Newport Folk Fest was off to a rip-roaring start today at Fort Adams, with three stages packed back to back with lively sets from newcomers and old favorites, and even a tribute to Pete Seeger in the museum space. As per usual, the Harbor Stage was reserved for some of the quieter, more acoustic acts, while the Quad Stage (set further back) featured the louder, more electric artists. And the Fort Stage was bustling all day with the likes of The Devil Makes Three (a truly fantastic band to keep an eye on) and Band of Horses, to name a few. The people came in droves, from the ferry, from across the bridge, and even from South Korea (thanks for the factoid, Newport Folk team!). Below are a few highlights from today with accompanying superlatives.
Reignwolf, Quad Stage, “Best Soulful Howl”
Jordan Cook, also known as Reignwolf is a one-man musical tour de force that truly kept the audience on their feet, hanging on his every head bang. It’s amazing that Newport Folk embraces artists like this, rather than sticking to more reserved, traditional fare, and we all benefitted from this booking. Starting out on his own and then being joined by another guitarist and a percussionist, Reignwolf has serious stage presence, coming out into the crowd (something he says he would “only do at Newport Folk”), and shredding like a madman. He owned that stage the way a 10-piece band would, singing his electric blues rock through tunes of desperate passion like “Electric Love” and “Are You Satisfied”. Reignwolf’s set was like taking a quick shot of whiskey in the midst of drinking white wine all day, and it’s safe to say the audience had no idea what they were in for.
Jenny Lewis, Fort Stage, “Best Queen Bee”
Jenny Lewis is beloved in all circles: folk, indie rock and pop, and with the release of her first new record in five years (and nearly on the eve of 10 years since Rilo Kiley’s debut), it was nice to hear that angelic, smooth voice again. Dressed all in white with a killer purple kimono and her signature rainbow guitars, Lewis looked like a 70s boho LA goddess. She played songs old and new, including audience favorites “Next Messiah” and “Silver Lining”, and “Love You Forever” and “She’s Not Me”. Judging by the pumped up, pop heavy sound of the new stuff, her upcoming album The Voyager is definitely going to make heads turn. Produced by Ryan Adams (also a performer on the stage later in the evening), Lewis seemed thrilled to be sharing it with fresh ears, and the audience was worshipping her. She strutted around the stage in her bellbottoms, pelvic thrusting and using the sea breeze to her glamorous advantage during “The Moneymaker”, and hit an especially high point when she had her band gather at the mic behind her to sing backup chorus on her classic, folk fest-appropriate tune “Acid Tongue”.
Sun Kil Moon, Harbor Stage, “Best On-Stage Sass”
Unexpectedly funny and dry, Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon seemed to be having a blast giving his obsessive fans a whole lot of shit. For his hour-long set, the crowd was mostly seated, barely uttering a word. Until he had a guitar tuning lull, during which they took the opportunity to shout out loads of requests. His reply? “You know why I never shout things out load when I see a show? Because I’m not a fuckin’ dork.” His people only loved him more, and sat devotedly through “Caroline” and “I Can’t Live Without My Mother’s Love”. Listening to Sun Kil Moon is like witnessing someone reading aloud their darkest journal entries set to music, almos to the point of feeling uncomfortable. But ultimately, that’s why his fans stick with him, for those sometimes banal life observations that ring so true and poignantly, it’s shocking. Playing live, he embraces the imperfections in his voice and was joined by powerhouse percussionist and backup singer Eric Pollard.
Ryan Adams, Fort Stage, “Best Final Song”
If only Ryan Adams were a little happier to be headlining Newport Folk this year. The popular singer songwriter spent too much time heckling the audience and his band mates (though to our comic satisfaction), and not enough time playing his music. There was an awful lot of heady guitar jamming, but for such a highly anticipated act (remember when he retired?), his set had fewer high points than it should have. “Sweet Carolina” and the Danzig cover “Mother” were audience favorites, and he played a few of his tunes with other band The Cardinals, but the best moments of his set were the stunning “My Wrecking Ball” (a new one), and the classic “Come Pick Me Up” (the finale we were all waiting for with bated breath).
Check out our PHOTO GALLERY from DAY 1!
Photos by Gerry Hardy and Nancy Lasher
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