Singer-Songwriter Amy Ray, one half of the legendary duo Indigo Girls, returned to the Newport Folk Festival this year, almost 30 years since her first appearance there. The Indigo Girls were headliners at the Festival throughout the 1990’s, an important period of growth and renewal for the historic festival. I sat down with Ray for […]
Newport Folk Festival
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CBS Morning News Covers Dolly Parton’s Surprise Appearance at Newport Folk
The CBS Morning News broadcast a feaure this morning on the surprise set from Dolly Parton at Saturday’s Newport Folk Festival. The piece also highlighted the role of Festival favorite and recent Grammy Award winner Brandi Carlile. The segment also featured Carlile’s new band The Highwomen, who performed at the Fesitval. Here’s the link to […]
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Newport Folk Festival: My Top 10 Picks
The Newport Folk Festival arrives Friday. Read on for my Top 10 picks for the 2019 Festival. NOTE: These are my personal choices – sets that I hope to catch. It’s not intended to be an all-encompassing “must see” list. Everyone’s picks are different – List your Top 10 in comments below! Jeff Tweedy – […]
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A conversation with Providence-based Granny Squibb, sponsor of the 2019 Newport Folk Festival
Want to support a growing local business while enjoying the sounds of the Newport Folk Festival? Well, the newest sponsor of the Festival has deep Rhode Island roots. Granny Squibb was founded in 2009 by RI native Robin Squibb, who used her grandmother’s original recipe to bottle organic iced tea. The company increased production, marketing […]
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2019 Newport Folk Festival Announcement: Chris Funk from The Decemberists to host, curate ‘For Pete’s Sake’ programming
Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival lineup announcements are well underway and we’re keeping track of the latest right here. While all 2019 Newport Folk Festival is sold-out, Newport Folk is once again partnering with Lyte to provide their Folk a hassle-free, safe way to exchange tickets. You can now make your RESERVATION to purchase tickets […]
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Ticket for 2019 Newport Folk Festival go on sale Thursday, here’s what you need to know
Newport, RI – Tickets for the 2019 Newport Folk Festival go on sale on Thursday, November 29th and are expected to sell out (again) within minutes. The Newport Folk Festival emailed the following helpful information out to help the purchase process run smoothly tomorrow. Here are some tips to ensure your purchase process runs smoothly. We […]
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Tickets for 2019 Newport Folk Festival will go on sale on November 29th
Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival announced on their Facebook Page today that tickets for their 2018 festival will go on sale at 10 am on Thursday, November 29th. The Newport Folk Festival is scheduled for July 26th, 27th, and 28th and is capped at just 10,000 fans/tickets per day. Historically, the majority of tickets will sell out within minutes. […]
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2018 Newport Folk Festival: The Musicians Speak
(Above: Nicole Atkins, Photo: Ken Abrams) The 2018 Newport Folk Festival is in the books. There were numerous highlights – new discoveries along with some revered favorites. While there, I spoke with a several artists backstage to get their thoughts on playing the iconic festival. All were clearly soaked in the moment; they understood the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles
Folk Fest Interview: Warren Haynes of Gov’t Mule Makes Surprise Appearance
(Above: Warren Haynes and Nels Cline, Photo: Ken Abrams) Warren Haynes is known to many as the former guitarist for The Allman Brothers Band and founder of the popular jam band Gov’t Mule. Haynes made a surprise appearance Sunday at the Newport Folk Festival joining Wilco guitarist Nels Cline in a special set dedicated to […]
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Scenes from Newport Folk – Saturday and Sunday
The 2018 Newport Folk Festival provided numerous special moments for fans and artists. The range and quality of performers exceeded expectations – there was everything from Gospel to Rock, Jazz to R&B. And yes, some traditional folk thrown in as well. WhatsUp Music Writer Ken Abrams was there and shares a few photos of some […]
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Six Picks: 2018 Newport Folk Edition
Well, it’s finally here! The Newport Folk Festival is the highlight of the summer for many music fans and WhatsUpNewp has more Festival coverage than anyone else! This week’s special edition “Six Picks” looks at six fascinating acts scheduled at the festival. Of course, this is not intended to be a comprehensive list – most […]
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The Fans Speak: What’s So Special About Newport Folk?
The Newport Folk Festival is a lot of different things to a lot of different fans. We asked folks in an online forum for their thoughts on what makes Newport special. Here’s what we heard… “Two words—Folk Family!!!” Linda, MA “If I’m being totally honest, it’s the cheese fries. But if you want an answer […]
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WhatsUp Interviews: Charlie Parr and Darlingside – “First Timers” Head to Folk Festival
What does it mean to play the Newport Folk Festival? How does a musician approach such a career defining moment? This festival season, WhatsUpNewp is covering “first time” Folk and Jazz Festival performers. We asked a couple of “first-timers” how they felt about playing the legendary festival, and to no one’s surprise, shock and awe […]
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WhatsUp Interview: Pat Sansone of The Autumn Defense – Playing POP Providence and Newport Folk
The Autumn Defense, a side project of the acclaimed alt-rock band Wilco, arrive in Providence Friday as part of a brief New England tour that includes an appearance at this year’s Newport Folk Festival. Formed in 1999, the band is known for a sophisticated indie-pop sound with harmonies heavily influenced by 70’s AM radio and […]
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2018 Newport Folk Festival lineup and announcements (Updated)
Newport, RI – The Newport Folk Festival has begun its annual tradition of rolling lineup announcements ahead of the 2018 Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams. The first announcement came on Newport Folk Festival’s Facebook Page on Wednesday, January 31st, when they announced Courtney Barnett would return to Fort Adams. The Newport Folk Festival will […]
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Album Review: Newport Folk Festival’s Triumphant “Speak Out”
Speak Out was Released on Record Store Day The Newport Folk Festival is no stranger to political activism. Shaped by the likes of Seeger, Baez, and Dylan, the Festival has been a hotbed of progressive politics since its inception in 1959. Newport Folk Presents: Speak Out is a 2018 Record Store Day release recorded live […]
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Newport Folk Festival kicks off 2018 lineup announcements, Courtney Barnett to perform
Newport Folk Festival kicked off their annual rolling lineup announcements today with the news that Courtney Barnett would return to Fort Adams on Saturday, July 28th. Courtney Barnett is an Australian singer, songwriter, and musician. Known for her witty, rambling lyrics and deadpan singing style, Barnett attracted attention with the release of her debut EP, […]
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Cyber Monday “Six Picks” – Upcoming Concerts – Ticket Discounts Available
Tired of the malls? Amazon too big? Want to find a unique holiday gift this year? Look no further. We’ve got a bonus “Six Picks” this cyber Monday. The winter concert season provides a great gift-giving opportunity and there are a number of special shows coming soon. Michael Andrew of the Gershwin Big Band The […]
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Newport Folk First Timers – Young Bands Make the Scene
In addition to headliners like John Prine, Fleet Foxes and Wilco, Newport Folk 2017 was a moment for new artists to shine. WhatsUpNewp sat down with three bands who were making waves at Newport – The Seratones, L.A. Salami, and Mt. Joy. Their enthusiasm was palpable. Seratones A.J. Hayes of the Seratones (Photo: Ken Abrams) […]
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Folk Fest Interview: Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers
The Drive-By Truckers pull into the Newport Folk Festival Saturday with some great music and a pointed message. The band, originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, arrives in Newport with songs that are raw, political, and often about folks living on the margins. Political and Personal The Drive-By Truckers formed in the mid-90’s as a bar […]
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Six Picks – The Newport Folk Edition
The Newport Folk Festival arrives tomorrow and we’ve got “Six Picks,” our list of bands you just can’t miss at the Festival. Of course, it’s impossible to narrow it down to just six, so we’ll fudge a little on the numbers. Whatever your personal favorites, remember that part of the fun of attending a festival […]
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Folk Festival Sponsors – Spindrift and Late July Head to Newport
It’s late July, and although the temperature outside feels like early November, things are heating up at Late July. That’s because the Boston based snack company will be supplying 37,000 bags of free chips to Newport Folk Festival concertgoers this weekend. WhatsUpNewp spoke with Late July CEO Nicole Dawes earlier this week, as well as […]
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Interview: Grammy Winning Artist Rhiannon Giddens Coming to Newport Folk and Jazz Festival
Next weekend, Rhiannon Giddens joins a select group of musicians who have played both the Newport Folk and Newport Jazz Festival in the same year. She follows Norah Jones who accomplished the feat last year, and bandleader Jon Batiste who played both events in 2015. Rhiannon Giddens Plays Newport Folk Sunday (Photo: John Peets) Needless […]
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Folk Festival Set to Begin Next Week – Behind the Scenes at Fort Adams
With just a week to go until 10,000 eager folks show up at the gate, Fort Adams State Park is getting all dressed up for festival season. The Newport Folk Festival arrives Friday July 28th, and WhatsUpNewp got a behind the scenes look at some of the preparations. We found stages partially built, a handful […]
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2017 Newport Folk Festival Lineup (Updates)
Newport, RI – The Newport Folk Festival has begun its annual tradition of announces who will perform at the 2017 Festival via their unique rolling lineup announcements. The first announcement came on Folk Festival’s Facebook Page on Wednesday morning, when they announced Fleet Foxes would return to Fort Adams on Friday, July 28th. This story will be […]