Newport Folk Festival 2024 - 7/26-7/28

Son Volt is in VT on 7/20. They still have not been booked from ‘20

I hope so but with his tour dates in the Spring I'm just gonna assume he's out for my own peace of mind

I would love any of those. I’d like The War on Drugs too. Think Mitski is in play?

How did you see that early?!

Oh yeah! They did that last year too.

I could see Mitski headlining and would love it. I was thinking of getting tickets for Merriweather Post Pavilion, a 19000 capacity venue, but she sold out 2 shows and then added that third show with Sierra Ferrell. Regarding the Lana treatment, Mitski would be a less surprising headliner than Flight of the Conchords.

Also, we are due for a female/female-led headliner. We had 0 last year. Further, it was noticeable and odd to me that, during the entire 3-day festival, only 4 female artists - LDR, Maggie Rogers, Danielle Ponder, and one of the local openers - were even booked for the main stage. I can’t imagine it was intentional though, given past lineups.

Mitski doing 3 nights at Merriweather is so wild. The 9:30 club email said it’s the first time in 30 years that somebody has played 3 nights in a row. Wasn’t expecting this to be the name of the last person to do it: Jimmy Buffett.

I got bored and made a full mock/clashfinder

A little over-ambitious and geared towards my taste, but I tried to be mostly realistic. And I didn't include any of the usual collab sets but I'm sure they'll be there.

Also haven't delved into potential local Fort openers, anyone have suggestions?

Mock Clashfinder

So with about 8.5% of the lineup announced, time to do some premature evaluations.

So far this lineup doesn’t do much for me, personally. I appreciate it and think it’s a fair lineup, but there isn’t a single announced act I’d pay to see. (For comparison, last year had Billy Strings, Goose, Noah, Maggie, the Beths, the Hold Steady, LDR, and many more, as acts I’d drop $$$ on.) A few acts I’d be happy to casually check out though.

This is in no way a complaint, as I appreciate others’ excitement with the lineup, and I know many are out there without tickets. If things continue as is, there’ll be two more tickets for others. That said, I haven’t been disappointed by a Newport lineup (personal tastes) in 6+ years so I don’t expect I will this year either.

I think with inflation, I’m just being more cognizant of how I evaluate these decision. I really wish the Newport trek wasn’t around $2,500+ for two people, but with hotel prices, tickets, and airfare, that’s what it’s up to.

Orville Peck should be on that list as well. Thinking back, I do seem to recall we had Orville, Billy, and the Beths announced in the first few weeks. (Maybe Noah as well?)

That’s a good question - and maybe one I don’t know the answer to yet. I didn’t realize how much I’d fall in love with the Beths until after they were announced. So I’m also happy for Newport to pick some bands that I love but don’t yet know that I love.

I’d love to see Orville and Noah invited back. Vampire Weekend would have been at the top of the list, but looks like we can rule them out. I’d love to see some folk punk this year, whether that be Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello, or the Front Bottoms. I’d also love a long shot booking like Sleater Kinney or Pavement for that Dinosaur Jr. spot.

I’d enjoy seeing Wet Leg and Last Dinner Party. Seems like we can rule both of those out with conflicting festival appearances recently announced.

I’ve been listening to Josiah and the Bonnevilles and Mitski a lot lately, so I’d be happy with either or both of those. Would like to see Beabadoobee on the lineup after she had to drop off. I think I’d enjoy a set from Ethel Cain even though I only recently started getting into her music. Gracie Abrams is in that vein of music as well, and I know she’s worked with Aaron Dessner, and it would be really cool to see her alone (or her and Aaron).

I haven’t listened to much of either, but think I’d welcome and enjoy flipturn or the Moss, who I’ve seen pop up on festival lineups this summer.

Florence and the Machine is always at the top of my list for headliners. I’d love to see Newport land Sigur Ros or Belle and Sebastian one of these years. Bombay Bicycle Club is another throwback currently on tour I think would be a great fit that I’d love to catch at a festival. Would love to see Newport land Grizzly Bear or Beirut after all these years, but I’m not sure either is currently active.

I’m always in for a good Newport dance party, whether that’s lively bluegrass, folktronica, or upbeat soul.

I assumed that we wouldn’t get Big Thief and just the Adrianne Lenker set. But Newport has been known to double down on artists the past few years. I would love if Big Thief got their own set too

I think you and I are on the opposite spectrum lol. I am excited if they leaned back into straight folk and folk adjacent acts more. The indie thing got away from Jay a little I feel. I have no desire to see vampire weekend at Newport Folk fest, but that’s just me. I am ecstatic about Adrianne, Gillian and Sierra. I think it’s a great start, but I get it’s not for everyone. I do think you will end up getting some of what you asked for. I hope Mitsli doesn’t get a headlining spot if she’s on the bill.

I only went for one day last year, but as I was watching James Taylor last year it felt clear to me that this is what I’d been missing all day. The magic in a stripped down folk set is really something for me. In contrast, when I watched someone like the Beth’s or heavy heavy, it just didn’t feel like a fit for me personally. I think these acts have their place but I’d prefer that they are the minority.

Although, a Sigur Ros set would have me really intrigued in that environment. That sounds great.

Vampire Weekend is out

Everyone’s favorite Ryan Adams announced a solo tour, open at the end of July. Touring Love is Hell and Self Titled.

Closest local is Boston in November.