10 "Don't Miss" Acts at Newport Folk

Norah Jones

Singer-Songwriter Norah Jones joins a very exclusive club this year as she plays both the Folk and the Jazz Festival. Jones returns to Newport after having played with Puss n’ Boots in 2014. She’s currently putting the finishing touches on her 6th studio album – meanwhile, check out what she brings to the Fort Stage on Saturday at 4:40.

Elvis Costello

Sorry millennials, the coolest artist at NFF this year is the chameleon Elvis Costello. He started off steeped in punk, moved to the rock mainstream, played classical music and has toyed in Nashville more recently. He’s simply one of the greatest rock and roll artists of all time. And you can see him play the Fort Stage at 4:40 on Sunday.

Patti Smith

Oops, we meant Patti Smith was the coolest artist at the Festival, she beats Costello by a hair, and we don’t think he’d mind. Smith’s friendship with Robert Maplethorpe and her role in the early days of the NYC punk scene is well documented. They’ll certainly be some surprises when she appears Saturday night at 6:15 on the Fort stage. 

Nathaniel Rateliff

“Son of a bitch,” look who’s returning to NFF after a triumphant show last year. Nathanial Rateliff and his band the Night Sweats have been barnstorming around the country over the last year on the heels of their successful eponymous album. The band is sure to shake things up Saturday on the Fort Stage at 1:45. (Photo: Malia James)

Violent Femmes

 What the hell is an 80’s alt/punk band doing at Newport Folk you may ask? Well, as we‘ve said before, this isn’t your grandfather’s folk festival. The band has played acoustic sets before, so their appearance isn’t that much of a surprise. Remember to apply sunscreen and so you don’t get a “Blister in the Sun.” They play at Friday at 3:10 on the Fort Stage. 

Graham Nash

Rock and Roll royalty will be in the house on Saturday, as it marks the first time Graham Nash will play the festival solo. Your likely to hear some classic CSN and solo tunes, timeless social commentary, and songs from his new album This Path Tonight. Nash plays Saturday at 4:20 on the Quad Stage. Don’t miss it!

Margo Price

Margo Price is the “artist of the moment” on the country/Americana scene. She’s been on TV everywhere recently as she continues to break out nationally. She comes highly recommended - none other than festival veteran Jack White found her so talented he recorded her on his label Third Man Records. Don’t miss Price and her band Saturday on the Quad Stage at 1:40.

Case/Lang/Viers

The amazing trio of Case/Lang/Viers came together in 2016 to put out an album of original songs recorded over the past 2½ years. Neko Case joined K.D. Lang and Laura Viers for this folk supergroup and arrive at Newport with some sweet harmonies for a much anticipated set. They play the Quad Stage Friday at 4:10. 

Ruby Amanfu

Ruby Amanfu is another “friend of Jack” and a veteran of his all-female band, The Peacocks. She also known as half of the Grammy award nominated duo Sam & Ruby. The Ghanaian born singer-songwriter will bring her own band to the Harbor Stage at Noon on Saturday.

Freakwater

Along with bands like Uncle Tupelo, Louisvile, Kentucky based Freakwater were early champions of the alt-country movement. Janet Bean and Catherin Irwin have been singing sweet harmonies for over 25 years. They’re Festival rookies and are scheduled to play Friday at Noon on the Harbor Stage.

The Locals

Ian Fitzgerald has a great voice and is a pure songwriter – in many ways he’s a traditional folk artist. The Providence resident will be backed by another RI band, Smith and Weeden, who promise to blow your socks off! They open the festivities Sunday at 11AM on the Harbor Stage. Also on Sunday, don’t miss a rare set from Middle Brother, a band that includes a 1/3rd RI connection in the person of chief Deer Tick John McCauley. He’ll be leading his buds Taylor Goldsmith from Dawes and Matt Vasquez from Delta Spirit in what we expect will be an epic set.

(Pictured: Ian Fitzgerald)

The Rest

Of course you can’t miss the Alabama Shakes, presently one of the hottest bands on the planet. They close the festival from the Fort Stage Sunday. And apologies to singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, who will be appearing with Nicki Bluhn and The Infamous Stringdusters on Saturday. He’s been here before, and we love him more than anything, but wouldn’t want to kill his “indie cred” by selecting him here.