epstein files unredacted?
We must force Democracy on the US, and also demand health care for all. What would Jesus do after all? Shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, send their kids to school. Provide mental health, social work, job training, etc.
Studies have shown it is cheaper to do that than rely on emergency or police services.
Trump wants to tear down the blue state cities
He is at war against our own citizens. He is out of his mind, and he needs to be impeached. And JD too after that. Fuck these soulless vampires! Criminal as the country has never seen or dreamed of in its worst nightmare.
Your Brother Alan in Seattle
Meant to say Hegseth was “running” these vet groups, and drunk on the job, fired. Drunk in uniform. This loser dip shit. And a good night to you all, good people.
Your Brother Alan in Seattle
Hardly Strictly was last weekend. Amazing , annual, free . YT. Chezk it Doubt.
Could you please translate this for us. I have no clue what you are attempting to say here. Thanks.
I'll take a stab: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival was last weekend. It's an amazing, free annual festival. You can watch it on YouTube. Check it out.
How'd I do?
Yes. That is correct. The original Fall Classic ended 9 years ago Bridge School Benefit. How can that be. Where does the time go. But Hardly Strictly Bluegrass carries on. It was originally started by a rich guy named Warren Hellman just to hear Emmylou Harris who performs every year. It's always a stacked lineup of well knowns and lesser so talent. The genre can be almost anything hence the name. Always 3 days of free music in GG Park.
Thanks for the clarity.
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