EVENT: Farm Aid
Venue: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Date: Sept. 21
Pete Seeger, 94, surprised a crowd of 25,000 at Farm Aid 2013, leading Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews in the anthem “This Land Is Your Land” during the annual benefit for America’s family farmers. Seeger’s appearance was but one highlight of the day-long show that featured Jack Johnson, heading toward No. 1 with new album “From Here to Now to You”; Kacey Musgraves, fresh off six Country Music Assn. nominations; and others including Jamey Johnson, Amos Lee, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Lukas Nelson, Carlene Carter, Bahamas and the Blackwood Quartet. Young’s acoustic set also was a standout, as he covered “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Early Morning Rain,” “Reason to Believe” and more. Farm Aid, launched by Nelson in 1985, has gained momentum in recent years as part of the rising local-food movement. It is now the longest-running concert for a cause in pop music history.