Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver Lead ‘Luck Reunion’ Lineup

Next month, while the annual South by Southwest rages some 45 minutes to the southeast, the first-ever Luck Reunion will bring artists like Willie Nelson, Jenny Lewis, Billy Joe Shaver, Blitzen Trapper and Lucius to the streets of an old western movie set. 

Nelson has served as one of South by Southwest’s unofficial mayors for decades, hosting showcases and throwing parties for many of the attendees who flood his home state. In recent years, he’s been hosting daylong mini-festivals at his ranch in nearby Spicewood, too, setting up a series of stages, food trucks and beer tents on the streets of a western town originally built as the set of his 1986 film Red Headed Stranger. Some things have changed this year, but the inaugural Luck Reunion, which begins at noon on Friday, March 18th, promises to give its patrons a familiar break from the chaos and clutter of Austin’s Sixth Street, without skimping on the bands. 

Loosely focused on Texas legends, roots-rock favorites and Americana up-and-comers, the event’s lineup also includes John Moreland, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Joe Pug, Sam Outlaw, Parker Millsap, Margo Price, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Jonny Fritz, Andrew Combs and nearly 20 additional acts, as well as a yet-to-be-announced special guest. Shows will take place in a revival tent, on a main stage and inside a cozy, 40-seat chapel. In additional to headlining Friday’s show, Nelson will also perform a nighttime set during the Chefs’ Pot Luck on Thursday, March 17th.