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Music that nourishes the farm

(Extended Farm Aid Photo gallery - click here)

Farm Aid 2013
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Springs, New York
Sept. 21, 2013

Willie Nelson

Dave Matthews

Neil Young

Story & photos by Jennifer Bronenkant

Legendary folk singer and New York state resident Pete Seeger made a surprise appearance at the 28th Annual Farm Aid Concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). At 94 his voice is all but gone but his affable spirit is alive and well. After a solo of "If I Had A Hammer" accompanied by the voices of many of the 25,000 audience members, Seeger brought the four Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews to sing Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land." He not only included an often skipped verse to the song much to the delight of Neil Young, he added a new verse protesting the controversial practice of fracking. Even at his advanced age, it is clear that this man is still relevant and adored by the people.

The all day concert featured a variety of performers in a fast moving lineup that included short sets by early acts, several of whom were Farm Aid founders' family members such as Insects vs Robots featuring Willie's son Micah Nelson, Neil Young's wife Pegi Young & The Survivors, and another of Willie's son's Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Other acts included another member of a Country royalty family Carlene Carter, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Amos Lee and Kacey Musgraves. Farm Aid regular Jamey Johnson and Jack Johnson on his second Farm Aid appearance played longer sets.

The rest of the evening went to the board members beginning with Dave Matthews who played with Tim Reynolds. Clearly many in the crowd were Matthews fans as the energy level rose substantially when the duo took the stage for their acoustic set which included "If Only," "Save Me" and "So Damn Lucky."

John Mellencamp followed with an energetic set of oldies that had the whole audience singing along. Opening with "The Authority Song" saying he feels the same way now as when he wrote the song at 23. "We can't let the big man shove us around!" He filled the set will his greatest hits including "Jack and Diane", "Small Town" and "Pink Houses." At one point he asked if the audience wanted to hear a new or an old song next which garnered a resounding "old!" response.

Neil Young had a message to share. He spent quite a bit of his set speaking on issues affecting the land and encouraging people to fight for causes. At one point a cry of "Let's go!" came from someone in the crowd who clearly had never experienced a Neil Young Farm Aid set before. Young responded by simply stating, "I work for me" before continuing with the rant. In between sharing his message, Young performed a solo acoustic set of songs mostly by other writers including Bob Dylan's "Blowing In The Wind," Ivory Joe Hunter's "Since I Met You Baby," and Tim Hardin's "Reason To Believe" before finishing the set speaking of folk singer Phil Ochs' sad end and covering his "Changes."

Ending the night was Willie Nelson and Family's set. Joined by son Lukas, Nelson performed several old favorites such a "Whiskey River," "Good Hearted Woman" and "Moms Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" along with covers showcasing his son "Just Breathe" and "Texas Flood." Many of the performers from the day joined the stage to finish the night with "Roll Me Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die" and "I Saw The Light."

The Farm Aid concert is an event that is about music with a message of the importance of family farming to the health of the land and the people of this country. The beautiful grounds of SPAC also featured the Homegrown Village - a collection of booths with information and demonstrations of good food and farming along with a stage which featured musical performances by The Parlor and Will Dailey throughout the day. The event promoted organic and locally grown food - vendors sold barbecued pork chops, jalapeno corn dogs, fresh fruit and even a favorite from nearby Canada the Poutine which is french fries covered in gravy and cheese curds.

For more information on Farm Aid, visit http://www.farmaid.org.

Farm Aid 2012
Farm Aid 2011
Farm Aid 2010
Farm Aid 2002