The lineup for the 51st annual Newport Folk Festival was just announced, and it’s a good one. Folk fans who head to Newport, R.I. this July 30-31 and Aug. 1 will get to see acts like Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin), playing banjo with bluegrass quintet the Steep Canyon Rangers; Once duo the Swell Season; the Band’s Levon Helm, bringing his legendary Midnight Ramble on the road; Yim Yames, a.k.a. frontman Jim James of My Morning Jacket; Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, who killed it per usual at SXSW last week; alt-country wailer Brandi Carlile, who just released a cool new video; Richie Havens, who is as awesome today as he was at Woodstock 41 years ago; skilled whistler Andrew Bird; Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, who is Pete Seeger’s grandson and a talented singer in his own right; and lots more folkies old and young.
Click through to the jump for all the performers who have been announced so far for George Wein’s Newport Folk Festival. Tickets go on sale at newportfolkfest.net this Friday, March 26. Will you be buying ‘em?
Friday, July 30 (International Tennis Hall of Fame)
Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Tim O’Brien
Sarah Jarosz
Saturday, July 31 (Fort Adams State Park)
John Prine
Andrew Bird
Brandi Carlile
The Low Anthem
Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket
Doc Watson & David Holt
Calexico
Dawes
Nneka
O’Death
Liz Longley
Blitzen Trapper
A.A. Bondy
Sam Bush
Horsefeathers
Sunday, Aug. 1 (Fort Adams State Park)
Levon Helm’s Ramble on the Road
The Swell Season
The Avett Brothers
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Richie Havens
Justin Townes Earle
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Punch Brothers with Chris Thile
The Felice Brothers
Tao Seeger Band
Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons
Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three
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If I could choose one fest to go to it would be this. I rebeled against my hippie mom as a punk loving teen, but my tastes have gone 180. Looks bada**.
Great lineup. I went to last year’s Fest and it was fabulous and now I’m tempted again.
I’ve gone the past two years and I’ve already bought my ticket for this year! The whole atmosphere is so calm and friendly and isn’t over crowded and rowdy like other festivals. It has alot of young families with their kids which is so refeshing to see at a music festival.
I went last year and got hooked on the Avett Brothers. I bought my ticket before the lineup was announced knowing it would be spectacular.. Jim James completes my wish for this year, can’t wait! Excellent time.
The Swell Season, amazing live band! Levon Helm! and Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings! It does not get much better then this!!