newport folk festival

2011 Newport Folk Festival Lineup

Scott Bernstein March 30, 2011 3 Comments

Thanks to a gorgeous location, easy-to-maneuver grounds and relaxing vibe, the Newport Folk Festival is one festival that isn’t too dependent on the strength of its lineup. Yet when festival producers put together an impressive bill, the decision to attend becomes even easier. With HT faves Elvis Costello, Amos Lee, The Felice Brothers, Trampled by Turtles, Middle Brother and the PS22 Chorus among the artists scheduled to perform at the 52nd edition of Newport Folk on July 30 and 31, this lineup looks like a winner.


This year’s bill features a nice mix of artists with long, illustrious histories (Earl Scruggs, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Wanda Jackson & Mavis Staples) alongside established folk-rock acts (The Decemberists, Gillian Welch, M. Ward & Gogol Bordello) and up-and-coming rising stars (Carolina Chocolate Drops, Trampled By Turtles & What Cheer? Brigade). We’re especially excited to see that the youngsters of the PS 22 Chorus, fresh off appearances at The Oscars and Madison Square Garden, are making the trip up to Newport this summer.

Here’s a look at the complete initial artist announcement…

The Decemberists, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Gillian Welch, Amos Lee, Earl Scruggs, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Gogol Bordello, M. Ward, Wanda Jackson, Mavis Staples, Tegan & Sara, The Felice Brothers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Justin Townes Earle, Delta Spirit, Middle Brother, The Wailin’ Jennys, Freelance Whales, The Secret Sisters, Trampled by Turtles, The Civil Wars, The Head & The Heart, Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, The Cave Singers, What Cheer? Brigade, Mountain Man, David Wax Museum, Devil Makes Three, Song Circle with Dar Williams Ellis Paul John Gorka & Liz Queler, Typhoon, The Seeger Clogging All-Stars, The Ebony Hillbillies, BrownBird, River City Extension and PS 22

Tickets for the 52nd edition of the Newport Folk Festival go on sale this Thursday, March 31 at 10AM EDT via the event’s website. You can also purchase tickets in person at the Newport Visitor Information Center.

READ ON for a breakdown of Newport Folk Festival artists by day…

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Pullin’ ‘Tubes: Wax On, Wax Off

Jeffrey Greenblatt February 1, 2011 1 Comment

Over the years, the Newport Folk Festival has had its share of memorable moments and success stories that have helped propel little known bands into the national spotlight. Adding to

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BG: Newport Folk & Jazz Go Non-Profit

Jeffrey Greenblatt January 27, 2011 No Comments

Earlier this week, organizers of the famed Newport Jazz and Folk festivals announced that they would be returning to their roots to once again become non-profit events. The granddaddy of

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Recap: Newport Folk Festival

Jeffrey Greenblatt August 4, 2010 No Comments

With a seemingly rotating door on music festivals over the last handful of years it’s assuring to know that you can continually count on the Newport Folk Festival to be there year in and year out, offering up a high quality and diverse lineup in one of the most serene settings imaginable. Returning once again to the historic Fort Adams State Park, the fest delivered an amazing swath of artists from folk to funk and everything in between.


Much like how there are those musicians that are referred to as a “singer-songwriter’s singer-songwriter,” well now after having attended Newport Folk the label of a “music fan’s music fest” might be the best way to describe it. With three stages and 30-plus acts to choose from, it seemed relatively easy to plant yourself in front of one stage for the day – like many did – and take in all the action. For the ambitious music lovers though, the close proximity of the Fort, Harbor and Quad stages made it a breeze to catch an impressive amount of music over the two-day span.

Saturday kicked off with one of the fest’s biggest success stories – The Low Anthem – who just three years prior were picking up trash as on-site volunteers and now found themselves with a main stage slot. The Providence-based band showcased their gorgeous folk music, which features an odd menagerie of instruments – crotales, harmonium and clarinet – along with the obvious guitar, bass and drums. Taking in just a handful of songs, which was highlighted by a sublime take on Apothecary, and their interpretation of Rev. Gary Davis’ Sally Where’d You Get The Liquor From?, I had to pulled myself away from really the one lone conflict of the weekend to see a full set from A.A. Bondy.

READ ON for more of Jeff’s recap of Newport Folk…

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Bloggy Goodness: The Cars To Reunite?

Jeffrey Greenblatt July 29, 2010 No Comments

Call it a sign of the times, but rumors that The Cars will reunite began to surface earlier this week after the seminal pop-rock band posted this picture to their

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Preview: Newport Folk Festival

Jeffrey Greenblatt July 22, 2010 No Comments

Next weekend the granddaddy of all music fests – the Newport Folk Festival – will kick off with three days of roots, folk and Americana music that this year will open on Friday night with a night of “banjo and bluegrass” at the International Tennis Hall Of Fame, before moving to the festival grounds at the historic Fort Adams State Park for two days full of music.


Founded in 1959 by George Wein as an offshoot of his already highly successful and well-established Jazz Festival, and possibly most famous as the site that saw Bob Dylan shun the folk world when he went electric in 1965, the fest fell on hard times and was forced into taking a 14 year hiatus starting in 1971 before it was revived in 1985 – and has been thriving ever since with its diverse lineups.

Over the years the iconic fest has hosted a veritable who’s who of musicians from Joan Baez to Johnny Cash to Muddy Waters in its classic years, and more recently has seen the likes of Iron & Wine, Fleet Foxes, Neko Case and even Trey Anastasio log time at the tents and stages.

This year’s lineup is no slouch either. A quick glance reads like my iPod on shuffle on any given day featuring HT faves like Levon Helm, The Felice Brothers, Dawes, The Low Anthem, The Avett Brothers and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. With so many bands that I’m genuinely excited about seeing over the course of the weekend, I thought I’d focus on six, three from each day and each stage, that I’ve got my eye on…

Day One

A.A. Bondy (Quad Stage, 12:50 PM)

I can’t think of a better way to ease into Newport than with a an early afternoon set from folkie A.A. Bondy. Armed with an acoustic guitar, harmonica and endearingly crackling vocals, the singer-songwriter just seems to evoke the spirit of the festival both past and present with his slow paced meandering folk songs. Bondy, who has two excellent albums to his name, may not be the sexy pick with his set scheduled against Blitzen Trapper and local heroes The Low Anthem – but you should carve some time out to stop by even just for a song or two.


READ ON for more of my picks for this year’s Newport Folk Fest…

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BG: Newport Folk Schedule Revealed

Jeffrey Greenblatt July 1, 2010 No Comments

Later this month the granddaddy of all music festivals, George Wein’s Newport Folk Festival, will get under way at Fort Adams State Park in scenic Newport, RI. The festie, which

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Announcing: Newport Folk Fest Lineup

Jeffrey Greenblatt March 24, 2010 No Comments

Earlier this week, news leaked that Levon Helm would take his Ramble on the road to appear at the 51st installment of the legendary Newport Folk Festival. Well, today festival

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