My Newport Friday Plan
One thing I can always be certain about at Newport is that nothing is certain. I will undoubtedly stray from my plan that I make, but being married to the woman that I am I have grown to love making lists and planning (plus my day job is…strategy and planning, so I guess it makes sense).
So, what’s the point you ask? I suppose having a plan of folks I want to shoot photos for, pieces of sets I want to see, and possible special appearances force me into my subdudification to “The List”. It also keeps me in check so I can try and move from stage to stage and take in not just the music but the people, the atmosphere, and of course the Del’s lemonade stands. So for better or worse, here’s a preview of my Friday at Newport Folk Festival.
While I will likely attempt to catch some of the Museum stage’s For Pete’s Sake, I anticipate it will be quite a nightmare to get in as it is all that is happening for the first half hour. That being said I see myself plopping as close to the stage as possible in the Harbor Tent to catch a good portion of Tall Tall Trees. Mike was a real sweet guy to talk to and his music isn’t just good, its interesting. He is very thoughtful in how he creates and I think to witness that live is going to be a really special thing.
From there I could go two ways. Stick around at the harbor to catch Death Vessel or try and leave a little early to catch the end of Mandolin Orange. Joel (of Death Vessel) is another one of these folks that I just want to support and see shine on stage here at the Fort. His voice is so unique and his songs are gorgeous. Mandolin Orange…well, they have a mandolin and amazing harmonies. This is going to be a tough call for me.
I’ll probably putts around the Quad Stage for a bit, see what’s happening in “The Ruins” and if they are having any special performances and take some shots of the crowd leading into The Devil Makes Three as I make it back to the Fort. This is a must catch set for me. If you don’t know why, then you should be at this set. The next set I want to catch is Jenny Lewis, luckily in the same place. Hoping to catch some interviews with artists backstage and some folks in attendance as well during this time. Jenny is someone that I have been told I need to see, and I just feel like I need to see. So I will kick around the Fort until…
I will cut out of Jenny’s set a bit early and through the backstage because I HAVE to see Lake Street Dive’s set. This is my hometown hero set (where last year that was Kingsley Flood for me). Mike was a good pal when he was doing time in another friend’s band and Rachael Price has pipes like no other. This is going to be a standout set for the weekend in many people’s minds. That is something I am sure of. Even with the growth and popularity of the band expanding over the past year or two, I think there are a lot of Newport Fest-goers that may not be as familiar with them, but they certainly will be by the end of Friday.
The wife is big into Band of Horses, so we will likely stake out a spot on the Fort stage for them and catch the vast majority of their set. This will likely be one of those sets that I should already have on my own list, but don’t because I am way behind the ball.
Ryan Adams caps of Friday and is probably going to be the top highlight of my weekend. Much of my own music is heavily influenced by the songwriter and he has been a go to listen and inspiration for me for years and years. I just love this guy and I am sure seeing him on the Fort stage is going to be a surreal and divine moment for me. Warning, if I look like I am in a trance like state of disbelief during his set, do not disturb me! I’ll be fine.
And then comes Saturday….
What is your Friday schedule looking like?
