Newport Folk Festival Rocks the Fort
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic and Rick Farrell, GoLocalProv Photographer
Newport Folk Festival Rocks the Fort
Newport Folk Festival Rocks the Fort
Deer Tick
The Rhode Island band returned to the festival this year appearing on the main “Fort Stage” for the first time. In full sailing regalia, they rocked the Fort with tunes from their recent album Negativity and earlier records. Lead singer John McCauley tore through a set which included “Dreams in the Ditch,” “Main Street,” and “Christ Jesus.” McCauley’s wife Vanessa Carlton joined in on the folksy duet “In Our Time.”
Benjamin Booker
Benjamin Booker is a New Orleans based guitarist and one of the most exciting additions to the festival this year. He played a badass set of punk-influenced Blues, telling fans “This ain’t folk show – no folk here.” Highlights included “Young, Lost, and Hungry,” “Wicked Waters” and “Though I Heard You Screaming.” Booker’s trio rivals Jack White in pure sonic intensity – he’s an artist to watch!
Pegi Young and the Survivors
Pegi Young borrowed a few of husband Neil’s longtime bandmates for a funky set of mostly original songs. With Muscle Shoals Alabama legends Kevin Holly on guitar and Spooner Oldham on keyboards, Young showed a bit of country-western swagger on songs like “Better Living Through Chemicals,” where she declared pharmaceutical companies, “the new drug pushers.” She shined bright on “Walking a Tightrope,” and “Lonely Women.” It was a fun set, from a talented artist!
Trampled by Turtles
Trampled by Turtles plays Bluegrass on steroids. Their “wall of strings” vibe helped their fans completely forget about lingering rain showers Sunday as they blasted through a set of modern bluegrass. “Come Back Home” was a highlight, and led to an impromptu dance party that broke out on the damp grass. Set closers “Swimming,” and “Wild Animals” also rocked. They’re another band to check out on tour if you get the chance.
Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy is best known as the founder and lead singer of alt-rock champions Wilco. He was joined Sunday by his son, Spencer, and guests Mavis Staples along with Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius. The band played a number of new songs from the upcoming album, Tweedy, including mellow folk songs and hard rockers like “World Away.” Old favorites “New Madrid,” “Jesus, etc.” and “California Stars” rounded out the set.
Hozier
Hozier, born Andrew Hozier-Byrne, is a talented young artist from Ireland who has getting a lot of well-deserved attention. His set featured songs from his upcoming album Hozier, as well as a guest appearance from the Berklee College Gospel and Roots Choir, who performed earlier in the day. His hit, “Take Me to Church,” which went viral on YouTube last year, was a big hit at Newport. He’s a truly fresh voice on the indie scene and a rising star to watch.
Dawes
The California band Dawes made a return visit to Newport this year as lead guitarist Taylor Goldsmith announced, “We’ve been looking forward to playing here since we got off the stage last year.” They took their fans through some old favorites and new tunes including “Most People,” “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” and “Little Bit of Everything.” Later, they returned to the stage to support indie-rocker Conor Oberst for his equally awesome set.
Valerie June
Valerie June is an up and coming artist from Nashville, who is already big in the UK. She recently released a critically acclaimed album, Pushin’ Against a Stone, produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Fans heard a Blues influenced set at the Harbor Stage which included classics like “Rollin’ and Tumblin,” “Tennessee Time,” and “Workin’ Women Blues.” True to her Blues roots, she closed with the Robert Johnson classic “If I Had Possession over Judgment Day.”
