Lukas Nelson and Neil Young (l-r) performing with Promise of the Real, Farm Aid 2017 (photo by John Patrick Gatta)

Neil Young recently revealed that he would not be playing this year’s Farm Aid. The news was first reported by Jambase, who found the intel in a statement Young posted on his Young Archives website responding to a 21-year-old fan named Tyler Senatore.

Senatore wrote to Young about sound quality, inspiration, and his desire to see Young at Farm Aid this year, he wrote, “I heard you are playing at Farm Aid this year, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to go.” Young, who is also a board member for the benefit concert, responded, “I will not be at Farmaid this year. I am not ready for that yet. I don’t think it is safe in the pandemic. I miss it very much.”

Young has not performed publically since the COVID-19 pandemic started and has been a stalwart supporter of health and safety persuasions since they became apparent. Farm Aid is set to take place at Raleigh’s Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek on Saturday, Sept. 24. Fellow board members, Neil’s fellow board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Margo Price are all set to perform.

Today it was revealed that Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Allison Russell, Charley Crockett, Brittney Spencer, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real and Particle Kid (Micah Nelson) round out the Farm Aid 2022 lineup. 

“Everywhere we go, we hear from festivalgoers that there’s nothing quite like the Farm Aid experience,” shared Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar. “Farmers and eaters are inspired and empowered at the intersection of music and family farm food to support the source of our food — family farmers — and to join farmers in fighting for our soil and water.”

Pre-sale tickets will be available on July 27 starting at 10 a.m. ET. General onsale tickets go on sale July 30 at 10 a.m. ET. Find tickets to Farm Aid here.

Read the message from Young’s 21-year-old fan and his response below:

T: Hi Neil I’m not sure if this will reach you directly, but if it does, hi! My name is Tyler and I’m 21 years old. For the last three or so years I started listening to your music and exploring your library of records. I just wanted to tell you how much of an inspiration you are to me. I grew up in the Bay Area in South San Francisco, later moving to Belmont. I never realized you also lived in the Bay Area until last year. Your message you give about music quality and the environment are so wonderful and mean a lot to me. Sound quality is so important, and for years now I’ve been adding on to my record and CD collection, a large majority of it being your work. Anyways, I appreciate all you do, and ik always looking forward to your new music. I heard you are playing at Farm Aid this year, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to go! All the Best, Tyler Senatore

Y: Thanks Tyler. Much appreciated. I will not be at Farmaid this year. I am not ready for that yet. I don’t think it is safe in the pandemic. I miss it very much. love be well neil