newport folk festival

I haven’t touched this blog in almost a year and my brother asked why it died, so here I am starting it back up again…

This past weekend I had the privilege of spending my third year in Newport, Rhode Island for the historical and magical Newport Folk Festival. I am well aware of how corny I sound when I use the word “magical,” but there’s no other way to describe it. I cannot compare Newport Folk Festival to any other festival because I really haven’t attended any other, but I know for sure that Newport is the most amazing. It is full of genuine people of all ages from infants to the elderly and everyone is there for one reason only – they’re appreciation for music. Whether it be discovering new music or remembering music from the past, they’re there for an unforgettable experience.

This year was specifically about remembering music, Bob Dylan to be more specific. It marked fifty years since Bob Dylan went electric at Newport. I was not alive then, but being an old soul born in the wrong generation I feel a deep connection to this event. Bob Dylan is a god to me – a unique musician and poet who always forged his own path and never looked back. Much to my disappointment, he did not look back this year to celebrate that event 50 years ago. Rumors swirled Fort Adams, but he was a no show. The event closed with his Fender Stratocaster and set from 50 years. It’s almost better he didn’t show up – even though the closing performance was about him, it wasn’t. It’s about today’s artists who are forging they’re own path.

It was difficult to see every performance I wanted to... from Courtney Barnett to the Decemeberists to Shakey Graves, the artists who performed were anything but uneventful. I’m so humbled that I was fortunate enough to spend three days listening to wonderful music with wonderful friends.