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returning to the real world today, reflecting on an amazing weekend.
so much good stuff all day (nearly too much, as i found myself seeign a few too many partial sets friday/saturday), but just a great weekend overall.
some highlights: - Low Cut Connie put on one of the single best sets of music I have ever seen. I was excited going in but they far exceeded expectations. to have literally entire quad standing and dancing before 11:30, for the entire set, was impressive. cannot wait to see them again asap
- to whoever told me to see Brandi Carlile in person to get it: ok ok, i get it. loved every one of her guests spots, from margo to lucius to mumford and in the end i made sure not to miss her sunday set, which was a lot of fun
- passenger was probably biggest surprise of the weekend. was nowhere near my radar but a slow sunday led to me checking out whole set. dude was great, his voice was amazing, also very funny and great stage banter. "sounds of silence" was certainly a highlight of the weekend.
- darlingside were perfect kick off and it was great to see how happy the guys were to be in the spot. saw them previously but they were better here, with Harrison Ford really standing out. caught them again at Kids tent where despite battling shakey graves soundcheck they played a great mini set to a tent-bursting crowd, including covering smashing pumpkins 1979.
- ham + rostam seemed to deal with some sound issues but they were really impressive, ham's voice is insane to see live
- other great sets: margo, shakey, hiss, jenny lewis, mumford, nicole atkins, LANGHORNE AND HIS MOMMA
- disappointments (if you can call them that): st vincent - i get it was impressive but i just couldnt get into a dozen piano ballads at that pt tyler - was great but i spent most set wishing it was in a dirty bar somewhere bermuda triangle - rosie was beautiful but rest of set was a bit too quiet and slow to get me going, especially after some of the other quad sets of weekend.
i tried to book rooms again immediately for 2019 and found most sites make you wait til 11 months out. aka, i am ready to go back, ASAP.
Warren Haynes came out during the last few songs of his set.
I got tipped off on that, couple minutes later ran up to the Quad, and when I got there he just started the first song. Good timing on my end. Thanks to ilovethisgame
Was it his regular jazz combo, though, with Warren Haynes as guest, or a different lineup?
My last “complaint” post before following up with an apology / in Jay we trust post.
While there were some brilliant moments during yesterday’s headliner, including Chris Thile and Jon Batiste’s duet and the first few songs of the set in which the Dap Kings were focal and slaying, I was a little underwhelmed with the choice of that as the closing act. The two surprising guests were Leon and Chris, and I am a little bummed they didn’t have Leon perform a song of his own like Chris (would have loved to have heard a hit off the new album). And Ohio was already crushed two days prior and it was hard to follow that Crosby / Isbell performance. Valerie June seemed unprepared / unrehearsed. I thought having Rachael Price sing the namesake song was in poor taste with how many powerful and soulful black singers were at this year’s fest (she wasn’t born by the river in a little tent... she comes from a family of money / known performers).
My post mortem of the weekend to come, but starting at the end: Seeger set precedent of closing the fest with a messy, all on board, all sing-along vibe. The formula continues to work.
Still, when Batiste was originally announced, we were already thinking, say, Aretha Franklin and Buddy Guy, would be there, as well. But when Aretha was taken off the road, I (and probably others) predicted Mavis, Kam Franklin and / or Brittany Howard would replace her, and we knew Leon was a shoo-in. But they were just quick walk-ons, as were the other guests, primarily from the festival. Batiste was, indeed, the Sunday headliner -- or in a sense, we all were. We learned that Batiste as the penultimate headliner meant penultimate for the entire festival. And that's OK if you are not expecting more.
Before each announcement I’m wondering who is the special arrival? Mavis had already bled her pipes on The Weight with Mumford, although Jesus on the Mainline was pretty damn close. So expectations got the better of me...again. But by the middle, I was often weak-kneed, thrilled, moved, awed, and already missing the festival. Chris Thiele! Maggie Rogers! Batiste!... is a wonderful and very charismatic musician…but he is no M.C., slowly sipping water, seemingly a bit confused over who was coming on stage next. It didn’t matter a bit.
Serious Alert – 1) Could we hold off on the farewell, hand-slapping line until after the music, please? Bad time to get annoying.
2) I get it about Rachel being an odd choice to sing the namesake song. She has the talent, but is missing a certain rawness of someone who could feel it in her blood. Rhiannon Giddens would have better fit the bill. But it wasn’t wrong, any more than when a black actor plays Hamlet, a white musician channels Muddy Waters, or a Christian portrays a Jewish victim of the Holocaust. It’s what’s in our hearts. And in a quirky way, this reminded us of shared pain, understanding, and hope. A duet perhaps? But that's a musical decision. That’s why I thought of Rhiannon Giddens. She effectively argues that is fine for her to sing Celtic, and for someone like Rachel to sing about being born by a river, if we accept an appreciation for those we give voice to. David Clayton Thomas of BS&T faced this with God Bless the Child, and was heartily defended on the tour bus, I seem to recall, by Miles Davis.
Either move the blanket section back significantly on the quad or enforce a rule like they do for saved seating where you have to be in your seat by the end of the first song.
Clearwater Hudson River Revival has a community rule probably suggested by Pete. Anyone is welcome to use your blanket if you are not there, as long as they leave when you return.
at some point i will try to write up specific song highlights, but i am already guessing this version of "dusty trails" with lucius and brandi will be very near the top of it.
hoping for many many many more set releases from the npr folks
Post by thevagabond on Jul 31, 2018 15:37:50 GMT -5
Mumford and Sons
John Prine Mavis Staples David Crosby A Change is Gonna Come
Jason Isbell St. Vincent Stugill Simpson Courtney Barnett Warren Haynes
Glen Hansard Bermuda Triangle Leon Bridges Brandi Carlile Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite
Jenny Lewis Margo Price Gary Clark Jr. The Lone Bellow Passenger
Shakey Graves Lucius James Mercer Hiss Golden Messenger Sharon Von Etton
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real Toots & the Maytals Langhorne Slim Maggie Rogers Khruangbin
This is my mock final poster (with just about the top half of artists). I'd be curious what people think of placements, especially the first few lines. Or let me see your own mock up.
Lots of thoughts about Newport over these last few days. Some of them have already been said, so i won't repeat everything. I will offer some new points and at the end I will offer a new insider tip to Newport that I discovered this year and kept to myself until after Newport was over (which is not as generous as the spirit of Newport should be.)
Firstly, I concur on a lot of the magical sets that people have mentioned. I find there is a definite rhythm to the weekend where on Friday I forget that I am there to share in a soulful experience and try to chase around every musician that I am interested in seeing. By Sunday I have resigned myself that I have to choose between Langhorne and Brandi and shouldn't try to go halvsies on both. Chose Brandi and it was amazing... am absolutely positive that it would have been amazing if I had stayed in my great Harbor seat for Langhorne as well. (BTW Good article in the New York Times today on these types of decisions by the guy who coined the term FOMO.)
Will add that two of my magical moments were musicians that I had stumbled across over the last couple of weeks before Newport because they were playing in the museum. Thanks to this board I chose to go to the museum to see Butch Walker. I had started to listen to him over the last few weeks and his songs really spoke to my youth. Love Bullet Belt with Shovels & Rope. Even picked his autobiography up at the library. Seeing him play, a totally different type of sound, a "sad" set as he called it, was fantastic. And not just because he was great but because he seemed so genuinely happy to be there (in contrast with his sad music.) Same thing happened seeing Becca Mancari (1/3 of Bermuda Triangle) play her set on Sunday morning. It was fantastic. Even had a third variation of "Ohio" which was great. Seeing her go from being nervous and geeked out about playing the museum to being on stage with Mavis Staples in the final set made me so happy.
And I think about that. About how the great part of Newport is about how much of the emotion is shared between the performer and the audience. As many of us have, I grew up idolizing musicians and thinking of them as celebrities. I got all geeked out about being close to Nathaniel Rateliff last year. But there is something about Newport that makes you feel close to the artists and it really feels like they feel close to you. It's been mentioned several times before but The War and Treaty's tears were expressing what so many of us were feeling. Like even if I was close to these people and had seen them perform hundreds of times, I would still be thrilled to see this performance. It really says something that Langhorne Slim and Valerie June brought their mom's to Newport.
As for the negative energy on the board... I have to say that it got a little carried away at times this year. So much talk about how the lineup was weak. I suspect that we all share these thoughts because we want the festival to be great. That being said, there was a quote in that NYT article I linked above that spoke loud to me: (*FOBO is Fear of Better Options... like FOMO) "I see F.O.B.O. as an affliction of affluence. In order to have F.O.B.O. you must, by definition, have options. It is a byproduct of a hyper-busy, hyper-connected world in which everything seems possible, and, as a result, you are spoiled for choice. It’s also driven by narcissism. People with F.O.B.O. put themselves and their needs and wants squarely around the people around them — all of the people who are adversely affected by their F.O.B.O." It sounds harsher than I would apply to this board, but I think we need to consider that what we write here is public and criticism should be framed in a way that you would want to hear it if you were responsible.
I can't recite Jay's mantra from the morning gatherings verbatim, but maybe someone else can. The piece that stuck out to me was "Be Present". There was also a strong theme about being grateful for the things we have. I am grateful for Newport, for the hard work of the volunteers and the staff that put it together and the respect and love that the artists put into their performance.
Few more thoughts: Due to a last minute lack of self control and our kids being away at camp, we saw the Punch Brothers play at the House of Blues in Boston on Wednesday night and it was great. Afterwards I looked at their schedule and fully expected them to make a pop-up appearance somewhere on Friday because they were going to be in NY Sat/Sun. Seeing Chris Thiele come out made me so happy. That being said, it occurred to me at the time how it seemed like the oddest guest on this set in that he kind of represents one of the whitest artists I can think of. He hosts the current version of Prairie Home Companion for God's Sake. And he plays the mandolin! Then, seeing the magical back and forth with Jon Batiste... a once in a lifetime performance for sure, it seemed obvious what was being said. And, I love that song.... all about Being Present.
Similarly, the absolute silence and appreciation while Jon Batiste played Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. How does that belong in a set on Civil Rights? it was a set of taking contrasts and bringing them together into harmony. In that way Rachel Price fit right in.
My wife and I talked a lot about gender representation at the festival this year. It appears that Jay (and crew... i think we probably give Jay too much credit for all the work that goes into this and should spread it out to the others,) is very intentional about trying to balance the gender representation in the lineup. However, if you look at the overall stage presence of the back-up bands throughout the days, it turns out to be about 75-80% male if not more. Now, i am sure this is not something unique to Newport or even something the festival could really change. If Valerie June wants to come with 10 men backing her up, that is her choice. But the foundation could do more to encourage female musicians to pursue it as a career... not just vocalists. I am sure someone could provide an example, but would be hard pressed to think of a female drummer who has played Newport.
Maybe turn over an afternoon set at the Children's Stage to the Girls Rock program to highlight some of their best. Wouldn't it be incredible to be a 13 year old girl who rocks her guitar at Newport! Could imagine her ending up on stage with someone for their set.
Also, JP Harris and Motel Van Zandt also did an awesome job curating the Museum Stage. My wife saw Matt the Electrician and Chris Smithers and loved it. Was the best its been since I have attended. That being said, maybe they should put at least one day in the hands of a woman to curate.
In spite of my critique earlier about the negative energy on this board, I have really come to value the participants on this board. Another great thing about Newport is the discovery of new music that moves you This board has a way of extending that throughout the year. Love to hear all the recommendations, theories about who should play and experiences at shows throughout the year.
Final things: There was that great moment after Valerie June left the stage during the Change is Gonna Come set and someone in the crowd shouted out "That Shit is Crazy" and Jon Batiste looked out and said "I Know." There is something about that woman. She has an old soul. For those of you that know it, one of the first books that really had a lasting impact on me is Stephen King's The Stand and she reminds me of Mother Abagail. Like she knows something the rest of us don't.
OK... new insider tip.
If you are one of the people that arrive between 10:00 - 11:00 and wait in that loooong line for coffee. Now that the Park building is on the inside of the gate, you can go inside there and buy coffee. I went in around 10:30 on Sunday and there was 1 person in line. Woo Hoo!
Post by burgheburg on Jul 31, 2018 17:17:37 GMT -5
Was no one on here at the Lone Bellow set? Man after that and Passenger I was already emotionally spent on Sunday and then Passenger got me a 2nd time at his busking set, haha.
Here's video of 'There Is Love All Around You' that was an ode for Scott Hutchinson from Frightened Rabbit. Co-written by someone from the National I missed the name and Brian Elmquist.
Like most years, I spent a lot of time in the museum this year. Highlights were Autumn Defense, and 2 Trains Runnin' on Sunday although there was maybe 10 other people in there with me for that one.
But the foundation could do more to encourage female musicians to pursue it as a career... not just vocalists. I am sure someone could provide an example, but would be hard pressed to think of a female drummer who has played Newport.
Maybe turn over an afternoon set at the Children's Stage to the Girls Rock program to highlight some of their best. Wouldn't it be incredible to be a 13 year old girl who rocks her guitar at Newport! Could imagine her ending up on stage with someone for their set.
Also, JP Harris and Motel Van Zandt also did an awesome job curating the Museum Stage. My wife saw Matt the Electrician and Chris Smithers and loved it. Was the best its been since I have attended. That being said, maybe they should put at least one day in the hands of a woman to curate.
Jen Cloher had a female drummer. Can't think of any more right now.
Was no one on here at the Lone Bellow set? Man after that and Passenger I was already emotionally spent on Sunday and then Passenger got me a 2nd time at his busking set, haha.
Here's video of 'There Is Love All Around You' that was an ode for Scott Hutchinson from Frightened Rabbit. Co-written by someone from the National I missed the name and Brian Elmquist.
Didn’t realize no one had mentioned The Lone Bellow yet! Definitely top 10 for me, as they always are. Consequence of Sound’s review had a good line on them saying how every show they play they just seem to get better and it’s a shame they’re not more popular. Especially at this festival. Them and Langhorne are both artists that could put on amazing headlining sets at Newport if they had the popularity to warrant it.
Speaking of that, both Langhorne and Hiss Golden Messenger deserved Fort stage spots. Hopefully they’ll both get them next time.
To be fair, the coffee vendor’s coffee was delicious. Worth the wait.
The backing band comment is very true; I didn’t think about that at first, but you are right.
It’s evident that Jay is actively booking a diverse lineup. And I applaud that effort. I would really love for the next iteration of the fest to somehow focus on obtaining a more diverse audience. I have no idea how it can be achieved. And obviously, I myself am doing nothing to better that. But folk music should be for everyone (obviously the lineup reflects this notion), but right now the festival is for a very limited demographic. I think it could be a very important step if Jay was able to use this festival to broaden the appeal of folk music across demographics. One way might be through “Presents” concerts; having them in historic venues in neighborhoods a little more diverse than Newport (and bring in additional sponsors to help make them more affordable).
Speaking of that, both Langhorne and Hiss Golden Messenger deserved Fort stage spots. Hopefully they’ll both get them next time.
I'm still a relatively newish Hiss fan but definitely love his stuff and think after this year (between festival stuff and after party stuff) he'll get a big bump next time around.
I was honestly shocked Langhorne got a Harbor stage slot. Yea, he closed it out but it was still pretty surprising. I know he wasn't with "The Law" and had a different band but still found it a bit odd. Sort of the same with Glen Hansard getting a Quad stage spot after killing it on the fort stage. Better timeslot but still odd to see.
I had made peace with sacrificing Langhorne's set for others but when I was walking to the fort I saw them sound checking and just decided to stay and get as much of it as i could before going back to Quad for Glen. Great time.
unless you really dont like the heat i cannot understand how anyone could have come out of this weekend with any complaints
I had an experience at the Father John Misty after party show that I've only had a handful of times in my concert going life. And it was watching someone on stage play their songs while ABSOLUTELY NOBODY was talking/making noise and for most of the songs nobody was checking their phones or doing other stuff. I totally love it when everyone in the crowd is on the same wavelength for stuff like that. We were all there silently taking it in.
Love the Lone Bellow, but I’ve seen them so many times. So I was ok skipping them this time. Went to see Atkins, then the busk, and also Glen whole set! No regrets!
It’s hard to narrow down the best sets because each set seemed to outdo the previous, but if I had to (in no particular order):
- Phoebe Bridgers - War and Treaty - Caamp - Margo Price - Mumford and Sons - Erika Wennerstrom - Hamilton and Rostam - Passenger
Would probably be my favorites of the weekend. Jason Isbell close behind.
Only set that disappointed me was Moses Sumney. In the Coachella webcast, he brought a backing band. But at Newport it was just him. And while that worked for Passenger, I just felt like Moses was phoning it in a little bit.
Seeing some comments about the membership not really guaranteeing tickets for next year. For those that got accepted, is this true?
Does it really only allow you access to the presale, but no guarantee?
Yes, it was the same thing last year too. The basic membership just gives you early access to buy tickets, it does not guarantee you tickets. You have to do the Gulls & Stars to get guaranteed tickets.
Seeing some comments about the membership not really guaranteeing tickets for next year. For those that got accepted, is this true?
Does it really only allow you access to the presale, but no guarantee?
Yes, it was the same thing last year too. The basic membership just gives you early access to buy tickets, it does not guarantee you tickets. You have to do the Gulls & Stars to get guaranteed tickets.
Only set that disappointed me was Moses Sumney. In the Coachella webcast, he brought a backing band. But at Newport it was just him. And while that worked for Passenger, I just felt like Moses was phoning it in a little bit.
I loved Moses, first time seeing him live and he blew my mind, all the layering and looping was wild and felt unique compared to most of the other sets this weekend. But I'm sure it would be awesome to hear him with a backing band too. I agree that Passenger really brought it.
Seeing some comments about the membership not really guaranteeing tickets for next year. For those that got accepted, is this true?
Does it really only allow you access to the presale, but no guarantee?
This is how they explained it to me:
$100 to enter the drawing for two duckets; $200 for four. No guarantee your name will be selected in that drawing, though. If you are not, the contribution is not charged to your credit card. I met a guy who donated $1500; his tickets (2?) were guaranteed and paid for by the contribution, as well as two tickets for one after show. Plus a nice sum for the Foundation.
I think the system is too easily gamed, and while the big buck donations go for a great cause, seemed unfair to those on a limited budget, and would rather they give away their newsletter, posters, CD's. And although I would have donated in either case, I felt compelled to improve my odds. Received confirmation by email yesterday of being in the pre-sale for two tickets. Now wish I had gone for 4.
Forget who I read about living and sleeping in his car 200 days a year -- Joe Purdy? Charlie Parr? -- and barely scratching out a living. And wondering how many performers here could not afford the upfront money. These are slippery slopes.
Best quote repeated on this Board: "It's a once in a lifetime event that happens every year". 1) Have now attended 6 out of 7 years, and never been to an after show. Missing a lot. 2) First year I didn't go to the Museum b/c of the lines, but missed the Cordovas, Joe Purdy, Laura Veirs, et al. Having different curators , perhaps each day, is a great idea. 3) Have seen Brandi Carlisle three times, but since she went on first, I went to the Fort and I thought this one of the most important, beautiful, and moving performances. I was tired of "The Eye," but have never heard the harmonies this good. 4) Had to tear myself away because need my Langhorne, too, and he didn't disappoint. But the sightlines at the Harbor are brutal. Maybe some wooden bleachers in the back? Better stage lighting because the back lit sky put performers in the dark? 5) Absolutely love the audiences. So please, whomever did the hand-slapping lines in the center of the Fort during the closing Sunday performance, have some consideration. Sometimes we are just not self-aware. 6) Best vibe for me was War and Treaty. The words, the songs, the raw emotion. 7) Please book War and Treaty again! I sometimes wonder why certain acts don't get asked back. Rodrigo y Gabriella slayed a few years back, but didn't didn't seem to "get" what the day was about. War & Treaty most certainly did. 8) Ahh, Cross Cut Connie. Told y'all they blew me away at Lincoln Center. Scraped the paint off the joint. Adam Weiner was actually somewhat tamer Sunday. He travels with that monstrous piano (named after a barmaid) because tears it to shreds. But all the "I love you, Newport" schtick, and quick exit...How will the bookers view them? They have to return just so they can sing Beverly next time. It shows another thoughtful side of Adam's song writing. 9) Nearly skipped {passenger because his voice grated on me. Sunday he probably brought more laughter and more tears than any other performer for me. A big fan now. 10) Expectations hurt my enjoyment a wee bit for the Sunday headliner. Have to remember 2012 when I knew so few acts, and still loved every second. 11) Biggest testament to Newport -- kinda dragged my 20 something son, who would rather have been at Panorama. He loved every moment, and "got it" in about 20 minutes. He's returning next year. 12) We need a meeting tent. Too many great performers I missed because I still don't know enough of them. Thank you all for helping open my eyes. So...Neil or Bruce next year?
