Kurt Vile Makes Surprise Guest Appearance With Willie Nelson At Outlaw Festival In Hershey

After missing two weeks of shows due to illness, Willie Nelson made his return to the stage at his 4th Of July Picnic concert and went on to headline the traveling Outlaw Music Festival shows on Saturday in Bethel, New York and on Sunday in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The 91-year-old musician brought out surprise guest Kurt Vile to sing on a medley towards the end of his set last night at Hersheypark Stadium.

Pennsylvania native Kurt Vile took part in Nelson’s virtual 4th Of July Picnic in 2020, an event that originated from Willie’s property in Luck, Texas. Then, last summer, Kurt Vile & The Violators performed at the Outlaw Music Festival stop at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

Kurt Vile emerged on Sunday to sing a medley of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken?” and “I’ll Fly Away” with Willie Nelson & the Family Band. Lukas Nelson was once again on hand to perform as part of the Family Band after he stood in for his father at the first eight shows of this year’s Outlaw Festival.

Lukas Nelson extended his hand to welcome Vile to the stage last night. Kurt left following the medley. Willie Nelson dueted with his son on “Living In The Promiseland” to bring his set to a close. The 1986 single off Willie’s The Promiseland album has been the final song of each of his last three sets.

Watch fan-shot footage of the end of Willie Nelson’s Sunday night set including Vile’s appearance:

Willie Nelson was joined on the bill in Chocolatetown by Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Celisse. The Red Headed Stranger’s set began with “Whiskey River” and featured such beloved favorites as “Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground,” “On The Road Again,” “You Were Always On My Mind” and “Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die.”

The show in Hershey brought the first leg of the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival to a close. A West Coast run starts on July 29 near San Diego featuring Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp and Brittney Spencer.