Newport Folk Festival Preview

Newport Folk Festival Preview

George Wein’s Newport Folk Festival has been delighting audiences from far and wide since 1959, but this year, the show is truly too good to miss. With a diverse and endlessly talented lineup of artists, both well known and upcoming, you won’t want to skip one set – so pack the car and head to Fort Adams for two days of unparalleled folk music and atmosphere. Here are some highlights. 

Saturday July 30

On Saturday, 19 artists light up the Fort Adams stage. Two obvious favorites are Portland-based band The Decemberists and Canadian indie rock duo Tegan and Sara (right), who will be performing an acoustic set.

In addition, don’t miss Gogol Bordello, New York’s legendary Gypsy-punk band. And if you’re looking for something new, check out the Freelance Whales, a group of five who’ve performed their intricate melodies primarily on city streets and subway platforms, but are now taking the stage by storm. 

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Sunday July 31

Come back on Sunday for two legendary headliners - Elvis Costello, performing a solo set, and EmmyLou Harris. Also noteworthy is M. Ward (left), known for his swoon-inducing voice and as half of She & Him, his hugely popular collaboration with actress Zooey Deschanel.

Another star on the rise is the duo The Civil Wars – their first full-length album, Barton Hollow, made a splash on iTunes by snagging the top-selling album spot after its release. Further, their album’s title track was featured in full on Grey’s Anatomy.

Lastly, make sure to check out Middle Brother, an impromptu side project of three front men, including John McCauley of Rhode Island’s native Deer Tick. Lyrically introspective and melodically soulful, this side project could easily stand on its own.  

Attending the Festival and excited, or just want to explore? Check out more fun content on the Folk Festival’s Tumblr and Twitter. Passes for Saturday are currently sold out, but Sunday passes are still available, so get them while you still can!