Our First Trip to Newport Folk Fest

newport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threads
Getting to Newport Folk Fest has been a dream of mine for a while now, but somehow the reality managed to be a thousand times better than I’d even imagined.

The intimacy of the shows and side-projects, where we were able to see some of our favorites perform no more than 10 feet away, and the casual, supportive family atmosphere. Newport isn’t like any other festival I’ve seen. Artists stick around for each others’ performances, hang out in the beer garden, play separate shows together in the evening, and make the whole weekend that much more special with their honest and enthusiastic presence that, let’s face it, isn’t always a given at a show.

I was totally blown away by the whole experience — and I’m counting the days until I get to go back.

Here’s a little wrap up of the shots we took, at the shows and around town…

newport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threads
// The Avett Brothers help each other out at “Folk with Funk” — workshops led by Chris Funk of the Decemberists and Black Prairie.
// Alynda Lee Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff sings the first song she ever learned, and the second song she ever wrote.
// The Lumineers play a set with just a tambourine, a kick drum, and an acoustic guitar.
// Langhorne Slim and the Law, who were everywhere on Folk Fest weekend — I swear they must’ve played 15 shows in 3 days. All without losing a single scrap of the energy they’re known for.

newport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threads
// Around town — Newport has more than its fair share of big boats.
// Inside the Lobster Bar on Bowen’s Wharf, where we went for a lobster roll, of course.
// Outside another restaurant downtown.

newport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threads
// A plane flies overhead during the show.
// An impromptu invitation from John McCauley to his mom, asking her to join him on stage to sing that song she likes so much — Margaritaville. Before she ran on stage she put a t-shirt on over her dress with the words “Mama Deer Tick” printed on the back (referring to John’s band, Deer Tick — who played three straight sold out shows downtown each evening after the festival).

newport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threads
// J.D. McPherson rocks the main stage.
// The crowd.
// Ramblin’ Jack Elliot tells stories about his travels with Woodie Guthrie and his time with Bob Dylan.
// Frank Turner.
// Beer chips.

newport folk fest / a thousand threads
// The seagull wants a grilled cheese too.

newport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threads
// Spirit Family Reunion records a live set at the Paste Magazine Ruins.
// A little guy watches intently.

newport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threadsnewport folk fest / a thousand threads
// Inside the ruins.
// We rode to the festival each day, taking advantage of a pretty sweet bike valet.
// A stop in the park on the way to the show.

4 Comments

  1. WordPress › Error

    There has been a critical error on your website.

    Learn more about debugging in WordPress.