Farm Aid is celebrating its 20th anniversary by returning to its roots in Illinois for a concert at the Tweeter Center in Tinley Park. Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp will be on the bill along with Dave Matthews Band and Wilco (with other acts to be announced in the coming weeks). Tickets for the September 18 concert go on sale July 30 and the proceeds will benefit small farmers who are struggling financially to keep up with larger corporate interests. The first Farm Aid concert was held in Champaign, Illinois in 1985. The event drew 80,000 fans and raised 9 million dollars. Since then, the Farm Aid organization has raised another 27 million with various concerts over the years.
Stay tuned for updates as more acts are announced.
Editorial Comment: The Tweeter Center? Yikes. While I’m sure organizers have their reasons for holding the event at this venue, I can think of at least a dozen better places to have this show. Anyone that has been there knows what I’m talking about. The location, the layout, the acoustics, OH MY. I’d take a field in Champaign over the Tweeter Center any day. But even though the venue leaves something to be desired, this is sure to be a day packed with excellent music and good times (and you’re, like, helping farmers & stuff).
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