Farm Aid 2017 Hosts Huge Performances By Neil Young, Dave Matthews, And More [Pro-Shot Video/Photo]

Back in 1985, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp joined forces and organized the first-ever Farm Aid, with Dave Matthews joining the organization in 2001. The long-running nonprofit concert series seeks to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to support farming families, and since its inception has raised more than $50 million dollars. Over the weekend, on September 16th, Farm Aid returned once again to Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh, bringing with it an all-star one-day lineup featuring Nelson, Young, Mellencamp, and Matthews in addition to Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Margo Price, Blackberry Smoke, and more.

Dave Matthews Debuts New Song, And Neil Young Returns To The Stage At Farm Aid [Video]

The charitable music benefit played host to a number of outstanding musical moments. During Dave Matthews set with Tim Reynolds, Matthews debuted a new song called “Odds Are Against Us.” After noting that he had written the song recently and that he had just played it for Reynolds, Matthews warned, “Let’s see what happens” before diving into the new tune. Farm Aid also saw a fiery performance by Neil Young, who has been canceling the majority of his appearances due to illness (including his scheduled appearance to induct Pearl Jam into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) and who hasn’t performed publically for the majority of this year save a cameo appearance during Willie Nelson’s set at Stagecoach in April.

You can watch Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds debut “Odds Are Against Us,” plus watch the majority of the performances by Neil Young and John Mellencamp below. You can also check out a photo gallery by Sam Watson capturing some of the magic that went down at this year’s Farm Aid.

Neil Young, “Fuckin’ Up”