Local Bands to Play Newport Folk This Weekend
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
Local Bands to Play Newport Folk This Weekend
The Newport Folk Festival begins Friday, and once again this year, several Rhode Island musicians will be appearing. In fact, Sunday could probably be re-named “Rhode Island Day” at the Festival. Folk singer Ian Fitzgerald will kick things off at 11AM backed by Providence rockers Smith and Weeden. Later, on the Fort Stage, it’s the triumphant return of Middle Brother, a band that includes Deer Tick’s John McCauley, a Rhode Island native and festival regular who now resides in Nashville.
Ian Fitzgerald
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGoLocal interviewed singer-songwriter Fitzgerald last week as he was busy preparing for the Festival. Although this is the first time he’s playing an official stage slot, Fitzgerald is not exactly a Newport rookie. He played “All Newport’s Eve” in 2014 and the popular “Wildwood Revival” stage last year.
“I think the Wildwood showcase was a highlight of last year's festival; in fact, three other acts from that stage were invited back to play full sets at Newport this year. Being invited to play a full set on the Harbor Stage is an honor. It's also an incredible opportunity, and I hope that I'm able to bring my music to a lot of new people,” acknowledged Fitzgerald.
With the popularity of music festivals in recent years, Fitzgerald appreciates the unique nature of Newport. He explained that “Newport seems to be the only festival that has such a storied history yet continues to look for new ways to define itself and the music it's presenting. While people can certainly go just to enjoy the music and a great weekend, they also have an opportunity to engage in a conversation about the concept of folk music that's been happening for over 50 years now.”
Fitzgerald is a talented songwriter who’s been recognized nationally and has toured extensively opening for artists including Iris Dement and Wily Mason. For a sample of his sound, check out “Melinda Down the Line” here. He promises a new album soon – "entitled You Won't Even Know I'm Gone, that I hope to share with folks later this year … and we might play some songs from that at Newport.”
Fitzgerald is part of growing music scene in the “biggest little state in the union,” one that continues to impress fans and critics nationally. “At the forefront of that, I think, are Tom Weyman and the members of The Low Anthem, a great band, who have contributed so much by resurrecting the Columbus Theatre,” noted Fitzgerald.
John McCauley
Deer Tick’s John McCauley will undoubtedly be the busiest artist at Newport this weekend. He’s playing an official set on Sunday with his “side” project Middle Brother. It’s a reunion gig of sorts for the band which includes Dawes front man Taylor Goldsmith along with Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit. You can expect special guests and quite likely an eyebrow raising outfit from McCauley, who along with Goldsmith, serves on the Festival’s Board of Advisors.
McCauley’s main act, Deer Tick will also be busy each night at the Newport Blues Café, the “A” list event of “Folk weekend.” These shows which sold out long ago, usually include artists who played the Festival earlier in the day.
Providence All Star Review
Newport makes room for Providence on Saturday as the “Providence All-Star Review” hits the Museum Stage. Although somewhat shrouded in mystery, we’ve learned members of Deer Tick will be hosting other Providence based artists. Stay tuned and follow GoLocalProv all weekend long as Music Critic Ken Abrams and Photographer Rick Farrell bring you all the highlights.
Ken Abrams reviews roots, rock, folk and jazz for GoLocal. E-mail him here.
10 "Don't Miss" Acts at 2016 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.
