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This year’s lineup for the Newport Folk Festival features an impressive medley of artists. Bursting at the seams with talent, the roster ranges from the likes of veteran songwriters like Jackson Browne and Patty Griffin to the rising southern rock gods and goddess of Alabama Shakes to the 2011 critically acclaimed indie artist tUnE-yArDs. The Fest will also feature a tribute to Woody Guthrie in the Guthrie Family Reunion and a performance from Jay Farrar, Jim James, Will Johnson and Anders Parker, the artists behind the album New Multitudes.
Dating back to its start in 1959, the Newport Folk Festival has been helping to cultivate and burgeon folk artists for over forty years. Claiming home to many great moments in the history of folk music, such as Bob Dylan’s premiere national performance, the launching pad of Kris Kristofferson’s career, and even Dylan’s first electric performance, the Newport Folk Festival is well steeped with history. And this year’s Festival is expected to be no different.
Although the line-up has varied over the years and has imparted festival goers with music from all genres, the Newport Folk Festival has always kept true to its roots by providing artists and listeners with an atmosphere that truly nurtures the tradition of roots music – which is why many claim the festival has become such a staple over the years.
“There’s nothing better than knowing that there are thousands of people who love the Newport Folk Festival as much as we do and they want to see it live for years to come,” said Jay Sweet, festival producer. “Our Folk Family proved it last year and they are proving it again as we listen to and read the many wonderful comments from people who have already planned to attend the festival even before this announcement. We are extremely humbled to have the support of the fans and the artists who help to make Newport the best place in the world for our annual Newport Folk Festival Family Reunion.”
However, known equally well for its unique simple and laid-back aura, the festival has found itself over the years home to numerous once-in-a-life-time impromptu jams and performances that often combine the artistic talents of the unexpected and expected.
“Having been fortunate enough to play Newport Folk a number of times by myself, and with a number of different artists and friends, I’m now super excited to have the opportunity to play with my oldest pals in My Morning Jacket!” said singer/songwriter and front man of this year’s headliner, My Morning Jacket (and more recently, New Multitudes contributor), Jim James. “This is a wonderful occasion for us to play a unique set in the spirit of the festival, and create some new memories together alongside our friends in Newport.”
Tickets for the festival go on sale today – Thursday, March 1, at 10:00 am. For more information about the Newport Folk Festival or tickets, check out www.newportfolkfest.net.
The 2012 Newport Folk Festival line-up features:
SATURDAY, JULY 28 – 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
My Morning Jacket
Iron & Wine
Patty Griffin
Guthrie Family Reunion
Dawes
City & Colour
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Deer Tick
Blind Pilot
Alabama Shakes
Sharon Van Etten
First Aid Kit
Brown Bird
Jonny Corndawg
Frank Fairfield
Spirit Family Reunion
Robert Ellis
Apache Relay
Honeyhoney
Sleepy Man Banjo Boys
SUNDAY, JULY 29 – 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
Jackson Browne
Conor Oberst
Punch Brothers
Tallest Man on Earth
The Head & The Heart
tUnE-yArDs
Gary Clark, Jr.
Trampled By Turtles
Tom Morello
Of Monsters and Men
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker & Yim Yames performing
Original Music set to the Lyrics of Woody Guthrie
Sara Watkins
Carl Broemel
Ben Sollee
Spider John Koerner
Jonathan Wilson
Deep Dark Woods
Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons
Kossoy Sisters
Joel Rafael
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