10 "Don't Miss" Acts at Newport Folk

Roger Waters

Roger Waters needs no introduction. He’s the well known co-founder of Pink Floyd, simply one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time. He’s planning a special show on Friday designed specifically for the Newport Folk Festival. His set begins at 6:30 PM on the Fort Stage. It should be pretty spectacular.  

Calexico

Calexico is a critically acclaimed Americana band that blurs the boundaries between Folk, Rock, and Tejano creating a sound with a unique Tex-Mex vibe. The core of the band is made up of songwriter/lead vocalist Joey Burns and drummer Jon Convertino. They’ve been together almost 20 years and return to the Festival with an impressive new release Edge of the Sun. Catch them Friday on the Quad Stage at 2:50 PM.

Haunt The House

Festival rookies and local favorites Haunt the House will bring intense songwriting and organic harmonies to the Harbor Stage on Friday. We are anticipating a break out performance from one of Rhode Island’s top Americana/Folk acts, led by Will Houlihan. Get there early Friday as they are officially the first band on the Harbor Stage beginning at 11:00 AM.

Heartless Bastards

Cincinnati’s Heartless Bastards are a garage rock band making their first festival appearance this year. The band, often compared to The Black Keys, is led by female vocalist Erica Wennerstrom. They’re scheduled to play the Harbor Stage on Friday at 5:00 PM. For more Bastards, check out their rockin’ new release Restless Ones.

Courtney Barnett

The award for lyric of the year so far for 2015 goes to Aussie upstart Courtney Barnett who channels Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues, the ghost of Kurt Cobain and the edgy sincerely of Liz Phair.

“Put me on a pedestal and I’ll only disappoint you. Tell me I’m exceptional I promise to exploit you. “

The lyrics from “Pedestrian at Best,” a tune from her critically acclaimed new album Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit. She’s got a folky acoustic side to balance her grungy rock sound. Don’t miss her on the Quad stage Saturday at 2:55 PM.

Jason Isbell

Jason Isbell may be the best songwriter in America right now. His story telling is eloquent and his characters are gut real. Clearly, his deep Alabama roots connect him to the great American singer-songwriter tradition. He returns to Newport Saturday with his new release Something More than Free, out a week before the festival. Catch him on the Fort Stage at 2:35 PM.

Leon Bridges

Leon Bridges just oozes classic R&B. He’ll bring some Memphis Soul to the Quad Stage at 1:35 PM on Friday. He’s got it all – good looks, retro inspired threads, and a smooth voice reminiscent of Sam Cooke or Otis Redding. Hear more on his new album Coming Home and check him out at Newport! 

Hozier

Hozier made a big splash on the Harbor Stage at the 2014 Folk Fest just before he was “discovered” the mainstream media and the public. (We told you he was going places...) He’s become a superstar over the past year behind his award winning anthem “Take Me to Church.” Don’t be surprised if he is joined once again by the Berklee Gospel and Roots Choir, a festival highlight last year. He plays the Fort Stage at 4:45 PM Sunday.

Jon Batiste & Stay Human

New Orleans native Jon Batiste and will be playing both Newport Folk and Newport Jazz this year, only the second act ever to play both festivals. (The Preservation Hall Jazz Band did it in 2012.) Batiste has had quite a run since last year’s Jazz Festival, as he was recently announced as the new bandleader for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Don’t miss his set Sunday on the Fort Stage at 12:40 PM – you’ll see what all the buzz is about.

'65 Revisited

There is a lot of excitement this year for the final event on Sunday dubbed “65 Revisited.” The event will commemorate the night Bob Dylan “went electric” stunning the Folk crowd 50 years ago. Surprise guests are expected, but there is little to no chance that Dylan will appear. (Although the Festival claims that an invitation is extended every year.) Dylan has never been the sentimental type to say the least. We’ll tweet the surprise guest(s) as soon as we hear. It starts at 6PM Sunday.