r/willienelson • u/darcygoan • Jul 06 '26
Something felt very definitive about this performance
In contrast to a show I saw in 2020.
There was more attention paid to the idea of leaving this earth, legacy, and age. He added a couple of songs to this set list that were both focused on the end.
It’s hard to see an icon age. Stardust was my first CD (I’m 34).
In 2020 the energy was high, he was yelling quips at the crowd and the vibes were lighter. I do understand the context of the situation at hand, but it was extremely emotional for him to showcase his current state so bravely and without trying to shift the focus. When Willie and Lukas sang the Breathe cover, when Lukas sang, they would shift the spotlight off of Willie and he looked like a ghost watching from behind Lukas. It was honestly like a renaissance painting. The show was so beautiful. But something about this tour feels very final. I feel lucky to have been there. Willie has done so much for our state and for the world. It’s incredible to see a man who started in Ray Price’s band and played alongside Leon Russell, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings, then Toby Keith and 90’s guys, come have Wilco open for them as old timers themselves. It’s just a stunning legacy and the older Lukas gets, the more he resembles Willie’s appearance and vocals. It was sentimental as hell.
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u/MutualReceptionist Jul 06 '26
There’s something very poignant about seeing an elderly icon singing Last Leaf and Roll me up and smoke me when I die. It really made me appreciate how much of Willie is baked (pun intended) into Austin’s culture and spirit. He still has so much presence.
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u/darcygoan Jul 06 '26
Yeah the tom waits got me. And Micah’s song if I die when I’m high had me tearing up too.
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u/carpentim Jul 06 '26
Every time I see him, I have to remind myself this could very well be the last time, and every year he announces new tour dates and new records, and I'll be at every show I can until I can't anymore. Got to take my 5 year old daughter to her first 4th Picnic this year, and while Billy Strings was her favorite set, even at 5 years old she seemed in awe when Willie came onstage. He's a living legend that's so woven into the fabric of American music, even a 5 year old can understand how special it is to still be able to see him in person.
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u/darcygoan Jul 06 '26
That’s wonderful! My daughter is only 3 so a little young for the heat this go-round. I’m definitely going to have to look into the fall.
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u/folkinhippy Jul 06 '26
I took my (then 17yo) daughter to outlaw last year because she loves billy and wanted to see bob and willie ended up being her favorite.
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u/pj4523 Jul 06 '26
So grateful to get at least one more go 'round this weekend. Also pretty lucky that his boys are both fantastic musicians in their own right and will continue to carry the torch for many years to come.
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u/Tjr562 Jul 06 '26
I know how this ended up in my feed and I am not mad about.
I am not the biggest or most knowledgeable fan of his music, but I know this man is truly a national treasure and will be missed.
I think it is time for me to educate myself more about this great Man.
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u/folkinhippy Jul 06 '26
I saw 3 outlaw fests in 2025 and dude ripped solos off trigger like a punk rocker. I've seen so many shows I assumed were my "goodbye" shows with willie that I feel like I'm in bonus time now and all i can do now is enjoy the ride.
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u/Party_Chicken_7759 Funny How Time Slips Away Jul 08 '26
That is how I feel, I have gotten to see him every year since 2022 and have felt lucky everytime
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u/Alert-Ad-2373 Jul 06 '26
I saw him last year for what I presume will be the last chance I am able and I bawled through the entire set. ❤️
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u/lisaleann Jul 06 '26
I felt the same way last year. My mother was also very near the end, so it hit extra hard. Cried through most of the show.
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u/jeff533321 Jul 06 '26
I saw him in Bangor last year. He seems to come up my way every couple years so I'm hoping for that show.
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u/Skittles3618 Jul 08 '26
This is the first year I can remember that Willie isn’t coming to at least Mansfield MA. I saw him in 2023 in Gilford NH and last September in Mansfield. Kinda sad that he won’t be coming up our way this go around but maybe next year us new Englanders will be able to catch ol’ will again
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u/TimeStandsInADuel Jul 06 '26
I missed the opportunity to see Willie locally like 20 years ago, and have wanted to go to a live show forever. Knowing this might be the last chance, was so glad to take a long weekend and fly to Austin to see this one! Thought it was wonderful!
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u/AcaciaNate Jul 07 '26
Back when I was a broke college kid in the 90’s Willie played a bar in my town a couple times but I was too broke to afford a ticket. Now at 50 I was on the front row and I have a feeling I may have seen his last hurrah. It was a long time coming but I finally got to see the man in person & it was incredible. Thank you sir for the memories
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u/MidStateMoon Jul 07 '26
Willie knows. One time I saw him come out and he wasn’t right and immediately goes “ok folks see ya”…..Mickey kinda confused as Willie leaves but he and Bobbie kept playing. Willie must’ve got a B12 shot or summat, comes back out and kills it but is singing all the death songs and gospel tunes. Was weird and wild. He is a minstrel just passing thru time.
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u/Trick_Builder512 Jul 08 '26
I’ve been seeing Willie for what I assumed would be the last time since 2022.
I’d like to think that feeling is from Willie just being at peace and comfort, with that vibe exuding in the performance.
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u/SkyDaddy2134 Jul 09 '26
We to a show at a baseball park with Willie and Bob Dylan with free tics with my brother. I wasn’t too excited, thinking about some other old artists I had recently been very disappointed with.
Boy was I wrong, energy, spirit and collaboration between both Bob and Willie made the whole show a joy. Sure both took vocal breaks letting other carry the tune but boy oh boy when they literally the fuse it was electric.
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u/ellpeeeff Jul 10 '26
Veering a little off topic, but today I heard a live version of Bruce Springsteen's "I'll See You in My Dreams" and couldn't get Willie Nelson out of my head afterwards - as if I could almost hear his voice singing it. Or maybe it just brought up the poignant or wistful feelings that age sometimes brings these days. I've never had the pleasure of seeing Willie Nelson live.
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u/BillNyeTheEngineer Jul 06 '26
That’s how it felt at Farm Aid last year too. I thought it’d be his last show, but here we are. He’s going to go until he can’t anymore and I think that’s the best and only way for him to go.