Newport Folk Festival 2014 Preview

Celebrating its fifty-fifth anniversary, Newport Folk Festival brings another stellar line-up, Friday-to-Sunday, July 25th to 27th....
Newport Folk

Newport Folk Festival 2014 Preview

While most of the biggest music festivals in America only date back a decade or so, Rhode Island’s Newport Folk Festival began all the way in 1959 (as the sister to Newport Jazz Festival) – and included the seminal moment when Bob Dylan went electric. The festival was revived in 1985, updated for the times by including folk-influenced indie music acts and more. Celebrating its fifty-fifth anniversary, Newport Folk brings another stellar line-up, Friday-to-Sunday, July 25th to 27th:

 

FRIDAY, JULY 25th

Fort Stage

Ryan Adams, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM

The alt-country/rock artist broke out in the first years of this century/millennium when he went alone, finding major success in the country/rock mainstream, but Adams eventually embraced his backing band, The Cardinals, and kept on writing. After 2008’s Cardinology and tour, Adams announced he was leaving The Cardinals again, as well as going on a hiatus due to hearing loss and disillusionment with today’s music industry, but returned in 2011 with Ashes & Fire and this year’s acclaimed self-titled record.
Ryan Adams
Band of Horses, 4:45 PM – 5:50 PM

Before the current, unceasing wave of alt-country, there was Seattle’s Band of Horses (QRO live review), who broke through with debut Everything All the Time and “Funeral” in 2006. While guitarist/co-founder Matt Brooke left after that for Grand Archives (QRO live review), singer/guitarist Ben Bridwell kept on the trail, with the following year’s Cease to Begin (QRO review). Band of Horses (QRO photos at a festival) dropped a little off the radar following that, but came back (QRO live review) in 2010 with Infinite Arms (QRO review), a more polished record in ways good & bad, but picked it up in 2012 with Mirage Rock (QRO review), and are riding (QRO live review) from festival to festival (QRO photos at a festival).
Band of Horses
Jenny Lewis, 3:20 PM – 4:20 PM

If you like alternative music in the twenty-first century, chances are you already know Jenny Lewis (QRO photos). The former child star came to the music scene co-fronting Los Angeles’ Rilo Kiley (QRO album review) in the prior decade (QRO photos), before going solo with Rabbit Fur Coat and 2008’s Acid Tongue (QRO review). In 2010 she teamed up with boyfriend Jonathan Rice as Jenny & Johnny (QRO photos at a festival) for I’m Having Fun Now (QRO review). Last year, she reprised one of her many guest vocalist roles (others have included with Elvis Costello & Conor Oberst – see below & QRO live review together) on the reunion tour of indietronica all-stars Postal Service (QRO photos – with Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie) behind the tenth anniversary edition of the ultra-acclaimed Give Up (QRO review). For Newport Folk, however, she comes to shine all on her own (QRO photos solo at a festival), with new solo album The Voyager.
Jenny Lewis
Also:

Devil Makes Three, 2:05 PM – 2:55 PMQRO photos at a festival

Anais Mitchel & Jefferson Hamer, 1:00 PM

Devil Makes Three
Quad Stage

Jimmy Cliff, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

You wouldn’t have heard of reggae without Jimmy Cliff (QRO photos at a festival). The much-honored artist (2010 Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee, only living musician currently holding The Order of Merit, Jamaica’s highest award in arts & sciences), Cliff introduced reggae to the wider world when he sang & starred in 1972’s The Harder They Come, and is now an icon in world music (QRO photos at a festival on another continent).
Jimmy Cliff
Lake Street Dive, 4:05 PM – 5:00 PM

After meeting at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, jazz-soul outfit Lake Street Dive (QRO photos outdoors) became, “Two girls, two guys, and a whole lotta feelings.”
Lake Street Dive
Reignwolf, 2:55 PM – 3:45 PM

Check out the wild, one-man action of Reignwolf (QRO photos at a festival).
Reignwolf
PHOX, 1:50 PM – 2:35 PM

Madison, Wisconsin’s musical success story of last year, PHOX have emerged from that college town in quick time, and come to Newport Folk (QRO photos at a festival) after release of their debut, self-titled full-length.
PHOX
Also:

Mandolin Orange, 12:50 PM – 1:30 PM

Mandolin Orange
Harbor Stage

Sun Kil Moon, 5:05 PM – 6:05 PM

Mark Kozelek has been crafting intricate, exquisite music for years as Sun Kil Moon (QRO album review).
Sun Kil Moon
Also:

Robert Hunter, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

Noah Gundersen, 2:40 PM – 3:25 PM

Death Vessel, 1:40 PM – 2:20 PMQRO photos at a festival

Tall Tall Trees, 12:45 PM – 1:25 PM

Death Vessel
Museum Stage

Communion, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

London’s Communion comes across the pond to Newport, teaming up Leif Vollebekk, Hozier, Willy Mason, Bear’s Den, and Hamilton Leithauser (QRO album review).
Communion
For Pete’s Sake, 12:15 PM – 1:45 PM

When legendary American folk musician Pete Seeger (QRO photos at a festival) passed away, the country lost one of its greatest voices for the dispossessed, and one of the greatest folk musicians ever. For all three days at the Museum Stage at Newport Folk, the festival honors him by bringing together musicians to perform in his memory.

Friday features Thomas Maupin, Blind Boy Paxton, and others.
For Pete’s Sake

 

 

SATURDAY, JULY 26th

Fort Stage

Jack White, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM

The most famous artist in indie-rock, probably the most famous rock ‘n’ roller to emerge in a generation, you already know Jack White’s story (QRO photos) – married & broke-up with drummer Meg White, then formed The White Stripes (QRO live review) with her (pseudo-pretending to be brother-and-sister), massive success as a new generation of rock ‘n’ roll broke out at the start of this century/millennium, Meg’s meltdown, Jack’s work in other bands like The Raconteurs & The Dead Weather (QRO album review), The White Stripes’ final confirmed break up in 2011, and Jack White’s solo, with 2012’s Blunderbuss (QRO review) and now Lazaretto.

White’s been on everything from The Simpsons to The Colbert Report (QRO Music on Late Night TV), founded his own label, Third Man Records (that includes America’s favorite pundit as an artist), and Blunderbuss hit #1 on the charts – so don’t expect to get anywhere near the stage (QRO photos headlining a festival) unless you camp out there the night before (but hopefully he’ll play for longer than he did at his notorious Radio City Music Hall appearance in 2012 – QRO live review)…
Jack White
Nickel Creek, 4:40 PM – 5:45 PM

The progressive folk trio of Chris Thile, Sara Watkins, and Sean Watkins broke through as Nickel Creek (QRO photos) in 2000 with Alison Krauss-produced, Grammy-nominated Nickel Creek, and then won Best Contemporary Folk Album three years later with This Side – only to go on an indefinite hiatus following the follow-up, Why Should the Fire Die?. But the fire has been reborn and the Creek runs again with this year’s reunion and new album, A Dotted Line.
Nickel Creek
Deer Tick, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

The dirty side of alt-country garage-rock comes to Newport Folk in the form of Deer Tick (QRO photos outdoors), who’ve been rockin’ bigger & bigger stages (QRO photos) and wilder & wilder shows (QRO live review) since the release in 2012 of their latest, Divine Providence (QRO review).
Deer Tick
Shovels & Rope, 1:50 PM – 2:50 PM

South Carolina folk duo Shovels & Rope (QRO photos) – a.k.a. husband & wife Michael Trent & Cary Ann Hearst (QRO photos at a festival) – finally found success when they teamed up, and have been getting serious notice since last year, including appearances on Late Show with David Letterman and even Austin City Limits (QRO Music on Late Night TV).
Shovels & Rope
Also:

Pokey LaFarge, 12:25 PM – 1:25 PM

Aoife O’Donovan, 11:10 AM – 11:55 AM

Pokey LaFarge
Quad Stage

Kurt Vile & The Violators, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Even amongst all the lo-fi guitar-punks out there, Kurt Vile (QRO photos at a festival) has made a name for himself. The former member of The War On Drugs (QRO live review), Kurt Vile has since formed his own ensemble with his Violators, and contributed to/opened for alt-punk guitar god J Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr. – QRO live review) on his solo record, Several Shades of Why (QRO review), and subsequent tour (plus Dinosaur Jr.’s You’re Living All Over Me show in NYC). However, he’s since evolved into a frontman of his own (QRO live review) with last year’s Wakin On a Pretty Daze, including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).
Kurt Vile & The Violators
The Milk Carton Kids, 4:10 PM – 5:05 PM

Check out the flat-picking harmonies of the kids, The Milk Carton Kids.
The Milk Carton Kids
Houndmouth, 2:50 PM – 3:45 PM

From somewhere others consider nowhere, New Albany, Indiana, Houndmouth have managed to make it by working the Americana rock road.
Houndmouth
Also:

Benjamin Booker, 1:35 PM – 2:25 PMQRO photos at a festival

The Oh Hello’s, 12:20 PM – 1:10 PM

Haden Triplets, 11:05 AM – 11:55 AM

Benjamin Booker
Harbor Stage

Puss n Boots, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Newport Folk welcomes country-girl supergroup Puss n Boots, the trio of Norah Jones (QRO photos outdoors), Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper.
Puss n Boots
Lucius, 3:40 PM – 4:35 PM

The New York Times described Lucius as “The next Feist” (QRO live review) – even if you don’t believe everything The Grey Lady says, be sure to check them out (QRO photos at a festival).
Lucius
Shakey Graves, 2:25 PM – 3:15 PM

Shakey Graves (QRO photos at a festival) is the post-folk alter ego of Austin’s Alejandro Rose-Garcia.
Shakey Graves
J Roddy Walston & The Business, 1:15 PM – 2:05 PM

Roddy Walston brings the rock, both as frontman for J. Roddy Walston & The Business (QRO photos outdoors) and solo.
J Roddy Walston & The Business
John Reilly & Friends, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM

That’s John C. Reilly, acclaimed actor in both comedy (Walk Hard, Talladega Nights) and drama (The Hours, Boogie Nights). But he’s no stranger to music, from his Oscar nomination in the big screen adaption of musical Chicago to his Grammy nomination for his song “Walk Hard” from the mock bio-pic, even playing at music festivals (QRO photos at a festival).
John C. Reilly
Willie Watson, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Willie Watson of Old Crow Medicine Show comes to Newport solo.

Willie Watson
Museum Stage

Third Man Records ‘Language Lessons’, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Jack White’s (see above) Third Man Records brings ‘Language Lessons’ to Newport Folk, teaching spoken word poetry with the likes of Zachary Schomburg, Joshua Marie Wilkinson, Janaka Stucky, Sampson Starweather, Paige Taggart, Kendra Decolo, and Chet Wise.
Third Man Records
For Pete’s Sake, 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM

When legendary American folk musician Pete Seeger (QRO photos at a festival) passed away, the country lost one of its greatest voices for the dispossessed, and one of the greatest folk musicians ever. For all three days at the Museum Stage at Newport Folk, the festival honors him by bringing together musicians to perform in his memory.

Saturday features Daniel Meyers, Hurdy Gurdy Band, Katie McNally, Mandolin Workshop, and Troubadour Workshop.
For Pete’s Sake

 

 

SUNDAY, JULY 27th

Fort Stage

Mavis Staples, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM

Newport welcomes artists old and young, and one of the legendary vets this year is Stax icon Mavis Staples, who’s played everything from Lincoln Center (QRO live review there) to The Daily Show/The Colbert Report’s ‘Rally To Restore Sanity and/or Fear’ (alongside friend/admirer Jeff Tweedy of Wilco – see right below).
Mavis Staples
Jeff Tweedy, 4:45 PM – 5:50 PM

One of the biggest & best names in alt-country thanks to his work fronting maybe the biggest & best bands in alt-country, Wilco (QRO live review), Jeff Tweedy’s done some fine work outside of the Wilco juggernaut as well, such as teaming up with Stax Records legend Mavis Staples (see right above – even playing The Daily Show/The Colbert Report’s ‘Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear’ with her). So look for Wilco, solo & more when the Chicago native crosses comes to Rhode Island.
Jeff Tweedy
Conor Oberst, 3:20 PM – 4:20 PM

Welcome back, Conor Oberst (QRO photos at a festival). As Bright Eyes (QRO photos), Conor Oberst won legions of hearts (including Summer’s on The O.C.QRO Music of The O.C.), but after 2007’s Cassadega (QRO review), he dropped the name and strayed into unfortunate country terrain (QRO live review). In 2011, not only did the Bright Eyes name come back (QRO live review outdoors), but also the Bright Eyes (QRO photos at a festival) sound on The People’s Key (QRO review). Last year he revived his early agit-punk band, Desaparecidos (QRO live review), but he’s shifted back to being Mr. Oberst once again for this year’s Upside Down Mountain (and his backing band for this tour is Dawes – see right below QRO photos together), so who knows what to expect (QRO photos at a recent festival)…
Conor Oberst
Dawes, 1:55 PM – 2:55 PM

An up-and-coming Americana indie outfit (QRO photos) that’s come up, Dawes (QRO photos at a festival) hail from Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon (QRO photos outdoors), out last year with third release Stories Don’t End – and neither do they (QRO photos), as they come to Newport (QRO photos at a festival) while serving as opener & backing band for Conor Oberst (see right above QRO photos together at a festival).
Dawes
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, 12:40 PM – 1:30 PM

Thao Nguyen (QRO interview) broke through in 2008 with We Brave Bee Stings and All (QRO review) and its fun, charming folk-rock, and followed it up the following year with Know Better Learn Faster (QRO review). After teaming up with Mirah for Thao + Mirah (QRO review), she since returned to the Get Down Stay Down (QRO spotlight on) with last year’s We the Common (QRO review). Her live shows (QRO photos outdoors) are, if anything, more engaging (QRO live review), whether in a college student center (QRO photos), a massive converted warehouse (QRO photos), or an outdoor festival (QRO photos at a festival).
Thao
Ages and Ages, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Portland’s Ages and Ages (QRO photos at a festival) are kind of a hipster big tent revival band for the twenty-first century.



Also:

Berklee Gospel Choir, 10:20 AM – 11:10 AM

Ages and Ages
Quad Stage

Rodrigo y Gabriela, 5:35 PM – 6:35 PM

Rodrigo Sanchez y Gabriela Quintero (why are there no male-female duos with the woman’s name first?…) mix Mexican song stylings with an Irish troubadour nature. Their classy nature has led them to grace such stages as Radio City Music Hall (QRO photos there) and Austin City Limits (QRO photos there).
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Trampled by Turtles, 4:10 PM – 5:10 PM

From frigid Duluth comes the warm jam-folk of Trampled by Turtles (QRO photos), who are hitting up Newport Folk again, after doing a number of festivals last summer (QRO photos outdoors).
Trampled By Turtles
Also:

Hurray For the Riff Raff, 2:45 PM – 3:40 PM

Gregory Alan Isakov, 1:25 PM – 2:20 PM

The Lonesome Trio, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Leif Vollebekk, 11:10 AM – 11:55 AM

Gregory Alan Isakov
Harbor Stage

Lucero, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

These cowpunkers (QRO photos) arrive at today’s workingman’s punk from the southern, country/punk end of things. Singer/guitarist Ben Nichols did his own thing with a solo record and ‘Revival Tour’ (QRO photos at a festival) with Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music – QRO photos) and Tim Barry (Avail), but the band has since gone big-time, including 2009’s 1372 Overtone Park (QRO review) and 2012’s Women & Work (QRO review). But live & outdoors (QRO photos outdoors), they stay true to their roots (QRO photos at a festival).
Lucero
Valerie June, 3:55 PM – 4:50 PM

From the hills of Tennessee, Valerie June was first exposed to music in the church, and expanded her sound into roots-folk and blues while in Memphis, where she was featured on MTV’s $5 Cover, which explored struggling artists in Memphis. That led to the self-releasing artist finally getting a record deal for last year’s Pushin’ Against the Stone, which featured several songs co-written with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.
Valerie June
Hozier, 2:35 PM – 3:30 PM

Ireland’s Andrew Hozier-Byrne comes to Newport off of breakthrough single “Take Me To the Church”, with debut full-length coming in September.



Also:

Pegi Young & The Survivors, 1:20 PM – 2:10 PM

Caitlin Rose, 12:10 PM – 1:00 PM

The Deslondes, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Hozier
Museum Stage

The Bluegrass Situation, 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Learn all you can about the roots of American music at The Bluegrass situation.
The Bluegrass Situation
For Pete’s Sake, 11:15 AM – 2:15 PM

When legendary American folk musician Pete Seeger (QRO photos at a festival) passed away, the country lost one of its greatest voices for the dispossessed, and one of the greatest folk musicians ever. For all three days at the Museum Stage at Newport Folk, the festival honors him by bringing together musicians to perform in his memory.

Sunday features David Neiman, Matt Fitchenbaum, Sanlikol Barsamian Du, and Harvey Reid.
For Pete’s Sake

 

 

For festival website, go here: http://www.newportfolk.org/

 

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