The Newport Folk Festival is back! Founded 65 years ago, the annual event begins on Friday, July 26, at Fort Adams State Park and runs through Sunday, July 28. With over 50 performances on the schedule, every fan has their favorite. Below are “Six Picks” for 2024 with an important reminder – you can’t go wrong at this festival, you will find unique, groundbreaking, original music on every stage all weekend long.
- Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, the Grammy Award-winning Americana duo who helped shape the direction of the festival (and the larger Americana movement for that matter) in the early 2000s, return to the Fort having just announced the release of their new album, Woodland, due out in August. The band brings an authentic roots feel to every song they perform or record. Expect a guest or two to join the duo as they close out the Fort Stage on Saturday, July 27 at 6:30.
- Known for their aggressive Celtic-rock sound, Boston’s Dropkick Murphys might initially seem like an odd fit for a folk festival. But no! As we’ve noted previously, the definition of folk music is continually evolving (with this festival at the forefront), and the band, which makes no secret of its progressive political leanings, is no stranger to roots music. The Murphy’s last two releases, This Machine Still Kills Fascists (2022) and Okemah Rising (2023) featured previously unpublished lyrics of Woody Guthrie. Catch them Sunday, July 28 at 5:45PM on the Quad Stage.
- Four-time Grammy Award-winning music legend, actor, and social activist Taj Mahal first played the festival in 1968. Over a 60 year career, Mahal has played with music greats including Van Morrison, Ry Cooder, and The Rolling Stones, who he has recorded with since the late 1960s. Catch some authentic blues when he plays the Harbor Stage on Sunday at 4PM.
- Hermanos Gutiérrez, the duo of Alejandro and Estevan Gutiérrez, bring their mesmerizing instrumental sounds to Newport again this year. The band is influenced by Latin styles, including salsa and milonga, along with surf rock sounds of the 1960s. Expect a compelling set on the Fort Stage on Saturday, July 27, at 1:15PM.
- Adrianne Lenker is one of indie rock’s leading voices, as a solo artist and co-founder of Big Thief, a band that has previously graced the Newport stage. She’ll have songs from her latest album, Bright Future, released in March, and look for a possible visit from Buck Meek, her former husband and co-founder of Big Thief. She plays the Quad Stage Friday July 26 at 5:45.
- No one really knows what to expect from Conan O’Brien and Real Musicians, a unique set that includes the former late-night host on guitar with Jimmy Vivino and members of festival regulars Dawes supporting. O’Brien has promised “very special guests…” as to who they will be… it’s the biggest secret in Newport this week. No doubt, it will be a fun set, beginning at 6:30 on the Fort Stage on Sunday, July 28.
BONUS PICKS
7. The Side stages. Some of the most interesting music this weekend will be heard at the two “side” stages, the Bicycle Stage and the Foundation Stage. You’ll hear rising stars including NPR Tiny Desk winner Alisa Amador, singer-songwriter Britti, Jake Kohn, Bebe Stockwell and others who will appear in between sets on the larger stages. Also, keep an eye out for Folk Fest busker extraordinaire Dan Blakeslee, who will be popping up around the fort.
8. Every year, a Surprise Guest (or two) appears at Newport, typically (but not always) on the final evening of the festival. For better or worse, part of the Newport experience is predicting who the guest(s) will be, as rumors (usually wrong) swirl about the fort all weekend. This year, you can expect to see someone unexpected during Sunday’s “Conan O’Brien & Real Musicians,” a highly anticipated set led by legendary late-night host accompanied by Dawes and Jimmy Vivino. Your guess is as good as mine!
9. New to You. As any veteran festival-goer will tell you, every year you’ll discover a musician or two (or a dozen) who are “new to you.” With well over 50 acts over three days, and a lot of newcomers scheduled to perform, you’ll have no trouble getting turned on to a new artist. Be sure to walk around and explore the festival!
10. Judy, Joni, and … Which 2024 artist sang at the first Newport Folk Festival in 1959? Joan Baez, of course. No question, the legendary singer, songwriter, author, and activist holds the record for the longest chronological stretch as a performer playing in a music festival. This week, she’ll be reading excerpts from her new book of poems When You See My Mother, Ask Her To Dance on the Bike Stage Saturday at 3:45, but we expect she’ll be a guest on another stage at some point during the weekend. Fingers-crossed!
Want to hear some tunes from these artists? Check out my radio show, The Kingston Coffeehouse, on WRIU for a special Newport Folk edition this Tuesday, July 22, 6-9PM. Stream at WRIU.org.
