Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I. — July 26 – 27, 2024

DAY 1

On Friday, a stream of music lovers poured into Newport, R.I.’s Fort Adams State Park, drawn by the magnetic allure of the Newport Folk Festival’s long-awaited return. Sixty-five years since its seismic debut, this bastion of American music reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to showcasing extraordinary talent and preserving the rich heritage of folk and independent music. Friday’s heralds, Hozier, Adrianne Lenker, Black Pumas, and many more, ignited the festival with fervor and a cache of surprises, setting the stage for a memorable weekend.

Unlike typical festival fare, Friday’s lineup boasted a roster of seasoned and esteemed performers. Early sets featured indie luminaries such as Sir Woman, Medicine Singers, Billie Marten, and Big Thief’s Buck Meek, gracing the festival for his third consecutive year. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, fresh off multiple 2024 International Bluegrass Music Awards nominations, added a bluegrass flourish to the day’s offerings. As the afternoon sun mellowed, Allison Russell delivered an intimate, soul-stirring performance, featuring a poignant collaboration with the Newport County Choral Group. Midway through, the 2024 Grammy winner reminisced about her first encounter with Mavis Staples at the 2019 Newport Folk Festival, facilitated by none other than Hozier. She shared this cherished memory with the audience, reinforcing the festival’s deep sense of community. Hozier then joined her on stage for a spellbinding rendition of “Requiem,” closing her set on a high note.

Following Russel’s performance, at the Quad Stage a mystery artist was revealed to be none other than Beck, a titan of alternative music. Beck’s homage to the festival’s storied legacy saw him delve into a repertoire rich with folk and blues covers. He opened with a fresh take on Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm,” then traversed through standards including Beck revisiting his own classics, delivering soul-baring versions of “The Golden Age,” “Lost Cause,” and “Loser.”

The day’s high energy crescendoed with Guster on the Main Stage, their performance punctuated by rare gems from their catalog and a special appearance by members of the UMass Marching Band. As dusk fell, Black Pumas electrified the Main Stage with their signature psychedelic soul. Audience euphoria peaked during hits like “You Know Better” and “Ice Cream (Pay Phone),” and soared higher when frontman Eric Burton ventured into the crowd. The set’s finale was a collaborative performance with Mavis Staples, delivering an anthemic rendition of “Colors” that resonated deeply.

A highlight of the night was Adrianne Lenker’s solo set, where, accompanied only by her two guitars, she presented new songs such as “Space and Time” and “Incomprehensible.” Joined by Buck Meek, she exclaimed, “I love singing with you,” before they performed songs from their duo projects, a-sides, creating a magical, intimate atmosphere full of emotion.

At dusk, Hozier took the spotlight as Friday’s headliner, his set exceeding the loftiest of expectations. Soulful renditions of “Jackie and Wilson,” “Francesca,” and “Cherry Wine” enthralled the audience, leading up to a poignant duet with Allison Russell on “Work Song.” As the day waned with dragonflies creating a surreal backdrop over Fort Adams, the festival’s unique magic came into full bloom. Hozier’s closing numbers were a testament to Newport Folk’s collaborative spirit. He assembled an all-star ensemble, including Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, The Lumineers’ Wesley Schultz, Nathaniel Rateliff, Madison Cunningham, and William Price for a rousing cover of The Band’s “The Weight.” The evening’s finale saw Joan Baez join Hozier and Staples for a stirring rendition of “We Shall Overcome,” a fitting close to a day steeped in musical history and camaraderie.

The Newport Folk Festival remains a beacon of artistic excellence and a guardian of musical traditions. As the echoes of Friday’s performances lingered in the hearts of all present, the festival’s enduring legacy was once again beautifully affirmed through the blue skies and music notes echoing off the water.

DAY 2

Saturday brought its own special flavor to the festival. Grateful Dead drag cover band Bertha made a powerful political statement, holding signs that read “Drag Is Not A Crime” in response to policies affecting their Nashville hometown and the broader fight for equality. Billy Bragg, drawing from his collaboration with Wilco on Mermaid Avenue, delivered a poignant rendition of “Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key.”

On a nearby stage, MUNA’s Katie Gavin delivered a surprise acoustic set, premiering songs from her forthcoming solo album, What a Relief. Gavin humorously explained that her solo venture was because MUNA said no to too many of her songs. Her performance evoked a stripped era of Newport’s history, reminiscent of the acoustic singer/songwriters who once defined the festival’s sound. Songs like “Inconsolable” and “As Good As It Gets” were met with awe and appreciation, showcasing Gavin’s talent and the timeless appeal of acoustic music.

The star of the day was the long-awaited set of Orville Peck with his full band, fitted out in matching denim head-to-toe. Peck’s return to the Newport Folk Festival was highly anticipated, especially after his previous cancellation and a year-long hiatus from music and touring. Midway through his set, he shared a heartfelt message: “If you missed me and you’re here this year, thank you for helping me save my life.” This poignant connection with the audience set the tone for what would be one of his best performances yet.

After playing a few songs, Peck laid down three hard rules for the night:

1) Sing along, even if you don’t know the lyrics.

2) Dance along.

3) If you gotta cry, then you must cry.

He performed his new duet album, captivating the crowd with “How Far Will We Take It?” featuring Noah Cyrus, and the fan favorite, “Cowboys are Secretly Fond of Each Other” featuring Willie Nelson. Peck recounted, “Willie came to me wanting to make a song about gay cowboys because I am THE gay cowboy!” This declaration was met with rapturous applause, sealing his triumphant return to the stage and best reflecting the beauty of collaboration that folk music represents so well.

The evening continued when The War on Drugs welcomed Craig Finn for a cover of John Hiatt’s “Walk On.” as the crowd swayed to every guitar riff. Dropkick Murphys energized the crowd, attempting to spark the first Newport Folk mosh pit, and dedicated “First Class Loser” to former President Trump. De La Soul and Killer Mike’s sets highlighted the festival’s commitment to diversity, showcasing the essence of artistry. By incorporating Hip Hop, a genre deeply rooted in community and jam sessions, the festival celebrated its collaborative spirit that drives creative expression.

To close out Saturday night, introduced by spoken poetry from Joan Baez, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings eschewed the usual spectacle of special guests and theatrics. Instead, they presented a career-spanning set that leaned heavily on never-before-heard material from their forthcoming album Woodland. Accompanied at times by bassist Paul Kowert, Welch and Rawlings delivered spellbinding versions of “Revelator,” feel-good sing-alongs on “Look at Miss Ohio,” and the tear-jerking debut of their new song “Hashtag,” dedicated to the late Guy Clark. By the time Rawlings played his signature medley of “I Hear Them All” and “This Land Is Your Land,” the duo received a career-long applause they deserved, gifting the crowd with an encore of “Everything is Free.”

The Newport Folk Festival remains a beacon of artistic excellence and a guardian of musical traditions. As the echoes of Friday’s performances lingered in the hearts of all present, the festival’s enduring legacy was once again beautifully affirmed through the blue skies and music notes echoing off the water.

Words: Mar Christiano

Photography: Adam Kissick, Emily Hagen, Nina Westervelt, Rett Rogers & Steve Benoit