The first day of “Part 2” of “Folk On,” Newport Folk’s iteration of the 2021 Festival, was a resounding success. If you haven’t heard, the Festival reduced its capacity to 50% due to the pandemic. So, a pair of three-day mini-fests replaced the usual three-day weekend Festival.

Monday featured a good mix of music, from solo singer-songwriters (think Ben Gibbard) to raucous rock and rollers (think Middle Brother). Other highlights included Festival first-timers Sunny War and Andrea von Kampen as well as a memorable set from Brothers of a Feather, the (Black Crowes) Chris and Rich Robinson duo.

Photographers Ken Abrams and Gary Alpert were there and share some photos of the artists who played below.

Photos by Ken Abrams

  • Erin Rae
  • Sunny War
  • Courtney Marie Andrews
  • Aoife O’Donovan
  • Fruit Bats
  • Fruit Bats
  • Hiss Golden Messenger
  • Hiss Golden Messenger
  • Middle Brother
  • Middle Brother
  • Middle Brother
  • Ben Gibbard
  • Middle Brother

Photos by Gary Alpert

  • Christopher Paul Stelling
  • Billy Strings
  • Billy Strings
  • Brothers of a Feather
  • Brothers of a Feather
  • Brothers of a Feather
  • Nathaniel Rattliff
  • Nathaniel Rattliff
  • Nathaniel Rattliff
  • Nathaniel Rattliff
  • Christopher Paul Stelling

Lifestyle Editor Ken Abrams writes about music, the arts and more for What'sUpNewp. He is also an Editor and Writer for Hey Rhody Media. Ken DJ's "The Kingston Coffeehouse," a roots/folk/rock radio show every Tuesday, 6-9 PM on WRIU 90.3 FM. He is a former educator in the Scituate, RI school system where he taught Social Studies for over 30 years. He is on the board of the Rhode Island Folk Festival and Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music), a non-profit that brings diverse musical acts to...

Gary Alpert is a contributor and photographer for What's Up Newp. Having been diagnosed with a profound hearing loss at the age of 2, Gary has have always witnessed the world around him with a heightened sense of sight. While hearing aids offer him a world with sound, he continues to experience the world with a visual edge. With a camera in hand, he hopes to show you what he sees.