Willie Nelson Closes Outlaw Festival Tour Opener With Billy Strings, Sierra Hull & Lily Meola

Willie Nelson wrapped up the first night of the 2025 Outlaw Music Festival Tour in collaborative style. The 92-year-old music icon was joined by fellow Outlaw Fest performers Billy Strings, Sierra Hull and Lily Meola for the end of his set at Phoenix’s Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on Tuesday.

The Outlaw Music Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025 with Willie and Bob Dylan topping the bill at all 35 dates. Strings, Hull and Meola are part of the impressive revolving all-star lineup, which also includes Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Sheryl Crow, Trampled by Turtles, Turnpike Troubadours, The Avett Brothers, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, Waxahatchee, Lake Street Dive and others.

Singer-songwriter Lily Meola kicked off the action in Phoenix before ceding the stage to Sierra Hull. Billy Strings and bandmates Jarrod Walker, Billy Failing, Royal Masat and Alex Hargreaves then delivered a 75-minute set. Highlights included a debut cover of Bad Livers’ “Ghost Train,” a solo “Catch & Release” and a sequence connecting “The Fire On My Tongue,” “Pyramid Country” and “Hide & Seek.”

Bob Dylan was the penultimate performer of the evening. As reported, Dylan and his band completely switched up the setlist from previous 2025 tour dates. Bob broke out “Mr. Tambourine Man” and other gems, debuted three covers including a take on The Pogues’ “A Rainy Night In Soho” and unveiled a new arrangement of “All Along The Watchtower.”

Willie Nelson & Family punctuated the tour opener with a career-spanning performance. Lukas Nelson was on hand and a constant presence throughout Willie’s hour-long set. The father and son shared lead vocal duties on their stellar cover of Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe” late in the set before Willie dueted with Waylon Payne on “Write Your Own Songs.”

Billy Strings, Lily Meola, Sierra Hull, Billy Failing, Alex Hargreaves and Royal Masat reemerged for a medley of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and “I’ll Fly Away.” Strings had his acoustic guitar in hand and took a solo, while the other guests contributed backing vocals. Willie Nelson and the assembled musicians followed with “The Party’s Over.” Billy Strings and Nelson’s band played “I’ll See The Light” as Willie departed the stage.

Watch the guest-filled conclusion to Willie Nelson’s set in Phoenix via audience-shot video below: