Neil Young led the Chrome Hearts through a set that included “Old Man,” “Powderfinger,” and a closing “Rockin’ in the Free World” at Farm Aid 2026. The festival in Virginia Beach, Virginia, brought together a lineup of legends, from Willie Nelson to John Mellencamp to Margo Price, each trading covers and tributes to Dolly Parton.
The son of Willie Nelson did double duty, playing his own show — which included “Just Outside of Austin” — and sitting in with his father’s headlining set. His father’s longtime harmonica player, Mickey Raphael, gave protest singer Jesse Welles a harmonica backstage.
Neil Young Leads the Chrome Hearts
Young’s set closed with “Rockin’ in the Free World.” The Chrome Hearts performed “Old Man” and “Powderfinger” earlier in the evening. The lineup included Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan performing as I’m With Her.
Neil Young’s Chrome Hearts keyboardist Spooner Oldham was part of the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. He was backstage with his wife Karen.
Dolly Parton Tributes
Grammy-winning Americana singer Sierra Ferrell paid tribute to Parton with a cover of Parton’s “Here I Am.”, while Margo Price honored her with a performance of “9 to 5.”.
At the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, the Turnpike Troubadours, known as red dirt torchbearers, stood behind the scenes before their performance. During the festival, their fiddle player, Kyle Nix, took the stage.
John Mellencamp’s Set
John Mellencamp’s set included classics like “Pink Houses,” “Paper in Fire,” and the farmer’s lament “Rain on the Scarecrow.” Lily Meola delivered songs off her debut LP, Lucky to Be, and sang “Will You Remember Mine?” with Willie Nelson during the Red Headed Stranger’s headlining performance.
Ty Myers has just put out a tribute album to Willie Nelson. It is titled Two Braids & the Truth, and it was made by the Austin, Texas-based songwriter.
Other Performances
Two Dave Matthews Band standards were played with guest Jake Renick Simpson during the show, while “Crush” was performed alongside “Ants Marching.”. Backstage, Nathaniel Rateliff was spotted sporting a Farm Aid patch.
The folk singer Mon Rovîa made his Farm Aid debut.
The Lineup at a Glance
- Neil Young led the Chrome Hearts with “Old Man,” “Powderfinger,” and “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
- Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson did double duty, playing his own show and sitting in with his father’s headlining set.
- Margo Price and Sierra Ferrell both paid tribute to Dolly Parton.
- John Mellencamp played “Pink Houses,” “Paper in Fire,” and “Rain on the Scarecrow.”
- Lily Meola sang with Willie Nelson on stage.
- Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds featured Jake Renick Simpson on “Crush” and “Ants Marching.”
Closing Number
For the festival’s closing number, its performers came together around Willie Nelson for a shared gospel medley. It marked a moment of togetherness, with all those present joining on stage for one last song.
Farm Aid 2026 was a celebration of the American farmer, and the music was the vehicle. The lineup delivered on that promise, with a setlist full of classics and a spirit of collaboration that ran through the whole evening.
Source material: “Farm Aid 2026: Backstage and Onstage With Neil Young, Nathaniel Rateliff, More,” Rolling Stone.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.