Willie Nelson’s recent concert cancellation left fans wondering what went wrong just days before the show. Set to headline the 10th anniversary of the Outlaw Music Festival in El Reno, Oklahoma, the country legend abruptly called off the July 1 performance.

Here’s a closer look at the reason behind the cancellation. 

Willie Nelson cancelled his concert due to damaged equipment

Willie Nelson has cancelled his July 1, 2025, concert at the Outlaw Music Festival in El Reno, Oklahoma. This announcement came after a violent storm earlier in the tour caused significant damage to equipment and instruments. The country music legend was set to headline the anniversary show at Lucky Star Amphitheater alongside Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, and more. However, extreme weather during a previous stop in Ridgedale, Missouri, made it impossible for the performance to move forward.

According to an official statement shared on the Outlaw Music Festival’s Instagram account, a severe weather system hit Thunder Ridge Nature Arena on the evening of June 29. Heavy rain and strong winds led to an emergency evacuation of the crowd, leaving significant damage in their wake. In the aftermath, organizers discovered that both technical equipment and the performers’ personal instruments had been soaked or damaged.

Because of the extent of the damage, there wasn’t enough time to determine whether any of the equipment could be safely used for the next show. As a result, the team decided to cancel the El Reno concert. They did so to focus on recovery and keep the rest of the tour on track.

In the announcement, organizers Blackbird Presents, Lucky Star Amphitheater, and DCF Concerts expressed regret and offered apologies to fans for the cancellation. They also confirmed that ticket holders would be issued full refunds.

Nelson reposted the same message to his own Instagram account, where fans quickly took to the comment section. Some even expressed concern for Trigger, his beloved guitar. A representative for Nelson later reassured PEOPLE that Trigger was “safe.”