Newport Folk Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newport Folk Festival |
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My Morning Jacket performing at the festival in 2015
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| Genre | Contemporary folk music and other genres |
| Venue | Fort Adams State Park |
| Location(s) | Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 41°28′41″N 71°20′08″W / 41.478056°N 71.335556°W |
| Years active | 1959–1960, 1963–1969, 1985–present |
| Inaugurated | July 11, 1959 |
| Founders | George Wein, Pete Seeger, Albert Grossman, Theodore Bikel, Oscar Brand |
| Most recent | July 22, 2022 – July 24, 2022 |
| Next event | July 28, 2023 – July 30, 2023 |
The Newport Folk Festival is a yearly music festival held in Newport, Rhode Island. It started in 1959 and focuses on folk music. The festival was created by music promoter George Wein, along with music manager Albert Grossman and folk singers Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, and Oscar Brand.
It was one of the first big music festivals in America. It is still a very important event for folk music today. The festival happened every year in Newport from 1959 to 1969, except for 1961 and 1962. It first took place at Freebody Park, then at Festival Field. In 1985, George Wein brought the festival back to Newport. Since then, it has been held at Fort Adams State Park.
Contents
History of the Festival
How the Festival Began
The Newport Folk Festival started in 1959. It was founded by George Wein, who had already created the famous Newport Jazz Festival. Wein noticed that folk music was becoming very popular. He started inviting folk artists to perform at his jazz club.
These performances were very successful. Wein soon realized there was a big demand for a full folk music festival. He asked Albert Grossman, a manager for folk artists, to help him plan the event. Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, and Oscar Brand also helped start the festival.
The first festival was held at Freebody Park. Many famous folk artists performed, including Pete Seeger and Odetta. A special moment was the first public performance of 18-year-old Joan Baez. The festival returned in 1960 and grew to three nights. It featured music from around the world.
A History of Standing Up for Change
The Newport Folk Festival has always been connected to movements for change. In the 1960s, it became a place for artists to support civil rights and anti-war efforts. Singers like Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and The Staple Singers used their music to speak out.
Later, in the mid-1980s, new artists continued this tradition. They spoke about women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, peace, and protecting the environment. From 1988 to 1999, Ben & Jerry's ice cream company sponsored the festival. This partnership helped the festival grow and kept its focus on important social issues.
Supporting Civil Rights
In 1962, a gospel group called the Freedom Singers was formed. They were young members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Pete Seeger helped them organize a tour of colleges. This helped connect the civil rights movement with folk music.
In 1963, the Freedom Singers performed at the festival. The next day, Joan Baez joined SNCC activists and about 600 festival-goers. They marched through Newport to support the upcoming March on Washington.
Later that night, Bob Dylan performed a set of songs about important topics. Then, Peter, Paul and Mary returned to the stage. They sang "Blowin' in the Wind" and invited Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and the Freedom Singers to join them. Together, they sang "We Shall Overcome", which became a powerful song for the Civil Rights Movement.
The Return of Mississippi John Hurt
Mississippi John Hurt was a self-taught musician and farmer. In 1928, he recorded a few songs, but they were not popular. He went back to farming, thinking his music career was over.
Years later, in 1963, two music fans found one of Hurt's old songs. They used a line from his song to find his hometown of Avalon. They tracked him down and convinced him to move to Washington, D.C. He then started a national tour.
This tour ended at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival. Mississippi John Hurt performed with other blues musicians. His performance was a huge success and helped him become famous. He then performed at many colleges and on TV shows.
Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson
In 1969, Johnny Cash was set to perform at the festival. Cash had recently discovered Kris Kristofferson, a young songwriter. He convinced George Wein to let Kristofferson join him on stage. Kristofferson's performance helped launch his music career.
The 1969 festival also featured the first festival performance by James Taylor. He sang "Carolina in My Mind" and received a standing ovation. However, his performance was cut short. George Wein announced that Apollo 11 had just landed on the Moon!
Festival Takes a Break and Returns
The Folk Festival did not happen in Newport in 1970. There were money problems and issues with the Newport Jazz Festival. After a riot at the jazz festival in 1971, George Wein moved his jazz festival away from Newport. The folk festival then stopped for over ten years.
In 1981, Wein brought his Jazz Festival back to Newport. It was held at a new location, Fort Adams State Park. Robert L. Jones, Wein's longtime producer, helped run the shows. Jones had a dream to bring back the folk festival. In 1985, he convinced Wein to restart the Newport Folk Festival.
The Festival from 1985 to 2006
With Robert L. Jones in charge, the festival celebrated many types of American music. This included blues, bluegrass, gospel, and more. It also featured modern songwriters and famous bands. The festival added a Friday night concert and more stages.
Some memorable performances included a young Alison Krauss. There were also iconic blues shows by B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt. Other popular artists like Indigo Girls, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Wilco also performed. The festival grew and attracted large audiences.
Michelle Shocked's Protest
The Newport Folk Festival has a long history of supporting protest movements. In the 1960s, it played a big part in the civil rights movement. In the early 1980s, it was one of the first festivals to speak out about climate change.
In the 1990s, folk musician Michelle Shocked used her performance to protest war. She asked the audience to lie down on the ground. This was to highlight the importance of peace and remember the impact of war. This protest was especially meaningful because Newport is near a naval base.
Bob Dylan's Return
In 2002, Bob Dylan returned to the Newport Folk Festival. This was his first time back since his famous "electric" performance in 1965. Everyone was very excited to see what he would do.
Dylan took the stage wearing a white cowboy hat and a fake beard. He played a mix of his classic songs and newer material. Many famous people, including Al Gore, were backstage to watch. Music writers said that even with his unusual look, the music was what truly mattered.
Films and Books About the Festival
In 2005, the band The Pixies performed an acoustic set at Newport. This was a nod to Bob Dylan's electric performance. Their set was recorded and made into a film called Pixies: Acoustic: Live in Newport.
In 2013, a documentary called The Newport Effect was released. It explored the festival's impact since 1959. The film included interviews and performances. It was narrated by Joan Armatrading and other musicians.
Two books have also been written about the festival. George Wein's memoir, Myself Among Others: A Life in Music, came out in 2003. In 2017, Rick Massimo published I Got A Song, A History of the Newport Folk Festival.
A New Chapter for the Festival
The Newport Folk Festival started as a non-profit event. It became a for-profit business in the mid-1980s. However, in 2011, the festival announced it would return to being a non-profit. This was done under the Newport Festivals Foundation.
The Foundation aims to keep the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals going. It also wants to expand their reach through education. They celebrate new ideas while keeping the old traditions of jazz and folk music alive.
50th Anniversary Celebration
By 2006, Robert L. Jones could no longer produce the festival. In 2008, George Wein hired Jay Sweet to help. Sweet brought in popular bands like The Black Crowes and Trey Anastasio. Some folk fans questioned these modern acts. However, the festival was well-attended and received good reviews.
In 2009, Wein asked Jones and his team to work with Sweet for the festival's 50th anniversary. Their teamwork led to a celebration that included artists from many generations.
The Modern Era
The success of the 2009 festival started a new era. Under Jay Sweet's leadership, the festival has become a central part of American music again. There have been many surprise performances, including Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell.
The festival has become very popular. In 2011, the Saturday tickets sold out. In 2012, both days sold out. In 2013, the festival expanded to three days, and Saturday and Sunday sold out. By 2014, all three days sold out months in advance. The festival has sold out every year since then.
"65 Revisited" Performance
In 2015, the festival celebrated 50 years since Bob Dylan's famous electric performance. They scheduled a secret program called "65 Revisited". Everyone wondered if Bob Dylan would return.
Instead, the show featured many modern musicians. These included Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, Gillian Welch, and Hozier. The group performed a collection of Dylan's songs. They ended with "Rainy Day Women No. 12 and 35".
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The 2020 festival was canceled because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Artists who were supposed to perform that year were invited back for the 2021 festival.
In March 2021, Rhode Island's governor announced that the state was working with the Newport Festivals Foundation. They planned to hold the folk and jazz festivals with changes. The 2021 Newport Folk Festival was held as two separate three-day events. It included performances, storytelling, and workshops.
Joni Mitchell's Surprise in 2022
The 2022 festival returned to its usual format. A major highlight was a surprise appearance by Joni Mitchell. Brandi Carlile introduced her as the festival's final act. This was Mitchell's first full public performance in many years. It was also her first time at the festival since 1969.
Festival Style
In recent years, the Newport Folk Festival has become known for selling out tickets before announcing the performers. Unlike most festivals, they reveal their lineup slowly over the year. They do not release one big poster.
The festival is also famous for its surprise, unannounced artists. Past surprises include My Morning Jacket (2015), James Taylor (2015), Dolly Parton (2019), Paul Simon (2022), and Joni Mitchell (2022). These unexpected performances add to the excitement of the festival.
The Festival Location
The Newport Folk Festival happens every year at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Fort Adams has four stages. The Fort Stage looks out over Newport harbor and the famous Claiborne Pell Bridge. There are also the Harbor Stage, The Quad Stage, and The Museum Stage.
The festival is known for its beautiful setting. The music blog Consequence of Sound wrote that the park is "gorgeously scenic." It described the "glimmering, clear blue water" surrounding the green land. You can see many boats on the water from the fort towers.
My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James told Spin magazine that the location is "magical." He said, "You've got the sun on your skin and the breeze in your hair. It's just magical." Singer Brandi Carlile also called it "one of my favorites."
WMVY radio began streaming the festival in 2005. NPR Music joined them in 2008. You can find recordings of past performances and interviews online.
Being Green and Sustainable
The festival has worked hard to be environmentally friendly. It partners with groups like Clean Water Action to collect recyclables. They also set up composting stations to reduce waste. A part of the money from beer and wine sales goes to Clean Water Action.
The festival's official beer company uses plant-based, compostable cups. The festival also works with CLIF Bar, which sets up a bike valet. This encourages people to ride their bikes to the event.
They also partner with New England Wind Fund to use clean energy. Klean Kanteen provides reusable water bottles. Farm Fresh Rhode Island helps bring local foods to the vendors.
Awards Received
The Newport Folk Festival has won several awards:
- In 2015, Consequence of Sound named it Music Festival of the Year.
- Pollstar named it Music Festival of the Year in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
Albums Recorded at the Festival
Many albums have been recorded live at the Newport Folk Festival. Some of these include:
- The Newport Folk Festival, 1959 (3 Volumes) – Vanguard Records
- The Kingston Trio Live at Newport – Vanguard Records (recorded in 1959, released in 1994)
- The Newport Folk Festival, 1960 (2 Volumes) – Vanguard Records
- The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker (Vee-Jay 1961) – includes two songs from the 1960 Festival
- Live at Newport – Phil Ochs (songs from 1963, 1964, 1966)
Albums from 1963 by Vanguard Records
- Newport Broadside (Topical Songs) – featuring Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, The Freedom Singers, Pete Seeger, and more.
- Blues at Newport – featuring Rev. Gary Davis, John Lee Hooker, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, Mississippi John Hurt.
- Country Music and Bluegrass At Newport – featuring Doc Watson, Mac Wiseman, and The Country Boys.
- Old Time Music At Newport – featuring Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, and others.
- The Newport Folk Festival 1963 – The Evening Concerts: Vol. 1
- The Newport Folk Festival 1963 – The Evening Concerts: Vol. 2
- Live at Newport (John Lee Hooker album)
Albums from 1964 by Vanguard Records
- The Newport Folk Festival 1964 – Evening Concerts: Vol. 1
- The Newport Folk Festival 1964 – Evening Concerts: Vol. 2
- Long Journey Home – featuring The Kentucky Colonels with Doc Watson.
- Festival: The Newport Folk Festival 1965
- Ben & Jerry's Newport Folk Festival '88 Live
- Ben & Jerry's Newport Folk Festival, Vol. 2 (1990)
- Turn of the Decade 1989-90: Ben & Jerry's Newport Folk Festival
Festival Performers
Many famous artists have performed at the Newport Folk Festival. Here are some of the notable ones:
First Era (1959–1969)
- 1959: The Kingston Trio, Pete Seeger, Bob Gibson with Joan Baez, Odetta, Earl Scruggs, John Jacob Niles.
- 1960: Pete Seeger, John Lee Hooker, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Ewan MacColl, Cisco Houston.
- 1963: Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Freedom Singers, Peter, Paul & Mary, Pete Seeger, John Lee Hooker, Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt.
- 1964: Bob Dylan, Jose Feliciano, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Johnny Cash, Peter, Paul & Mary, Phil Ochs.
- 1965: Bob Dylan, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Joan Baez with Donovan, Peter, Paul & Mary, Gordon Lightfoot, Maybelle Carter, Pete Seeger.
- 1966: Chuck Berry, Richie Havens, Judy Collins, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Pete Seeger, The Lovin Spoonful, Phil Ochs.
- 1967: Muddy Waters, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Arlo Guthrie, Maybelle Carter, Janis Ian, Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
- 1968: Big Brother and the Holding Company, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, B.B. King, Joni Mitchell, Arlo Guthrie, Taj Mahal.
- 1969: Johnny Cash with June Carter and Kris Kristofferson, Carl Perkins, Big Mama Thornton, The Everly Brothers, Buffy Sainte-Marie, James Taylor, Arlo Guthrie, Muddy Waters, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison.
Second Era (1985–2010)
- 1985: Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Judy Collins, Taj Mahal, Tom Paxton.
- 1986: Odetta, Tom Rush, Richie Havens, Alison Krauss, Sweet Honey in the Rock.
- 1987: Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Bragg, Alison Krauss.
- 1988: Los Lobos, Robert Cray Band, Richard Thompson, Taj Mahal, Dr. John, Buffy Sainte-Marie.
- 1989: Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris, Odetta, B.B. King, Ry Cooder, John Lee Hooker, John Prine.
- 1990: Joan Baez, Indigo Girls, Richard Thompson, Michelle Shocked, Ry Cooder, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
- 1991: John Prine, Randy Newman, Indigo Girls, Richard Thompson, Nanci Griffith, Suzanne Vega, Mary Chapin Carpenter.
- 1992: Four Voices in Harmony (Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Indigo Girls), Loudon Wainwright III, The Band, Bruce Cockburn.
- 1993: The Band, Peter, Paul & Mary, Mary Chapin Carpenter, John Prine, Indigo Girls, Joan Baez, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Sarah McLachlan.
- 1994: Sarah McLachlan, Indigo Girls, Richard Thompson, Fairport Convention, Randy Newman, Arlo Guthrie.
- 1995: Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Indigo Girls, Keb' Mo', John Hiatt, The Jayhawks, Ani DiFranco, Wilco.
- 1996: Indigo Girls, Bruce Cockburn, Lisa Loeb, Ani DiFranco, Joan Armatrading, John Hiatt, Michelle Shocked.
- 1997: James Taylor, Little Feat, Joan Baez, John Hiatt, Janis Ian, Violent Femmes, Rosanne Cash.
- 1998: Lyle Lovett, Joan Baez, Violent Femmes, Lucinda Williams, Loudon Wainwright III, Marc Cohn.
- 1999: Joan Armatrading, Wilco, Indigo Girls, Suzanne Vega, Steve Earle, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Susan Tedeschi.
- 2000: Willie Nelson, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Natalie Merchant, Shawn Colvin, Guy Clark.
- 2001: Emmylou Harris, Indigo Girls, David Rawlings and Gillian Welch, Joan Osborne, Michelle Shocked, North Mississippi Allstars.
- 2002: Bob Dylan, Shawn Colvin, Arlo Guthrie, Dar Williams, Bruce Cockburn, The Blind Boys of Alabama.
- 2003: Lyle Lovett, Aimee Mann, John Hiatt, Ani DiFranco, John Prine, Joan Armatrading, Keb' Mo'.
- 2004: Crosby, Stills & Nash, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Wilco, Rufus Wainwright, Joan Osborne, Doc Watson.
- 2005: Pixies, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Bright Eyes, Richard Thompson, Odetta, Arlo Guthrie.
- 2006: David Gray, Indigo Girls, Odetta, Rosanne Cash, David Rawlings and Gillian Welch, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
- 2007: The Allman Brothers Band, Linda Rondstadt, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Ralph Stanley, John Butler Trio.
- 2008: Brian Wilson, Jimmy Buffett, The Black Crowes, Levon Helm, The Avett Brothers, Cat Power, Brandi Carlile, Trey Anastasio.
- 2009: Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Gillian Welch, Billy Bragg, Iron & Wine, Mavis Staples.
- 2010: Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, John Prine, Jim James, Andrew Bird, Brandi Carlile, Levon Helm, Richie Havens.
Non-Profit Era (Since 2011)
- 2011: The Decemberists, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Gillian Welch, Tegan and Sara, Mavis Staples, Earl Scruggs, Wanda Jackson.
- 2012: My Morning Jacket, Jackson Browne, Conor Oberst, Iron & Wine, Patty Griffin, Arlo Guthrie, Alabama Shakes, Of Monsters and Men.
- 2013: Beck, The Avett Brothers, Feist, Jim James, Colin Meloy, Andrew Bird, The Lumineers, Father John Misty.
- 2014: Jack White, Ryan Adams, Band of Horses, Jimmy Cliff, Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy, Jenny Lewis, Sun Kil Moon.
- 2015: Roger Waters, James Taylor, The Decemberists, My Morning Jacket, Leon Bridges, Hozier, Sturgill Simpson, Sufjan Stevens, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile.
- 2016: Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, Norah Jones, Alabama Shakes, Ryan Adams, Flight of the Conchords, Graham Nash, Father John Misty, Margo Price.
- 2017: Wilco, Fleet Foxes, Regina Spektor, John Prine with Roger Waters, Jim James, Drive-By Truckers, Ben Gibbard, The Avett Brothers, Rhiannon Giddens.
- 2018: Mumford & Sons, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit with David Crosby, Jon Batiste, St. Vincent, Margo Price, Cheech & Chong, Courtney Barnett.
- 2019: Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Trey Anastasio, Sheryl Crow, Portugal. The Man, Kermit the Frog with Jim James, Phil Lesh, Jeff Tweedy, Amy Ray, Hozier, Judy Collins.
- 2020 Event canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2021: Beck, Randy Newman, Waxahatchee, Nathaniel Rateliff, Allison Russell with Chaka Khan, Margo Price, Lucy Dacus, Bleachers, Grace Potter.
- 2022: Brandi Carlile with Joni Mitchell, The National, The Roots, Japanese Breakfast, Maren Morris, Lucy Dacus, Dinosaur Jr., Béla Fleck, Bleachers, Courtney Barnett, Anaïs Mitchell, Paul Simon.
- 2023: Lana Del Rey, James Taylor, My Morning Jacket, Jon Batiste, The Hold Steady, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Los Lobos, Aimee Mann, Nickel Creek, Maggie Rogers, Angel Olsen, Billy Strings.
- 2024 (lineup still being announced): Killer Mike, Guster, Gillan Welch and David Rawlings, Wednesday, Adrianne Lenker, Tinariwen, Sierra Ferrell.
See also
In Spanish: Newport Folk Festival para niños
- American folk music revival
- Festival!, 1967 film
- No Direction Home, 2005 Martin Scorsese documentary on Bob Dylan
- Kerrville Folk Festival
- Philadelphia Folk Festival
- Newport Music Festival
