Phil Lesh and Friends performing during the Outlaw Music Festival at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on June 28, 2019
The “outlaw” sound was defined by musicians like Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and, of course, Willie Nelson, and though the movement’s most popular days have long since past, the decades-old genre is still very much alive and kicking. As a testament, the highwayman spirit burned eternal on June 28 as Shotgun Willie, backed by a gang of co-conspirators, brought his esteemed Outlaw Music Festival to the Chicago-land area for an all-day affair at Tinley Park’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.
Those who arrived to the fest early were treated to a plucky jamboree by Americana group Old Crow Medicine Show. The Nashville sextet had fans dancing to tracks like the upbeat & catchy “Tell It To Me” and the stoner gospel song “I Hope I’m Stoned When Jesus Takes Me Home.”
Old Crow Medicine Show performing during the Outlaw Music Festival at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on June 28, 2019
An inspired rendition of “Wagon Wheel” — a tune co-written by Old Crow’s Ketch Secor and Outlaw Music Fest alum Bob Dylan, and later popularized by Hootie & the Blowfish’s Darius Rucker — had fans singing along as Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers made a surprise appearance on banjo. The aforementioned Secor returned the favor, bringing his wicked fiddle skills to the The Avett Brothers’ early-evening set later that night.
The Avett Brothers were undoubtedly a big draw at Outlaw as thousands of fans danced, sang and even cried along with the indie folk group during their enjoyable 75-minute set. A foot-stomping rendition of the pop-infused track “Ain’t No Man” brought the venue to their feet, while gentler tunes like “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” and “Murder in the City,” the latter which prompted more than a few tears, showed off the band’s softer side.
The Avett Brothers performing during the Outlaw Music Festival at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on June 28, 2019
Vocalist Seth Avett later ditched his acoustic guitar for the chance to shred the electric during “The Clearness Is Gone,” conjuring back the sounds of the bygone Monster Ballad era. Later, the singer joined his bandmates for a pair of covers — Randy Travis’ 1987 hit single “Forever and Ever, Amen” and George Jones’ “The Race Is On.” The latter — a beloved staple on The Grateful Dead’s 1981 live album, Reckoning — helped form a smooth transition into Phil Lesh & Friends’ ensuing performance.
While The Avett Brothers performed a whopping 17 songs, Lesh and company opted to fill their 90-minute slot with just a handful of “jam-packed” tracks, laying the groundwork for an interesting night with set-opener “Viola Lee Blues” from The Grateful Dead’s 1967 self-titled debut album. “I Know You Rider” saw Lesh effortlessly picking and harmonizing with his mates while Terrapin Family Band member Jason Crosby managed to rock out not one but two instruments — the keys and violin.
Phil Lesh and Friends performing during the Outlaw Music Festival at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on June 28, 2019
“Terrapin Station” found Lesh and company in joyful spirits, while “Friend of the Devil” was explored at length in a mellow twelve-minute jam with a slight reggae undertone. Notably, both tunes were also played during Dead & Company’s Saturday night performance at Chicago’s iconic Wrigley Field just two weeks ago.
Earlier in the day, Alison Krauss brought her blend of bluegrass-country back to her native state, pairing vocal beauty with spectacular musicianship. The Grammy darling haunted listeners with an emotive performance of “Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us,” from her 2007 album with Robert Plant Raising Sand, only to later soothe them with renditions of O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack contributions “Go to Sleep You Little Baby” and “Down to the River to Pray.”
Alison Krauss performing during the Outlaw Music Festival at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on June 28, 2019
The earliest hours of Outlaw Music Festival were filled with sets by local singer-songwriter Lissie and Los Angeles indie rockers Dawes, while Nelson concluded the day-long fest with a rapid-fire set of fan favorites including “Whiskey River,” “Beer For My Horses” and “Good-Hearted Woman.” Backed by a larger-than-life Texas flag, the 86-year-old country legend later led venue-wide sing-alongs on timeless tracks “Always On My Mind” and “On the Road Again,” prior to welcoming his fellow outlaws to the stage to help close out the night.
Pick up tickets to the Outlaw Music Festival in a city near you and see below for our complete photo gallery from last night’s show in Tinley Park, IL.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
