Willie Nelson has canceled a major stop on his tour after severe weather damaged equipment ahead of the show.
The 92-year-old country legend was set to headline the 10th anniversary of the Outlaw Music Festival on July 1, 2025, at Lucky Star Amphitheater in El Reno, Oklahoma, alongside Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, and other artists. However, organizers announced the event was canceled following an extreme weather incident days earlier.
In a statement shared on the festival’s official Instagram account, organizers explained that heavy rain and high winds struck Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri, on the evening of June 29, forcing the evacuation of the crowd.
As a result, much of the performers’ equipment and instruments were damaged or waterlogged. “Their condition could not be properly assessed in time to safely proceed with the next scheduled show,” the statement said. The decision was made to cancel the July 1 concert to allow time to repair or replace damaged gear before continuing the tour.
Blackbird Presents, Lucky Star Amphitheater, and DCF Concerts apologized for the cancellation and confirmed that refunds would be issued. Nelson shared the same statement on his own Instagram account.
Fans quickly flooded his comment section with one pressing question: whether Trigger, Nelson’s iconic guitar, had been affected. A representative later confirmed to PEOPLE that “Trigger is safe.”
The Outlaw Music Festival is North America’s largest touring music festival, bringing together legendary artists and fans for live performances, food, and merchandise. Ahead of the tour, Nelson expressed excitement in a press release, calling the 2025 lineup “the biggest and best yet.”
Earlier in the tour, Nelson missed the opening show after feeling unwell. A statement posted to his X account said he had been advised by doctors to rest for several days and was expected to make a full recovery.
Nelson and the rest of the lineup are expected to resume the Outlaw Music Festival tour in Austin, Texas, on July 4.