Providence Folk Festival Coming Sunday
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
Providence Folk Festival Coming Sunday
We spoke with musician and Festival producer John Fuzek about plans for Sunday’s event. “This is the second year for the festival. It is a spin-off of the Downtown Sundown Series,” a regular summer series that Fuzek also produces.
Main Acts
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThere’s a full day of folk music on two stages planned. “I try to make it a mix of locals and a couple of headliners. It took me a while to sort out the headliners for this year. I am excited to have Cliff Eberhardt and The Nields as headliners,” shared Fuzek. “I am equally excited about the other acts as well,” he noted.
The Nields, Katryna and Nerissa, are a sister act who have been making music together since 1991. They are veterans of the folk circuit and have played countless festival and solo dates including Lilith Fair. Eberhardt is also well known in the folk community and has recorded a number of albums including a 2011 acoustic tribute to The Doors, All Wood and No Doors.
Top Local Acts
The majority of performers are Rhode Island or Massachusetts based. Fusak emphasizes "I try to get stuff that you may not have seen or if you have it has a twist to it that you can only see at the fest. An example of this is Dan Lilley and the Keepers with Amy Bedard. Amy will be joining them for this one performance.”
Indeed, some of the best regional artists, covering a variety of folk sub-genres, will be appearing. Additional Main Stage acts include Cardboard Ox, Kala Farnham and Co., Sync or Swim, Tiffany Rozenas, and Rank Strangers. Steve Allain and Tracie Potochnik will serve as hosts at the Main Stage.
The Rhode Island Songwriters Association Stage, with MC Jacob Haller, will be hosting a singer-songwriter spectacular with Marc Douglas Berardo, Michael Couto, Mike & Aleksi Glick, Lara Herscovitch, Jan Luby, Alissa Musto, Grace Rennick, and Carolyn Waters.
Free isn’t Free
Producing a two stage music festival is no easy task, and although there’s no admission charge for the show, Fuzek is raising money here through Indiegogo. "You can get some cool perks for doing so, noted Fuzek."
“Finding and raising enough is always hard. The Park provides some of the funding but the rest we have to raise. It is an uphill battle. We have to go without some things just to get the event produced.”
In addition, Fuzek shared that “fans will also be able to make donations at the festival. We have a donation box, well it is actually an old guitar that has been bedazzled to look cool. It will be at the festival merch table and every little bit will help!”
The Festival will be held on Sunday from 12-6 at the Roger Williams National Memorial. Bring the kids, a blanket or chairs, and plan to picnic or visit a food truck. Rain Date in Sunday September 20th.
Ken Abrams reviews roots, rock, folk and more for GoLocalProv. E-Mail him here.
Newport Folk Festival 2015: Sunday Highlights
Berklee Gospel Choir
Sunday began with a stirring set from the Berklee College Gospel and Roots Choir led by Nedelka Prescod (pictured). The Choir performed several traditional Gospel standards including “Brighter Day” and “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.” They are a regular act at Newport and always get Sunday off to a great start. (photo: Ken Abrams)
'65 Revisited
’65 Revisited was organized to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dylan “going electric” at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. The band was anchored by frequent festival act Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (pictured). They opened with a stunning version of “Mr. Tambourine Man” followed by “All I Really Wanna Do” with Willie Watson on guitar and lead vocals. (photo: Ken Abrams)
Dawes and Deer Tick
Festival favorites Dawes joined Welch and Rawlings bringing a little electricity and kicking the tempo up a notch or two. They rocked and rolled their way through “Maggie’s Farm,” the song Dylan opened with in ’65. More guests joined the fun including Deer Tick’s John McCauley (pictured) and Ian O’Neil. McCauley’s raucous vocals and harmonica on “Outlaw Blues” was a set highlight. (photo: Ken Abrams)
Al Kooper
Al Kooper, who played organ on the classic tune “Like a Rolling Stone,” provided the link to rock and roll history. He played with Dylan in the Butterfield Blues Band on the fateful night 50 years ago. Last night, he sat in with Dawes, leading the band through a nice version of “Like a Rolling Stone.” The Festival closed with a massive sing-a-long of “Rainy Day Woman #12 and #35,” better known as “Everybody Must Get Stoned.” (photo: Ken Abrams)
Jon Batiste & Stay Human
Jon Batiste and his band Stay Human will celebrate a festival first next weekend when they become the first band to play at both Newport Folk and Newport Jazz in the same year. They made a big splash with the Folk crowd with an eclectic set including covers of Blackbird and St. James Infirmary. Look for them on The Late Show with Steven Colbert this Fall. (photo: Ken Abrams)
Hozier
Hozier has gone from Indie upstart to international superstar in less than year. He returned to the festival a crowd favorite, playing the main Fort Stage, an upgrade from the Harbor Stage where he sang last year. In addition to his hit “Take Me to Church,” he shined on “From Eden” and “Work Song.” (photo: Rick Farrell)
Music Makers
A troupe of Roots and Blues artists came to the festival as part of the Music Maker Relief Foundation. The organization provides performance opportunities for traditional Southern musicians, in an effort to keep authentic folk voices alive. We caught some great sets from Gospel singers the Coco Mamas, Little Joe from Chicago (pictured), and acclaimed keyboardist Ironing Board Sam. (photo: Ken Abrams)
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit is a popular sister led band from Sweden. The Soderberg sisters took over the fort mid afternoon for some bittersweet songs including “The Lion’s Roar,” “The Waitress Song” and “Emmylou.” (photo: Rick Farrell)
Dancin' in the Fort
Roots-Rock bands like the Felice Brothers and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats brought high energy sets to Newport. Fans literally danced in the aisles, from their seats and by the water. (photo: Ken Abrams)
Lord Huron
Lord Huron brought a great set of modern folk to the Festival (photo: Rick Farrell)
Taylor Goldsmith
Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes kicked off the electric set in honor of '65 Revisited. (photo: Rick Farrell)
All Star Band
An all star band jammed on '65 Revisited. (photo: Rick Farrell)
