Newport Folk Festival 2010 Highlights

The Newport Folk Festival always fosters a sense of community -- both among the fans that relax on abutting blankets at the Fort Stage, as well as among the bands that are welcomed, if not encouraged, to mingle backstage and collaborate onstage.  This year's festival took that sense of community and collaboration to a new level with numerous artists, including Andrew Bird, Jim James, The Swell Season and headliners John Prine and Levon Helm, inviting others to share their stage.

Another high-water mark for Newport this year was the eclecticism of the lineup, a trademark of the festival in the Jay Sweet-era.  Sure, there were folk traditionalists like Ritchie Havens, Tim O'Brien and, of course, John Prine.  However, the lineup was rounded out by established songsmiths Jim James and Andrew Bird; up-and-coming artists like A.A. Bondy, Dawes, Daniel Martin Moore and Ben Sollee, The Felice Brothers, O'Death and The Low Anthem.  Nneka brought a refreshingly unique sound to the festival with her blend of Afro-hip-hop rhythms and a social/political message.  Calexico and The David Wax Museum took slightly different takes on Mexican/Southwest-inspired Americana, while Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Levon Helm and Elvis Perkins in Dearland brought varying degrees of New Orleans jazz to the festival.  It was an eclectic and successful mix, proving that the term "folk music" is a broad umbrella.

Here's my attempt at narrowing down a weekend of great memories to a handful of highlights:

Dawes:  I've been a fan of Dawes since I saw them open for Delta Spirit at the Middle East a couple years ago, and while their record North Hills is fantastic, it's still the live show that reminds me how fantastic this band is.  Their headlining set at Great Scott earlier this year was a revelation - the energy was off the charts from the start.  Dawes' set at Newport got off to a slower start - that isn't to say the performance wasn't great, but it took longer to win over a crowd that was undoubtedly less familiar with the music.  However, by the end of the show they had the entire crowd on their feet, singing along as Taylor Goldsmith stood at center stage, arm around his father as they both sang "I've got a feeling it's gonna be alright".  An amazing performance to close out the Quad stage on Saturday.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band:  I ducked out a few minutes early from The Avett Brothers because I know that Preservation Hall Jazz Band was a must-see, but to be honest, I didn't exactly know what to expect.  When I arrived at the Harbour Stage I found Jim James on stage, crooning along with a group of New Orleans jazz legends that looked like kids on Christmas morning.  The smiles from all parties were infectious, but the music moreso - Blue Yodel No. 9 with Jim James was downright nasty (in the best way possible).  Before the set was done Andrew Bird, Ben Sollee and Tao Rodriguez Seeger had also joined the band and the crowd was on its feet, dancing and singing along.  I was grinning from ear to ear - my favorite performance of the weekend.

  

The Avett Brothers:  I've only seen the Avett Brothers a handful of times, but I left each of those shows thinking that they were, hands down, the best band on the planet.  Last year the Avett Brothers came to Newport on the cusp of releasing their major label debut I And Love And You.  Their set was great, but not the catharsis that a normal Avetts show is - maybe it was the timeslot, or the fact that most of the crowd wasn't familiar with the new songs - or maybe it was just me.  But this year was completely different.  The Avetts put on an absolutely frenetic show, and the crowd at the normally laid-back Fort Stage was as active as I saw all weekend.  They mixed trademark ballads and banjo-punk stomps and kept the crowd on their feet.  They reminded me what a great band they are.  

  

The David Wax Museum:  I feel like I'm overdoing it a bit on the David Wax Museum love lately, but I can't help it - they're just too good.  To recap, the band entered a contest run by Magic Hat to win a slot at Newport.  From over 150 entries, they were selected as one of three finalists.  They won with over 3,000 votes - a testament to the number of fans they've collected through rigorous touring.  Obviously a big opportunity for the band to reach a larger audience, but it's what they did with that opportunity that made them one of the highlights of the festival for me - they absolutely played their hearts out.  Playing a mix of Mexican-influenced songs with eclectic instrumentation - accordion, jarana and donkey jawbone are featured prominently - they slowly won over the large crowd at the Quad Stage.  The clear turning point was when, halfway through the show, the band left the stage, trading the comfort of amplification for the intimacy of playing acoustically amongst the crowd.  The gospel-influenced "Let Me Rest" from 2009's Carpenter Bird showcased the band's harmonies, but it was "Unfruitful", an accordion and fiddle-led stomper from the band's upcoming album, that really brought the house down.  As the band climbed back on stage to finish their set the roar from the crowd was deafening - the had come to Newport as underdogs and conquered.

  

Green River Festival recap

By Seth Mitchell

Who would have thought that a family friendly festival - complete with children’s tent and a train - could actually rock?  Green River Music Festival in Greenfield, MA blew all preconceptions from my mind.  Now in its 24th year, the Green River Festival, which is held on the sprawling campus of Greenfield Community College, has had time to work out the kinks that plague most music festivals.  Great performers, shows that actually start on time, plenty of bathrooms and an air conditioned shuttle to transport festival- goers from the free parking lots can even make up for the lack of any on-site camping (though there are plenty of nearby state and private campgrounds, and even a few hotels).   

Families and children made up the majority of the crowd, and led to its overall friendly “mom and pop” atmosphere.  Umbrellas, chairs, and blankets took up 3/4 of the field, but allowed for those intrepid enough to actually sit on the ground or -gasp!- stand for a set to catch even the largest acts from the first or second row without any trouble.

Musical highlights of the weekend included:

A set by North Carolina bluegrass veterans Chatham County Line.  The well-dressed string quartet, who have released five albums over the past 7 years, brought huge cheers from the western MA crowd.  Their foot stomping fiddle and banjo playing brought an uncommon intimacy to the early Saturday afternoon that set the tone for the rest of the festival. 

Chatham County Line bring their folk-bluegrass to the main stageThe Felice Brothers, one of my most-anticipated sets at Green River, didn’t disappoint.  These rag-tag folk-rockers (complete with cut-off t-shirts and bandanas) mashed southern rock into bluegrass and folk in a way that would make Dylan or The Band proud.

James Felice rocking the accordion with the rest of the brothersDavid Wax Museum, one of the most energetic and entertaining acts out there, were the only performers of the festival (that I saw, anyway) to get a standing ovation large enough to warrant an encore- at which point the surprised festival planners wisely ushered the band back onstage.  Playing in the side tent, David Wax Museum whipped the crowd into a dancing frenzy with their Mexicana/folk-rock mix, with a sound so unique that the only relatively apt description would be a hybrid of Calexico meets Elvis Perkins.  David Wax (the band’s namesake) has a smile and stage presence that recalls Josh Ritter, and with such diverse influences and instruments as donkey jawbones and upright basses, his talented “Museum” seems poised to break through to new audiences. 

David Wax Museum amongst the crowdI have to admit that as a Green River virgin I entered the weekend with a pessimist’s before-realized fears for remote location festivals (anyone else remember the ill-fated Shangri-La festival of 2008? No?) 24 years in, and only 2 hours from Boston or Albany, all fears for Green River were unfounded.  This festival will continue to survive based on the locals alone.  While it is obviously a different beast than, say, Bonnaroo, that difference is a positive one.  Low key and laid back, but also festive and much more manageable.  And probably the best thing about the Green River Music Festival?  With only two stages and intelligent scheduling, you can actually see all the bands that you drove so far for.

2010 Newport Folk Preview - Part 7: Levon Helm

The day has arrived - the 2010 Newport Folk Festival starts tomorrow and runs through the weekend.  It's not too late - you can still get tickets.  If you can't make it to the festival this year, watch visible voice for complete post-festival coverage!

For the past week I've been highlighting some of my favorite artists that are playing Newport this year.  And, fittingly, I will wrap things up with the man that will close out the festival on Sunday evening - Levon Helm.  My first Newport Folk Festival was 2004, when Levon Helm was on the bill along with Garth Hudson and the Dixie Hummingbirds.  However, I didn't hear until I arrived at the festival that Levon had to pull out for health reasons - needelss to say I was bummed.  I am beyond excited to finally get a chance to see one of my idols - so much so that I can't really put it into words.  I'll just let this video do the talking:

My next goal is to finally motivate myself and come up with the cash to make it out for one of the Midnight Rambles in Woodstock NY.  That might have to happen soon.

2010 Newport Folk Preview - Part 6: John Prine

The 51st Newport Folk Festival is just a couple days away!  If you don't have tickets to the festival yet I highly encourage buying them now - I've been numerous times and it's always a blast.  Watch visible voice for complete post-festival coverage!

John Prine is one of the great American songwriters.  His songs take powerful lyrics full of sharp wit and social/political commentary and marry them to hummable country/folk tunes.  Admittedly, I'm more familiar with his self-titled debut from 1971 than anything else - but I have no doubt that seeing the legend perform Sam Stone, Illegal Smile, Spanish Pipedream, Paradise and others as the sun sets over Naragansett Bay will be one of the highlights of the festival.  Below are a couple videos of Prine at Bonnaroo earlier this summer.

2010 Newport Folk Preview - Part 5: Cory Chisel

Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons first hit my radar a few months ago when I saw that they were opening for Dawes at Great Scott.  I liked what I heard so I bought the album, Death Won't Send A Letter.  What really blew me away though was the live show - Cory Chisel has a commanding presence, tall and slender, he looks the part of a frontman.  And he leads the band with a confident swagger and a nicotine-weathered voice.  A young troubador that finds the geographic and sonic middle-ground between Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.

Below are two tracks from Chisel's wonderful set in support of Dawes back in February.

Born Again (Live at Great Scott 2.20.10)
In The Deep End (Live at Great Scott 2.20.10)

2010 Newport Folk Preview - Part 4: The Low Anthem

As the story goes, two years ago The Low Anthem volunteered at the Newport Folk Festival, collecting recyclable bottles and handing out copies of their record to anyone that would take one.  They returned triumphantly last year as performers, playing to an overflowing crowd at the Water Stage.  This year they return as local heroes to play the main stage.  While their ascent in the last 2 years has been remarkable, The Low Anthem remain incredibly humble and grounded - just a group of talented musicians who travel from town to town to play their songs for those who will listen. 

Theirs is one of my most anticipated sets of the weekend.  2008's Oh My God, Charlie Darwin and 2007's What The Crow Brings are both incredible albums, nearly note-perfect.  However, I'm most excited to to hear the evolution of the new songs that will comprise their upcoming record.  Ghost Woman Blues, Take Out Your Ashes, Dreams Can't Chase You Down and the handful of other songs I've heard so far are devestatingly honest and heartbreaking songs that show amazing growth in Ben Knox Miller's songwriting.  Below is a full recording of The Low Anthem's recent show in Portland Maine - including some fantastic covers, including The Band's Evangeline with members of Brown Bird.  Highly recommended.

The Low Anthem
SPACE Gallery - Portland ME
April 23, 2010

To The Ghosts Who Write History Books
Ticket Taker
Apothecary
Sally, Where'd You Get Your Liquor From
Charlie Darwin
Ghost Woman Blues
Evangeline
Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around
This God Damn House
Home I'll Never Be
Cigarettes, Whiskey & Wild, Wild Women
Cage The Songbird
Take Out Your Ashes
Dreams Can't Chase You Down
Ain't No More Cane
The Horizon Is A Beltway
Maybe So

Full set download

2010 Newport Folk Preview - Part 3: David Wax Museum

David Wax Museum and the crew from Ktichen Sessions, Visible Voice and RSL celebrating their win with some Magic HatIt would be easy to make this up, but I swear it's the truth.  When I first heard that Magic Hat was putting on a contest to choose the final band added to the Newport Folk Festival bill my first thought was "The David Wax Museum would be perfect for Newport".  The folks at Magic Hat agreed, naming The David Wax Museum as one of three finalists.  Apparently the masses agreed as well, because David Wax Museum won in a very competitive contest that went down to the final hours. 

What makes them perfect for Newport, though?  They play a thoroughly original brand of Mexican-inflected Americana that is infectiously catchy and firmly rooted in tradition.  That, and their live show is something that just has to be experienced - at times a raucous party, at other moments incredibly intimate (they often play songs, unamplified, in the middle of the crowd) they make a connection with every crowd they play to.  Below is the "get out the vote" campaign video that helped secure the win in the Magic Hat contest - produced by RSL and Kitchen Sessions:

The David Wax Museum kick-off Sunday at Newport on the Quad Stage - the perfect way to start off your day in Newport!

2010 Newport Folk Preview - Part 2: Dawes

Dawes is a band that's doing things the old fashioned way - they put out a fantastic record, and they're touring the hell out of it.  Debut North Hills is full of laid-back folk-rock, rich with harmonies and tales of lost love.  Live the songs are delivered with a gritty intensity - frontman Taylor Goldsmith passionately spits out every word and carefully wrings each note from the neck of his telecaster.  With such a finely-crafted sound and commanding presence, its easy to forget these guys are in their mid-20s.  Below are two exclusive tracks from their fantastic set at Great Scott back in February -- listen to the crowd reaction(!):

That Western Skyline (Live at Great Scott 2.20.10)
When My Time Comes (Live at Great Scott 2.20.10)

Full recording of the show is available here

Dawes will be on the Quad Stage Sunday at 4:50, which leaves just enough time to make a beeline for the Fort Stage for John Prine.

2010 Newport Folk Preview - Part 1: Justin Townes Earle

Justin Townes Earle at Great Scott 3.4.10First up in the series of artist spotlights is Justin Townes Earle.  The son of Newport veteran Steve Earle mixes traditional country, bluegrass, blues and folk and the result are songs that are steeped in tradition, but somehow completely original.  And while the records are great, the live show is utterly captivating as Earle leads his band through energetic renditions of his songs, and engages the audience with his amusing anecdotes and Southern coloquialisms.  Check out a few songs recorded live at Great Scott back in March as well as a fantastic HD video of JTE covering Buck Owens' Close Up The Honky Tonks from the same show:

What Do You Do When You're Lonesome (Live at Great Scott 3.4.10)
Mama's Eyes (Live at Great Scott 3.4.10)

Full recording of the show can be downloaded here

Justin Townes Earle closes Newport's new Quad Stage on Sunday and provides the perfect segue into Levon Helm's festival-closing set.

Watch visible voice each day leading up to the festival for more artist spotlights!