LUCK REUNION 2019

“YOU’RE EITHER IN LUCK, OR YOU’RE SHIT OUT OF LUCK.”

IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO SXSW YOU KNOW THE CHAOS THAT ENVELOPS AUSTIN.

In the middle of the storm there is a calm - an anti-festival of sorts. Stepping through the gate onto the event grounds of Willie Nelson’s ranch was like crossing the threshold into Narnia - I was in both a place I never expected myself to be and one that instantly felt like home. Each year Willie holds the Reunion on the portion of his property that served as a set during his 1986 film Redheaded Stranger, creating both an otherworldly and comforting environment. Throughout the years the experience has cultivated a familial feeling.

2019’s lineup was stacked back to front bringing a variety of acts including country, soul, rock, and blues artists. This year also welcomed the new “Sources Stage” which featured exclusively female lineup curated by the iconic Mavis Staples. Staples shut the stage down herself and invited the rest of the ladies who had performed on it to join her in a wonderful, heartfelt finale.

In the chapel, Nathaniel Rateliff coaxed tears from the eyes of everyone standing shoulder to shoulder in the tiny room. Outside, there were rows of people flanking the one-room building peering through windows and over shoulders. I was late to Rateliff’s set, not knowing his time had been moved, and by luck alone was pulled through one of those windows and into the chapel to capture the last song of his set. Behind the room Nathaniel gave out hugs and smiles to friends, his blue eyes shining through his own tears.

Something that feels very unique to Luck is the atmosphere they’ve carefully cultivated and maintained. Throughout the day it wasn’t uncommon to see artists mingling in crowds and watching each other without being hounded. You would also see people with traditionally coveted VIP access spending more time just hanging out with everyone else.

LANGHORNE SLIM

MATTHEW LOGAN VASQUEZ

NATHANIEL RATELIFF

QUAKER CITY NIGHTHAWKS

SHAKEY GRAVES

STEVE EARLE AND THE DUKES

THE MARCUS KING BAND

THE NUDE PARTY

WILLIE NELSON

There is something so incredibly special about Luck and we can’t wait to get back to the ranch next year.