Day 2 is usually when I have my bearings, my plan, I catch full sets mostly…that did not happen this year and I blame you Newport Folk family. Because you booked such an amazing festival that I had to jump and catch bits of a lot of people’s sets. And that’s a good thing…
Once I received my NFF alert that Chris Funk was hosting an open mic in the Museum I ran over…not to play, but to see if any of my friends would pop up. I was very happy to walk in and see Steve Allain’s name on the list and sat down. A man without a capo, he played the song in a different key (which concerned him but no one else in the room as he absolutely blew the listeners away). These are my favorite moments at Newport, when friends shine alongside some of these “big names”. Love it.
In running back from catching Steve I was able to secure some good seats 
up front for Willie Watson. I can say this, seeing him solo is much more engaging and moving that when he was with Old Crow. I am not quite sure how a man can sing how he does for a long period of time. It really is quite a remarkable feat.
Aoife O’ Donovan was on the main stage so I took off from Willie after about 3 tunes to catch most of her set. I was delighted to see her joined by Paul Kowert (of Punch Brothers and Haas, Kowert, Tice). Being that I wrote Aoife’s intro to the festival it only seemed fitting I catch as much of her set as possible and she did not disappoint. The earliest set on the main stage can be a tough one but she absolutely stole the breath and hearts of the folks who had laid out their blankets already and a mob surrounded the stage to listen to her lovely voice and songs. I tell you, as much of a great singer and songwriter as she is, you had to give her credit for being a fantastic guitar player as well! As it was a day of running, I headed off to catch John C. Reilly and friends for a few and was delighted to see his humor wasn’t overpowering the set, he was extremely serious about paying homage to great songs. I have so much respect for him and his presence on stage during the festival. What a wonderful addition he made…and a pleasant surprise to see him joined by Tom Brosseau (writer of one of my favorite songs, “How to Grow a Woman from the Ground”)
Pokey LaFarge…man oh man. This was like an outbreak of speakeasy vibes, dancing all around, dressed to the nines and loving life kind of a set. When I am in the photo pit shooting I usually try to act accordingly, like I am working (it’s fun work, but it’s will work) and I couldn’t help but dance a bit as I pointed my lens up at the stage. Woooo weeee! Immediately following Pokey was Leif Vollbekk in Late July tent (again, man oh man the Late July tent was HOPPING this year, so good). Leif started at his time, but Pokey was still rocking the mainstage and Vollebekk carried himself with such poise in a somewhat awkward situation, even stopping to try and play his song in the same key as LaFarge and crew. Class act…about 3 songs in I got an alert that a certain someone was in the Museum. So I RAN….
Chris Thile in the Museum was on my top 3 best things to happen at the Fort this year. He played some Bach, he played some of his own stuff, some Celtic, some fiddle tunes, and then answered questions. Being a musician, I don’t so much put other musicians on pedestals so much as respect what they do if I like it, or admire their dedication…as a mandolinist, Chris Thile is God. Being that close and watching his play in such an intimate setting, that to me was an incredibly special feeling. Now next year if I can just weasel my way into him letting me jump up and play Forked Deer with him…
Shakey Graves blew the roof off of the Harbor Stage. THIS was the act that a huge number of Folk Fans were there to see. His set was amazing, his songs are great, and he even brought out a heavy metal styled guitar aptly named “Axe-cula”. Fun and amazing
The Milk Carton Kids were the band I missed last year and had a full year of regret to live with because of. I was not going to miss a second of their set. I also was not going to be in the photo put when they inevitably called out the photogs…which they did in a joking manner. Joey is absolutely hilarious with the banter. The meld together two guitars and two voices into one beautiful one. They were absolutely divine. This was top of the list for best set of the weekend.
Coul
dn’t find the wife, so mosied back stage and to the Fort for Nickel Creek. You cannot go wrong with Sara Watkins’ beautiful voice, Sean Watkins’ incredible guitar playing and the mandolin Jesus himself, because he makes miracles happen on those 8 strings and wood, Chris Thile. Amazing set.
Say what you will about me…but we took off before Jack White’s set. I like Jack White, I have been a fan, but we were tired and had a long drive ahead of us. So sue me!
A long drive…to sleep, then head back and do it again for a final day….