Farm Aid moves west to Washington state

SEATTLE, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Farm Aid organizers have decided to move the annual concert to Washington state from the event's traditional Midwest locale, it was reported Tuesday.

Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp will host the concert Sept. 18 in Auburn, Wash., near Seattle, at the White River Amphitheater on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation, Rolling Stone said.

The event is moving because Washington is home to more than 30,000 family farms assisted by funds from the musical event.

"It's a great time for Farm Aid to head to the West Coast," Nelson, president of Farm Aid, said. "We're proud to honor their contributions and recognize the northwest region as a leader in building family farm systems."

The performance lineup, including sets by Matthews, Nelson, Young and Mellencamp, will be announced later this month.

Tickets for the event, in its 19th year, go on sale Saturday through Ticketmaster or at the White River Amphitheater box office.