The annual VetsAid festival, founded by Joe Walsh’s nonprofit organization to support veterans, is returning on November 15, 2025, after last year’s unexpected cancellation. The highly anticipated ninth edition of the festival will be livestreamed from the INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita, Kansas, starting at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
This year’s lineup promises an exciting evening for music lovers, featuring full sets from renowned artists Vince Gill, Ryan Bingham, and The Texas Gentlemen, and a special set from Joe Walsh alongside Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and Nathaniel Rateliff, among others. Tickets for the live show are priced at $50, available at selectaseat.com/vetsaid, while viewers can access the livestream through Veeps.com for $14.99. Additionally, fans can purchase merchandise bundles, with all proceeds directed towards veterans’ services initiatives.
As part of this year’s event, the organization has also revealed the recipients of the grants that will benefit from the festival. Notable local community grant winners include the Wichita Police and Fire Foundation, Midwest Battle Buddies, and the KanVet United Foundation, while national grant recipients encompass organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Foundation and Our Military Kids.
Walsh expressed his heartfelt connection to Wichita, stating, “It’s a long-term goal of mine… to bring it all home to my native Wichita to serve Kansan veterans and their families.” This sentiment highlights the festival’s purpose of supporting those who have sacrificed so much for the country. Since its inception nearly a decade ago, VetsAid has disbursed over $4 million in grants, and future distributions will focus on organizations based in Kansas.
The festival’s legacy includes past performances by icons such as Ringo Starr, James Taylor, and ZZ Top, with a remarkable lineup even during the pandemic, showcasing the commitment to veterans’ support. As Walsh takes pride in giving back to those who served, VetsAid continues to be a significant force in the community.
On a separate note in the music world, Nina Simone’s final studio album, “A Single Woman: The Complete Elektra Recordings,” will be released, showcasing her indelible influence on jazz and soul. This collection includes previously unreleased material from the sessions that produced her 1993 album, symbolizing a poignant return for the iconic artist as fans celebrate her enduring impact in the music industry.
Both VetsAid and the legacy of Nina Simone represent the vibrant intersection of music and social responsibility, reinforcing the idea that music can be a powerful vehicle for change and support.