As followers on the off-site car parking zone board a shuttle that can take them to their ultimate vacation spot — Willie Nelson’s coveted Luck Reunion — Noah Kahan’s “All My Love” performs from the bus’ audio system, setting a rallying and welcoming tone for the lengthy day forward.
Celebrating its twelfth yr, the Luck Reunion affords a well-crafted lineup of identified names and rising expertise, which this yr contains the anticipated headliner of Willie Nelson and Household in addition to Tyler Childers, Dawes with Lucius, the Purple Clay Strays, Durand Jones and extra. As for rising stars, Dylan LeBlanc, Madi Diaz, Ogi and extra rounded out the lineup of over 40 acts.
Held at Luck Ranch, the expansive plot of land included all a festivalgoer might need or want: free beer; a well-selected number of meals distributors from Hattie B’s Scorching Rooster to native BBQ, lobster rolls and extra; distributors promoting every thing from classic cowboy boots to customized western hats; plus an on-site Willie’s Reserve store providing CBD and hemp merchandise and extra.
Earlier within the day, the legend and host himself introduced his upcoming album The Border, out Might 31 — simply over a month after the singer-songwriter will flip 91. (On the Ranch, there was just one commercial for the album, a poster of the album artwork close to the doorway with a QR code to scan for extra data.)
To coincide with the information, Nelson launched the undertaking’s lead single and title monitor, his tackle Rodney Crowell’s “The Border,” co-written by Crowell and Allen Shamblin for the previous’s 2019 album Texas.
Under, learn on for 5 classes realized after coming into the sacred house of Luck Ranch.
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It is Willie’s Wonderland
The second you step onto the grounds of “Willie’s Yard” in Spicewood Texas, there’s no mistaking the place you might be. There’s a Hollywood-inspired “LUCK” signal atop a hill, a Luck Reunion picket archway and a handful of levels are branded with a “Luck Reunion” neon signal. However it hardly ends there. The power of the Willie Nelson model is inescapable at Luck Ranch — and rightfully so. On the major merchandise tent, the place Luck Reunion and Luck, Texas merch is aplenty, there are additionally T-shirts and hats studying “Willie For President.” And a bit past, there’s Willie’s Reserve, a small store with much more Willie-inspired merch, from ashtrays and hemp or CBD joints to t-shirts, totes, mugs and extra.
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The Grounds Had been Constructed as a Film Set
Inbuilt 1985 because the backdrop for the movie Purple Headed Stranger, an adaptation of Nelson’s album of the identical title, the Luck Ranch set was meant to be burned to the bottom for the movie’s ultimate scene, however the nation music star scrapped these plans final minute, opting to maintain the set as a part of his sprawling central Texas property. Situated simply 45 minutes outdoors Austin in a city known as Luck, Texas, Nelson and his associates use the previous western set as a gathering place. Ultimately, the crew determined to ask others in for a day of music every March — timed to SXSW — dubbed “Luck Reunion.”
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Its Most important Stage Is Photo voltaic-Powered
In 2023, Luck Reunion partnered with REVERB to develop into the primary U.S competition to have a 100% solar-powered major stage, which resulted in a 90% lower of gasoline consumption. The solar-power stage returned to the 2024 competition — and the concept of a sustainable future didn’t cease there as electrical Rivian vehicles had been on show for attendees to inquire about and even hop in to check out for themselves.
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The Crowd’s Vibe Is Unmatched
There may be an air of “luck” that radiates all through the competition — doubtless given the character of the tickets by draw system. Plus, there’s the truth that those that are there doubtless had a little bit of a journey to get in because the fest is a bit outdoors of Austin — lending to the distant and curated nature that makes Luck Reunion really feel significantly particular. And, in fact, there’s additionally the small element that beer is included with admission.
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It is a True Household Affair
At 5 p.m., hours forward of the anticipated Willie Nelson & Household headlining gig, the legend’s son Lukas Nelson has his personal solo slot inside the on-site Chapel. Given the tiny venue’s tiny capability — the house holds precisely 49 folks — followers had been leaning into the attractive stained-glass home windows hoping to listen to a little bit of his set. However for individuals who couldn’t get shut sufficient to benefit from the intimate efficiency, Willie’s closing set — the final of greater than 40 performances throughout the day — at all times delivers.
