On September 9, Farm Aid will take place in New York City for the first time. While the festival's roots are firmly planted in the Midwest, last year the multi-band gathering moved east, taking place at Camden, NJ's E Centre. Longtime Farm Aid anchors Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp announced the event at New York's Union Square today, along with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The day-long gathering will take place on Randall's Island, which has hosted numerous festivals in other years, including the Warped Tour, Little Steven's Underground Garage Festival, the Tibet Freedom concert, the Cure's Curiosa Festival and two editions of Dave Matthews' Summer Getaway. In late July, Randall's Island will also host the Rock the Bells festival, which features Rage Against the Machine, Wu-Tang Clan and the Roots, among others. Previous Farm Aids have taken place in Champaign, IL (1985), Manor, TX (1986), Lincoln, NE (1987), Indianapolis, IN (1990), Irving, TX (1992), Ames, IA (1993), New Orleans, LA (1994), Louisville, KY (1995), Columbia, SC (1996), Tinley Park, IL (1997-98), Bristow, VA (1999-2000), Noblesville, IN (2001), Burgettstown, PA (2002), Columbus, OH (2003), Seattle, WA (2004), Tinley Park, IL (2005) and Camden, NJ (2006).

As in past years, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews will headline the event, which is known to draw a mix of rock, country, folk and bluegrass musicians. Matthews' inclusion likely accounts for the lack of a New York City concert on Dave Matthews Band's summer schedule.

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