Lawn chairs. Beer cozies. BBQ. Western shirts and baseball hats. Polarized sunglasses. Chili-loaded french fries. Military honorees. At first glance, Outlaws & Legends looks like a roll call of all things middle-America. At second glance, not much changes. The two-day country music festival returns to Abilene, Texas for a 13th year. However, with the exception of last year’s headliner — Willie Nelson — Outlaws & Legends has very little to do with outlaw country as a genre or an ethos. Outlaw Country Cruise this ain’t. It’s straight down the middle, contemporary Nashville, though perhaps a little less pop-ified than festivals like Stagecoach or Boots in the Park. Previous years included the likes of Curtis Grimes and Merle Haggard, a genuine country legend in his own right. This year’s lineup for “the biggest 1-stage event in Texas” (the festival’s words) has Shane Smith and the Saints, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the Red Clay Strays and Mark Powell, among others.
Legends is held at the Back Porch of Texas; not a literal back porch, but a 93-acre outdoor venue with stages, a two-story pavilion, 14 acres of RV parking and orchards of beautifully languid pecan trees. Merch and memorabilia stands, as well as an array of classic county fair food stalls, are spread over the grounds. The festival raises funds for the Ben Richey Boys Ranch, a local child care organization. This isn’t the place to mosh or crowd surf. Outlaws & Legends will have none of your aloof sarcasm. Bring your RV, your biggest belt buckle and maybe also a raincoat as Legends happens rain or shine. Kick back in your Jimmy Buffet-themed lawn chair, crack open a cold one and feel your irony melt away.
The Specs
- Attendance averages 15,000 per day.
- General Admission passes are $138, VIP passes are $690 and RV passes start at $190.
- Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to Texas here.
FAQs
What is the closest airport to Outlaws & Legends?
Abilene Regional Airport is a 15-minute drive to Back Porch. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a two-and-a-half hour drive.
Is the festival ADA accessible?
Little information is available on Back Porch’s website. Those in need of accessible parking should notify parking attendants upon arrival at the festival.
What is the bag policy?
No information is available on Back Porch’s website.
Who is the Texas music festival’s founder?
Singer-songwriter Mark Powell is the founder of the annual Outlaws & Legends music festival.
Is there lodging nearby?
A range of hotels in Abilene are partnered with the festival. View them here.
Who is on the Outlaws & Legends 2024 lineup?
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Shane Smith & The Saints, Red Clay Strays, Mark Powell, Uncle Lucius, Kevin Fowler, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Jon Wolfe, The Great Divide, Confederate Railroad, Jake Worthington, Bri Bagwell, Kin Faux, Jamie Richards, Jesse Daniel, Dallas Moore.
Other note: Outlaws and Legends was awarded ‘Festival of the Year’ by Texas Regional Radio Music Awards in 2021 and 2023.
Playlists
2024 Poster
