Willie Nelson says his first concert back after illness will be a Fourth of July picnic

After missing it Outlaw Musical festival's first seven shows due to an unspecified illness, Willie Nelson will return to the July 4th concert stage in Camden, New Jersey — just across the river from Philadelphia — for his annual July 4th picnic. However, he will attend Tuesday's show at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

“Willie Nelson can't wait to see everyone in Camden on the 4th of July.” reads a post on Nelson's Instagram page. “He won't be turning up at Mansfield tonight. Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and Celisse will appear as scheduled. Plus, Lucas Nelson and family, along with some special guests, will once again play his own set of Willie's classics and other songs.”

Taking place outside of Texas for the first time in 14 years, the Thursday 4th of July picnic is essentially an expanded version of a typical Outlaw festival tour stop where regular headliners Nelson, Dylan, Plant and Krauss and Celisse will be joined by Maren. Morris and Mavis Staples.

Lucas Nelson filled in for his father every night of the Outlaw tour up to this point. Playing alongside harmonica player Mickey Raphael and other members of Willie's band, Lukas delivered a set that combined classics such as 'On the Road Again', 'Crazy' and 'Funny How Time Slips Away' alongside original compositions of such as “Just Outside of Austin” and “Find Yourself.” They were joined by Edie Brickell in Syracuse, New York and Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The tour comes just four weeks after Lucas announced his band Promise of the Real was on hiatus after 15 years together, including several tours supporting Neil Young.

“Lucas plans to continue writing, recording and playing shows, while the rest of us will continue to pursue our own projects and artistic aspirations.” they wrote in a group statement. “Expect to see a lot more art from all of us in the near future. We continue to enjoy playing together and plan to work together again in the future, both individually and as a team. For now, you can see the band release in the summer of 2024. Thanks to all Realers for your endless support. You are the best fans in the world. We love you and we'll see you on the road.”