***UPDATE*** 4/14/21 11 A.M.
The three-day lineup has been released.
Florida Georgia Line has been added as the Thursday headliner, while Jon Pardi will headline Saturday. Sam Hunt remains on the bill as the Friday headliner.
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***UPDATE*** 4/13/21 5:30 P.M.
Country singer Morgan Wallen has announced he will not be performing at all this summer, meaning he will not be appearing at Tailgate N’ Tallboys.
In a letter he wrote and posted on Twitter, he said “I’ve found this time away to be very valuable to me in many ways, but I feel like I need a little more of it, + therefore will not be performing tour dates this summer.”
He was also scheduled to open for Luke Bryan on a nationwide tour.
— morgan wallen (@MorganWallen) April 13, 2021
However, President of USA Concerts Wayne Klein says the festival will now be extended to three days, instead of two.
According to Klein, existing two-day ticket buyers will be automatically upgraded to a three-day pass. Tailgate N’ Tallboys plans to release the new headliner Wednesday, when Saturday’s lineup will also be announced.
Tailgate N’ Tallboys Festival will now be 12 artists over 3 days at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex June 3-5, 2021, Peoria, Illinois.
“I’m disappointed in Wallen’s withdrawal but grateful for our community who has shown an amazing amount of support for Tailgate N’ Tallboys this year,” said Klein. “It has been a long pandemic lockdown, and we’re all looking for a safe and fun opportunity to kick-off the summer.”
Klein noted that tickets are currently limited as the festival plans on a safe environment for the summer concerts.
“Wallen’s news is a big disappointment to our central Illinois country fans and to the local planning teams who have worked relentlessly to organize our Thursday night kickoff concert,” said Klein. “I’d like to take this time to thank the USA Concerts’ team on their determined passion for bringing top artists to Peoria.”
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PEORIA, Ill. — After the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex said in a statement Friday they were not hosting Morgan Wallen’s concert at their venue as part of Tailgate N’ Tallboys, the owner of the music festival has told WMBD News Wallen is still planned to be in Peoria, even if its not at Louisville Slugger.
“The venue is not allowing us to have Morgan Wallen at their facility at the moment,” said owner Wayne Klein. “I’m working with Morgan’s camp every single day to make sure he’s following the correct steps.”
Klein said they obviously don’t condone the actions taken by Wallen, but he does deserve forgiveness if he takes the correct steps.
“If Morgan’s following the correct steps, the show will go on,” said Klein.
Klein has been told the Nashville NAACP President has reached out to Wallen regarding the video released last week. Klein said he has reached out to Pastor Marvin Hightower, Peoria NAACP President, to hopefully “extend an olive branch” and make sure Wallen is on the right track.
Klein said they are not sure where the concert will be held at this time, but the Friday and Saturday shows at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex will still go on.
Tailgate N’ Tallboys will be releasing the Saturday lineup “in the next couple weeks,” according to Klein.
Full interview with Klein:
