My Newport Folk Festival 2014…Day 1

As much as I would like to cover each day of the Newport Folk Fest immediately following the festival that evening, I find myself swimming in a sea of thoughts and memories that I need to let my mind digest before spewing it out into the world. It’s been a few days since Friday, so…here I go.

Day 1 of Newport always tends to be a day of finding my legs, catching a little bit of a lot, and re-acquainting with old friends wandering around the fort. This year was no different, with a ton of sets, smaller sets in my favorite stage (The Museum) and as turned out to be a theme for the weekend, a lot of the Late July Tent performances. For me this year turned a lot to the smaller acts, my friends playing the open mic or popping up throughout the festival and for me that was truly special and something that Newport embraces far more than any other better known festival. That is what makes Newport Folk special.

After talking on the phone with Mike (Tall Tall Trees), I knew I had to catch a good portion of his set. He was such a genuine and passionate guy to talk to about music on the phone that it was inevitable to see that bleed into his live performance and that is an understatement. He was poised, funny, and engaging. He is able to take a banjo and essentially create a full band on stage experience through the use of loops, drumming on his banjo, and creating impressive, melodious textures by blowing into the back of it. It truly is a spectacle that has to be taken in live. The audience was hooked immediately and when he busted out a noisemaking keychain to create an almost electronic dance arrangement to his set, I was floored. This was something completely different and unique than anything else I would see all weekend long.

Bidding adieu to Mike a little before his set ended, I headed up Quad side to check out Mandolin Orange. I had seen them shoot an Old Guitar video that myself and many of my other folk friends have shot with Idlewilde Creations, so I was curious about their live act. Harmonies, harmonies, and more perfect harmonies was what awaited me. Their voices blended together to pure perfection. Swapping instruments throughout the set, fiddle to guitar, guitar to mandolin. It is always nice to see that variety and talent play out on stage. I will be listening to these two much more in the future.

Something that Newport does so well is mix well established, touring acts with local ones that are working their tails off and creating some great music. I got to catch Death Vessel at the Harbor stage for a few tunes, which was really great. I don’t think anyone could disagree that Joel has THE most distinctive and unexpected voice of anyone at the festival that weekend, and that’s a good thing. The entire band was really on fire, and the harmonies were tight. Great to see a local hero act being received so incredibly well. I then took off to Devil Makes Three and for a grilled cheese at the Fort. DMT had MorganEve Swain sitting in on fiddle as well which was a really special moment for me. One of the more lasting feelings of the weekend.

Being at the fort, and wanting some Red Hot Mojo chips from Late July, I hit the tent, checked my phone and had a text message from Ian Fitzgerald, informing me he was playing the Late July stage in just a few minutes, so you know I hung out to catch him. Ian is someone that you cannot explain to someone. You simply need to see him play and listen to his songs. The best part was when he was done a small child came up and told Ian that he rocked and that he loved harmonica and played it too. This right here is what is different about the Newport Folk Festival. That you will catch the acts mingling with families and making time to say hello to their young fans who will no doubt be taking their families here in 20 years.

Reignwolf brought the matches and lit the Quad on fire during what I caught of their set. Bluesy, rock n’ roll goodness and energy that just grabbed you and wouldn’t let go.

Jenny Lewis…I may be shunned in some circles, but I lasted about a song here and just couldn’t get into it. People seemed to really love it, but, ehhh not for me.

Another example of good local music turned incredible national phenomenon…Lake Street Dive.  I cuddled into the photographer pit with my newly formed friends for the weekend and looked up to see a very enthusiastic Michael Calabrese waving frantically at me. Was good to see him and give him the “hey, I’m here to see you kick ass my friend” nod. Lake Street is another band that you just need to experience. There is so much attitude and soul and sexiness in their performance. Rachel Price is a force of nature. A force that will tear your goddamn house off of its foundation, and then croon sweetly to you and let you know it’s ok, it’s just a house and there is music to make it all better. My wife summed it up perfectly “they were…they were just wow”. Oh yeah, and then Mavis Staples showed up and sat in.

Band of Horses, good. I sat down and hung out on the lawn for a big. But honestly didn’t pay much attention…honesty is the best policy right?

Sun Kil Moon. Not like the previous records. Interesting, but didn’t blow me away.

Ryan Adams set was my Friday need to catch and he didn’t disappoint. He was a bit feisty, but his banter was funny as all hell.  His set was a mix of old favorites, some amazing new tunes, and his well known and self proclaimed song that doesn’t make sense unless it involves a time machine for clothing items. Still, it was an incredibly moving and emotion driven set of staggering proportions. Ryan Adams is always a star…and was really accommodating and nice to folks back stage too.

Day 1 was a win.