Since it’s conception 54 years ago the Newport Folk festival has boasted some very impressive musicians, such as Johnny Cash, Bob Seger and Bob Dylan. Over the years it has been home to rock, jazz, blues and many other genres. Newport’s Festival may not be the biggest music festival in the country, but it is one of the most memorable.
“Every concert has its own mystique, but Newport is somehow really special,” said John McCauley, a Rhode Island native playing Newport this year. McCauley, who also plays in the band Deer Tick, first came to the festival as a child. “It’s a really carefully selected lineup each year, and it just seems to get bigger and bigger.”
This year’s line up included nearly 50 bands that were set to perform. They included Beck, The Lumineers, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, New Orleans musician, Trombone Shorty, New Orleans Avenue, Colin Meloy of the Decemberist, The Mountain Goats and many others.
Even though the rain kept coming, so did the fans. Fan’s huddled under umbrellas to experience the “magic” that happens at Newport. “We’re definitely still having fun. Everyone was out dancing in the rain,” said Ally Miller of Middletown, Connecticut.
The historic attendance for the three day festival was over 10,000 each day and is expected to grow year after year. The ticket’s for the first two days of the event were sold out over five months ago. Many fans purchase their tickets even before the line-up is announced.