Review: Farm Aid

Photos by Megan True, Special to The Star

Farm Aid is a benefit concert. Its proceeds go to the organization’s programs, which assist family farmers and encourage consumers to buy their products (and not the corporate monolith’s).  Performers at the annual concert donate their time, and the entire show is produced with a spirit of benevolence and purpose: Let’s help the little guy survive the giant.

Saturday, was the 26^th Farm Aid, but it represented two firsts: The first time it came to Kansas; and the first concert at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., home of Sporting KC, our local major league soccer team. 

The show lasted more than 10 hours and comprised 16 acts who were paraded on and off stage with almost military-like precision. There wasn’t much lag time between most sets. The sound was generally good. The only glitch I noticed was some echo toward the north end, across from the stage, especially when the music got hard and electric, like during Lukas Nelson’s set.

The place looked nearly three-fourths full at its fullest – during Neil Young’s set.  (Capacity for soccer is 18,000; for concerts it can be as high as 25,000). The only major complaint: There was no all-for-one jam among the four big headliners, something Farm Aid has been famous for.  In fact, between sets the video screens showed footage of those from previous Farm Aids, like Willie Nelson and Paul Simon singing “Graceland.” 

But given the nature of this event, some benevolence is due. Overall, it was a good day marked by some special moments.

The early sets: The event opened with some gospel music from the Blackwood Quartet, then some meditative songs and poems from John Trudell, an American Indian activist, poet and musician. 

Kansas City’s Hearts of Darkness ignited the mood during its short set (about 15 minutes) with its irresistible mix of funk, R&B, Afro-beat and hip-hop. It started plenty of swaying and dancing amid the few thousand or so in the place at 1:30 p.m. 

Next: Rebecca Pidgeon, a British film actress and singer/songwriter (and wife of David Mamet). She and her band played a set of appealing electric-folk songs. Nelson then came out to introduce one of his contemporaries, Ray Price. He and his five-piece band gave the slowly-growing crowd several of his best-known songs, like “Lonely All the Time,” “Heartaches By the Number,” “City Lights” and “For the Good Times.” 

The next two performers couldn’t have been much different. Robert Francis did the coffeehouse folk thing. Then Billy Joe Shaver did the electric Texas redneck thing. Shaver opened with “Wacko From Waco,” a tale about how he shot a guy in the face outside a bar. He also sang “Georgia on a Fast Train,” “Honky-Tonk Heroes,” “That’s What You Said Last Night” and “Try and Try Again.” 

A lot of us were then introduced to the Boston band Will Dailey and the Rivals, who play a mix of soulful electric folk/roots tunes.

Then Nelson’s family – or part of it—hit the stage. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real play hard and furious electric blues with a country twist – and a little Southern rock thrown in. He doesn’t play guitar like his father, but Lukas did inherit some of his dad’s vocal flavor. His sister Amy contributed background vocals.

Jakob Dylan:  He came out as a duo, looking a bit like his father in the early 1970s.  He gave the crowd stripped-down versions of some of his best-known material (from the Wallflowers’ “Bringing Down the Horses” album), plus a cover of one of Elvis Costello’s best songs.  It was a rather understated, mid-tempo set, but the crowd gave it up for him. Setlist: 6^th Avenue Heartache; Sleepwalker; Nothing But the Whole Wide World; One Headlight; What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding. -- Timothy FInn/The Star

Jamey Johnson: He can write, sing and play like his idols, but he has a long way to go in capturing their charisma and showmanship. Sandwiched between two-piece acts that had no problem filling the stadium with energy Johnson’s seven-piece band – which included guest Lukas Nelson – felt small and distant. All subtleties were washed out and Johnson’s vocals were frequently muddy. 

The 30-minute set started promisingly with “High Cost of Living” and some invigorating piano/pedal steel interplay. Unfortunately, every song after that was a mid-tempo number that failed to both onstage and in the crowd. 

The set picked up some when Nelson took over lead vocals on the blues “Raining in My Heart.” The duet generated some applause before leading into the final song, “Give It Away,” a No. 1 hit for George Straight that Johnson wrote. Unfortunately, what could have been a crescendo ended up a whimper. – Joel Francis

Jason Mraz: Taking the stage shortly before 7 p.m., Mraz faced the biggest crowd of the day so far and drew more applause than any of the preceding acts.  Mraz got an assist delivering his bouncy acoustic folk/pop from longtime friend Toca Rivera on percussion and backing vocals. Their jazzy version of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” (a.k.a. Mr. Roger’s theme song) drew a big reaction.  

Several of his songs fit well with the day’s themes. Mraz said he wrote “Frank D. Fixer” for Farm Aid about the first farmer he knew, his grandpa. The second verse, ending with the line “what happened to the family farm?”

Later, Mraz noted that Farm Aid was like Thanksgiving: The Concert. This set up nicely “Who I Am Today,” a song of gratitude taking stock of the singer’s life. He closed with his biggest hit, the buoyant love ditty, “I’m Yours.” – Joel Francis

Dave Matthews:  The first of the four headliners came out with his silent guitar-playing sidekick, Tim Reynolds, and generated the first uproar of the day.

His nearly 45-minute set would comprise eight songs. Even without the support of a band or any percussion, it prompted plenty of singing and movement among his many fans in the place, a lot of whom were sufficiently beer-buzzed and sun-soaked by that time.  Setlist: Where Are You Going; Save Me; Funny The Way It Is; Crush; Tim Reynolds instrumental; Oh; You and Me; Dancing Nancies. -- T.F.

John  Mellencamp:  He is one of the event’s founding members, and he was a big reason a lot of people showed up on Saturday. Mellencamp will turn 60 in October, and though he isn’t the kinetic live-entertainer he used to be, he can still bring a crowd to its feet with the right song, like “The Authority Song,” which opened the set. He brought a five-piece band that included fiddler Miriam Strum. His voice has evolved into something different, too: a bluesy growl, which serves him well on songs like “Death Letter Blues,” but takes some getting used to on songs like “Small Town” and “Little Pink Houses.” Setlist: The Authority Song; Death Letter Blues; Walk Tall; Check It Out; Jackie Brown (solo); Small Town; Rain on the Scarecrow; If I Die Sudden; Little Pink Houses. - T.F.

Neil Young: Until Young’s set, the preaching about farming and agriculture had been kept to a minimum. He would change that, in speech and in song. He did the coffeehouse/folk thing, too, performing with just an acoustic guitar and a harmonica. He opened with three of his best songs. Then he played two with overt messages, including a new one, the strident “Love and War,” which strained the crowd’s attention. He got it back with his closer, the timeless “Heart of Gold.”  Setlist: Comes a Time; Sugar Mountain; Long May You Run; Peaceful Valley Boulevard; Love and War; Heart of Gold. - T.F.

Willie and Lukas Nelson

Willie Nelson & the Family Band:  The event’s patriarch ended the evening, surrounded by lots of family, including Lukas, Amy and Willie’s sister Bobbie, all in his band. Lukas took over vocals for a couple of numbers, including a tribute to his parents, “Fathers and Mothers. 

I’ve seen Willie many times at various levels of energy; this evening, he looked a little fatigued. It had been a long day.Halfway through the set, he and his band were joined by a singer from Hawaii (didn’t catch his name) who led them through a redemptive, uptempo reggae-infused song about family farming. By then, lots of folks were already starting to head home; he only accelerated that. 

The show ended where it started: with some gospel music. Several members of the opening acts, including some of Mellencamp’s band, came out and joined the reverie. They changed that with some of “Roll Me,” Willie’s post-mortem wish: “Roll me up and smoke me when I die.”

I suppose on a day devoted to praising and supporting local farming and agriculture, it was most appropriate to invoke the crop for which Nelson has become famous and nearly synonymous. 

Setlist: Whiskey River; Still Is Still Moving; Texas Flood; Fathers and Mothers; Goin’ to Kansas City; Good Hearted Woman; Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys; Write Your Own Songs; Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away/I Saw the Light; Roll Me Up. - T.F.

Comments

[Clint]

I listened to most of this on XM and it seemed very boring. Too much politics and not enough music

I got sick of the "Buy Local" thing too. I understand the point but how would they feel if we did the same thing with musical artists? Don't go see anyone that isn't from closer than 500 miles from the venue and for sure don't go if they are on a corporate record label...

Was it better in person?

[Tom Ketcher]

4 hours & $250 Later. I still had not heard any music worth going to see and gave up. One problem was the Row 6 seats I had were in direct sunlight.

There was no information available at the show as to when somebody might take the stage that you actually paid to see. I had $100 tickets and paid an additional $50 to join Farm Aid and I have to say this was the most disappointing Concert I have been to in 45+ years. There is not a decent sightline or such a thing as a good seat in that Stadium for Concerts. Sound was OK but no idea of what was going on, on stage.

Did anybody mention the $6 CB and $9 beer. I hope they raised lots of money for the Farmers but I will never go to that Stadium for any upcoming event. (I don't do soccer or watch paint dry).

Cannot comment on the Groups since I didn't have the 12 hours worth of patience to wait them out. Oh the Air Conditioned Break Areas for Farm Aid members ? Where was it? And while on that subject with the exception of getting on an email list soliciting donations, what are the benefits of joining Farm-Aid? There wasn't anything for members at the Stadium.

[gonzo]

The show was great! Neil Young's set was short and sweet. Willie and the Family rocked the house, and the placed smelled like Bar-B-Q & Funnel Cake all night. Yummy!

[Green]

I had a pretty good time, it was great seeing all the different acts. The short sets were hard to get use to, seems like right when you would start getting into something it would end. The stage seemed way to low, seems like those stages are usually 8 ft high, this one seemed like it was maybe 4, but all and all it was alright and the funds to go a good cause.

[Green]

Very surprised to see empty seats, I figured this concert would have sold out, the cheaper seats looked full but there were patches of empty seats and rows of empty seats on the floor. I wonder how Farm Aid does in other markets? With the lineup how could this not sell out, there were some big names there?

[Dale]

loved it,Will go to the next one too!Lukas Nelson&Promise of the Real,stold the show Wille must be proud of his son !Jakob Dylan aswell ! Bing your dad next time!3rd row !bye p.s.Farmaid looked sold out to me!LOVE&WAR NEIL YOUNG

[Ty]

It was a fun day. Long Live Willie, Neil, John, Dave and the rest of the bands! It was a hot and humid day, but I had a blast! Mellancamp and Mraz were the best two singers and Neil was on his game, too. Willie did look tired, but he and Lukas teamed up for a great cover of Texas Flood. Can't wait for the nest Farm Aid!

[Pat]

They are replaying the show online until 11PM tonight.

www.farmaid.org

[Buy local]

Yeah, I was hoping for a Woddie Guthrie sing along with all the stars, but otherwise a great day on the pitch!!!

[Emily]

I had a good time. As only a marginal fan of most of the acts, I was a little disappointed in them not playing more of their hits. I get it, but it would've made it a little more fun and upbeat towards the end of the night. It was a long day to keep interested in songs I've never heard before.
I would agree with the assessment that Willie looked fatigued. The set didn't seem very tight to me, there were a few moments that the band didn't seem together.
Yes, beer was expensive, but I thought the $5 souvenir water bottles that they would refill with ice water all day were a great plan. I enjoyed the unique food options, as well. (local, organic)
All in all a fun day, but I doubt I would make the effort to travel outside of KC to go again.

[Michael]

does anyone recall Mraz's set list? Thanks!

[Clint]

Neil Young was by far the best act. Willie wasn't good, Mellencamp had moments but didn't put together a great set, Matthews was good. Jamey Johnson didn't do too well. Jakob Dylan was great.

I would have been hugely disappointed if traveling far to see this show though.

Good review Mr. Finn and associates; I think you pretty much nailed the evening.

[Penny]

I'm right there with you, Clint. Agree on all counts...

[Randall]

Of course Elvis Costello made it famous, but "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love & Understanding" is a Nick Lowe composition.

[onthemark]

Good pic's and reviews.

I got to see Billy Joe Shaver Friday night at Knuckleheads, he put on a very entertaining set of just under 2 hours. He performed all the songs listed above plus about a dozen others, including a couple he sang a cappela.

For being 72 years old he is still pretty lively!

[Geordan]

Billie Joe was fun at Knuckleheads Friday night. He did make a small mention after the first song that Willie Nelson wouldn't be showing up at Knuckleheads (which we heard people murmuring about when we arrived) even though Billie Joe "offered him $100.00" Billie Joe will be 72 tomorrow, and man, that guy is pretty lively on stage and has some of the best between-song tales you could ever hope for. Good show, even though Willie didn't surprise us.

I made a donation to Farm Aid although I couldn't be there Saturday. Would have liked to see Neil Young and Willie again, but would have also liked to see Lukas Nelson again. He and his band was awesome at Knuckleheads back in April when he announced Farm Aid would be in KC. Would have also liked to catch up and comer Robert Francis and I find Rebecca Pidgeon intriguing. Glad the show went so well.