Newport Folk Festival : NPR

Newport Folk 2018 Preview: Cheech And Chong, Kaia Kater, Glorietta, And More

Courtney Barnett, one of this year's performers, at the Newport Folk Festival in 2015. Bob Boilen/NPR hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Newport Folk 2018 Preview: Cheech And Chong, Kaia Kater, Glorietta, And More

July 24, 2018 • All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen chats with Newport Folk Festival executive producer Jay Sweet about this year's surprising lineup.

Newport Folk 2018 Preview: Cheech And Chong, Kaia Kater, Glorietta, And More

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Stream The 2018 Newport Folk Festival This Weekend

Chicano Batman performing at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival Adam Kissick/NPR hide caption

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Stream The 2018 Newport Folk Festival This Weekend

July 27, 2018 • Hear sets from Courtney Barnett, Margo Price, Lucius, Fantastic Negrito and more during the live stream of the Newport Folk Festival.

John Paul White, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

John Paul White performs at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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John Paul White, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 11, 2017 • "If you came to this set looking to be cheered up, you're screwed," White deadpanned from the stage. His music can give goosebumps, even on a sunny summer day; hear his set at Newport now.

John Paul White, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Joseph, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Joseph performs at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Joseph, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 11, 2017 • The Portland trio, composed of sisters Natalie, Meegan and Allison Closner, makes music that invites its audience to share in its bond of sisterhood. Hear Joseph's set at Newport Folk now.

Joseph, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Julia Jacklin, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Julia Jacklin performs at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Julia Jacklin, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 11, 2017 • The folk-rock singer from Australia's Blue Mountains makes music that confronts all the anxieties a 20-something feels about getting older. Hear songs from her debut album, Don't Let The Kids Win.

Julia Jacklin, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Wilco, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Wilco performs at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Wilco, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 9, 2017 • Twenty years in, the Chicago band has staying power without sacrificing a sense of sonic exploration. Hear its catalog-spanning Newport Folk set now.

Wilco, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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John Prine And Friends, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Margo Price and John Prine perform at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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John Prine And Friends, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 4, 2017 • Hear one of Americana's most influential songwriters perform some of his timeless tunes alongside special guests Margo Price, Roger Waters, Justin Vernon and more.

John Prine And Friends, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

1:12:26

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A pioneer of the modern music festival, George Wein co-founded the Newport Jazz and Newport Folk festivals and helped launch the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. He died Sept. 13 at 95. Jonathan Chimene/WBGO hide caption

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Newport Jazz Festival

George Wein Never Stopped Listening

October 7, 2021 • Nate Chinen remembers Newport Jazz impresario George Wein, who helped create the modern music festival but never lost his appetite for listening in small rooms and connecting at a human scale.

Newport Folk And Jazz Festivals Canceled Due To Coronavirus

The band Snarky Puppy playing at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2015. Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Coronavirus Updates

Newport Folk And Jazz Festivals Canceled Due To Coronavirus

April 29, 2020 • Two of the U.S.' most influential and storied summer music festivals have been canceled for 2020, due to coronavirus concerns. The sibling events were scheduled to take place in July and August.

Pinegrove, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Pinegrove performs at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Pinegrove, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 8, 2017 • Hear the band play its tender songs about home, friendship and growing up, live at Newport Folk.

Pinegrove, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Margaret Glaspy, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Margaret Glaspy performs at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Margaret Glaspy, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 8, 2017 • The folk-rock singer performed songs from her acclaimed debut album — plus some new tracks — at Newport.

Margaret Glaspy, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Drive-By Truckers, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Drive-By Truckers perform at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Drive-By Truckers, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 8, 2017 • The band kept up a keen-edged commentary on xenophobia, censorship and racism throughout its set of gritty Southern rock. Hear its set now.

Drive-By Truckers, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Fleet Foxes, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Fleet Foxes perform at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Fleet Foxes, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 8, 2017 • Stream the beloved folk-rock band's headlining set from the first night of the festival.

Fleet Foxes, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Marlon Williams, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Marlon Williams (right) and bandmate Dave Khan perform at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Marlon Williams, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 4, 2017 • Though he was new to many in the audience, the New Zealander's lonesome set was the one festivalgoers were talking about for the rest of the weekend. Hear it now.

Marlon Williams, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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All Songs Considered

What We Saw At Newport Folk 2017

August 1, 2017 • The Newport Folk Festival is not just a festival — it's an annualized community. Photographer Adam Kissick captured it.

Brent Cobb, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Brent Cobb performs at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Brent Cobb, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

August 1, 2017 • The Georgia-born roots musician's songs tell detailed, easy-paced stories of family and close friends. Hear his Newport Folk set, with special guest Jade Bird.

Brent Cobb, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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The Wild Reeds, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

The Wild Reeds perform at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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The Wild Reeds, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

July 31, 2017 • Mackenzie Howe, Sharon Silva and Kinsey Lee's set at Newport Folk was assured and robust, a testament to potent voices made more powerful when united.

The Wild Reeds, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Big Thief, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief performs at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Slingshot: Big Thief

Big Thief, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

July 31, 2017 • The rising indie-rock band performed some new, unreleased songs during its Newport set.

Big Thief, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Hurray For The Riff Raff, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff performs live at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Hurray For The Riff Raff, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

July 31, 2017 • Stream Alynda Segarra's impassioned set from Newport.

Hurray For The Riff Raff, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Shovels & Rope, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

Shovels & Rope performs at the 2017 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Shovels & Rope, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

July 31, 2017 • The charismatic husband-and-wife duo returned to Newport after a three-year hiatus.

Shovels & Rope, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2017

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Stream The Newport Folk Festival This Weekend

The Oh Hellos got up close and personal with fans at last year's Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick/NPR Music hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Stream The Newport Folk Festival This Weekend

July 27, 2017 • If you can't join us in Newport this weekend, we have you covered. Hear sets from Shovels & Rope, Angel Olsen, Jim James, John Prine and more during our live stream of the Newport Folk Festival.

Newport Folk 2017 Preview: Drive By Truckers, Jim James, John Prine And More

Jim James, a frequent performer at the Newport Folk Festival, returns again this year. He's seen here in a set from 2013. Adam Kissick/For NPR music hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Newport Folk 2017 Preview: Drive By Truckers, Jim James, John Prine And More

July 25, 2017 • The festival's executive producer Jay Sweet explains how he picked this year's lineup and why the festival continues to resonate with people more than 50 years after it started.

Newport Folk 2017 Preview: Drive By Truckers, Jim James, John Prine And More

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Margo Price, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2016

Margo Price performs at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Margo Price, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2016

August 9, 2016 • The country singer, who's been compared to Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette, blazed through a set that demonstrated she's forging her own path. Hear the full concert.

Margo Price, Live In Concert

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Julien Baker, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2016

Julien Baker performs at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Julien Baker, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2016

August 3, 2016 • The 20-year-old Memphian's ragged-edged voice and ringing Telecaster were all it took to win over the Newport audience. Hear her solo set.

Julien Baker, Live In Concert

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