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Heading into Luck Reunion this year, there was a sense of unease. 2023 proved to be a tough year for the festival with food options running out before sunset, hours-long waits for shuttles and far more crowding than in previous years.
With clouds looming overhead, some were wondering if they were getting themselves in the same predicament this year or if the Reunion would redeem itself.
There is a charm to Luck that you can’t find anywhere else, partly due to the location, which is part of the film setting for 1986’s Red Headed Stranger on Willie Nelson’s ranch.
However, a lot of the credit is owed to those lucky enough to attend the one-day festival. Each year, the opportunity to purchase tickets is given in a lottery system. This technique, coupled with the limited availability of tickets, seems to create a much more gracious crowd.
This year felt like a return to the Reunion's of years past. Here are some of our favorite moments from Luck Reunion 2024.
Ogi
Ogi was a name suggested to Holler when we asked what up-and-coming act we could not miss at Luck Reunion 2024.
While her music is described mostly as R&B, her influences from jazz and hip hop are obvious. She performed her highly acclaimed debut EP, 2022's Monologues, in full on the Barn stage on Thursday afternoon.
A lifelong musician, Ogi performed her set with an incredible amount of control.
The Red Clay Strays
The hottest name heading in to 2024’s festival season was The Red Clay Strays. During their headline performance under the Barn Tent, the act proved exactly why that was the case.
The tent filled quickly, drawing fans from the main stage following Tyler Childers’ set, and the intimate performance felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
While Brandon Coleman draws understandable comparisons to Elvis, their differences are more plentiful. Getting to witness the group live proves that they are blazing a trail that's uniquely their own.
Lucius x Dawes
Dawes and Lucius have teamed up for their current Tag Team Tour. Alternating between their individual catalogs and meticulously chosen covers, the two groups meld together seamlessly as one.
Dawes and Lucius started their set with a rousing performance of ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ by Pink Floyd. The live harmonies are spectacular and this collaboration is one we certainly won’t forget.
Zella Day
Zella Day emerged under the white revival tent in a matching white pant-suit. It was a warm, ethereal setting for the artist’s hypnotic, alt-pop tracks.
Later in the set, she was joined by partner and collaborator Jesse Woods. The duo, named Chaparelle, channel inspiration from classic country duets like George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
Texas Wild
The Texas Wild's set was based around their album of the same name - a one-of-a-kind record benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, pairing a beloved, reimagined Texas song with a renowned Texas musician.
Hosted by Walker Lukens and supported by The Texas Gentlemen, the set was dynamic and surprising, with electrifying mash-ups like Toadies’ vocalist Vaden Todd Lewis belting out Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Since U Been Gone’ and Uncle Roy & Spice and The Soul Supporters singing Destiny’s Child’s ‘Say My Name’.
Evan Honer
Holler favorite Evan Honer is busy carving out space in the country music sphere with his own ‘emo-country’. The 22-year-old Arizona native made a stop at Luck in the middle of his current idk sh*t about tours trek.
During his 40-minute set, featuring ‘Mr. Meyers’ and ‘Jersey Giant’, an impressive group of onlookers formed under the Barn Tent, crowding around to listen.
Tami Neilson
For the first time in twenty years, Tami Neilson reunited with two of her brothers on stage.
Growing up, The Neilsons were a traditional country band made up of a five-member family. While Tami still plays regularly with her brother, guitarist Jay Neilson, she was accompanied by her other sibling, Todd, on drums at this year's Reunion.
Fittingly, Neilson’s set focused on her upcoming project, Neilson Sings Nelson, and showcased her traditional roots.
Old Crow Medicine Show
Best known for their hit ‘Wagon Wheel’, Old Crow Medicine Show proved that they're anything but a one-trick-pony.
The outfit came out in a blaze with ‘Alabama High-Test’ and rarely let their energy drop, taking a breath only to perform ‘Hillbilly Highway’ with Steve Earle and harmonica luminary Mickey Raphael.
Toadies
The Toadies were a surprising addition to the 2024 Luck Reunion lineup – even to the band themselves!
Scheduled during the same timeslot as the Red Clay Strays the crowd that gathered under the Revival Tent was impressive. The set included fan favorites, concluding with ‘Possum Kingdom’ and giving attendees the first look at new music with ‘The Charmer’.
Daniel Donato
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country ripped the main stage around mid-day, pulling heavily from 2023’s Reflector.
The band’s live performance weaves soaring solos on Donato’s telecaster with twangy riffs and mastery on the keys. The free-spirited jam band captivated their audience for every bit of their 40-minute set.
Lukas Nelson
In 2023, Lukas was noticeably missing from the Luck lineup. This year, we were surprised to see he was scheduled to perform in the Chapel.
Having seen Nelson's previous main stage sets, this more intimate performance was one of those “something like this will never happen again” moments that only Luck can produce. The set included collaborations, opening with Tyler Childers on Hank Williams’ ‘Old Country Church’ and closing with Lucius on ‘Forget About Georgia’.
If you were able to find yourself inside by some sort of miracle or were huddled around one of the small windows, you were amongst the luckiest group of people at the Ranch.
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For more coverage and information on Luck Reunion, see below:
