Will Willie Nelson take the stage on July 4 in Austin after storm cancels show?

Despite news of cancelling the Outlaw Music Festival’s July 1, 2025, concert, fans of country music Hall of Famer Willie Nelson can be assured that they'll see the legendary singer and guitarist play at the picnic on July 4, 2025.

The Outlaw Music Festival was scheduled to celebrate its 10th anniversary at the July 1 concert, but it would seem like Mother Nature had other plans. In an Instagram statement released on June 30, 2025, the festival’s management revealed that heavy downpour forced the crowd to evacuate and destroyed the artist’s equipment. The statement read:

“The Outlaw Music Festival's 10th Anniversary concert event scheduled for July 1, 2025, at Lucky Star Amphitheatre in El Reno, OK, has been cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances. 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.”

It continued:

"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.”

The Outlaw Music Festival is being stalled to replace necessary band equipment. Attendees should also note that EVERYONE who paid for the cancelled dates will be refunded:

"The potential damage has halted the festival production as they recover and replace what's necessary for the tour to resume. The tour looks forward to resuming in Austin on July 4. Blackbird Presents, Lucky Star Amphitheatre, and DCF Concerts are disappointed to have to cancel the engagement and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause. Refunds will be issued to the point of purchase. Please allow 7-10 business days for the refund to appear on your statement.”

More details on the Outlaw Music Festival as Willie Nelson prepares to take the stage on July 4

The Outlaw Music 10th anniversary tour was marked by Blackbird as the biggest Outlaw tour to date. The celebratory event features more than twenty of music’s finest talents which include Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats amongst others.

Since its 2016 inception, the festival has grown into an annual musical staple, uniting legends like Willie Nelson with new musical talents to celebrate genre-defying music and the outlaw spirit. Willie Nelson, headliner of the music festival’s 2025 version, expressed that he was excited to celebrate the milestone with fans:

“What an amazing lineup to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Outlaw Music Festival Tour. I can’t wait to join friends and family in bringing this celebration to the fans we love.”