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Newport Folk Festival

Newport Folk Festival Tickets

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Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 516 reviews

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About

Since 1959, the Newport Folk Festival® has held a unique place in America's musical and cultural history. A hub for the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s and the site of Bob Dylan's famous switch to electric guitar in 1965, the festival also hosted the first major appearances of Joan Baez, James Taylor, Joni Michell and Arlo Guthrie, and sparked the revival of gospel, Cajun and blues. Today the festival still serves the musical omnivores, the fans who crave innovation but appreciate tradition. The event is held annually at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI and is a production of Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. 

Reviews

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 516 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Elivis Costello and Patti Smith Rocked the Stage!

    by folkgypsy on 8/4/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    The Folk Festival was another three days of awesome music and fellow folkie/indie music fans! It was hot as hell all three days, but the venue is so beautiful and the breeze and good vibes helped to keep things cool. Brett Dennen, the Fruit Bats, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, and Flight of the Conchords (hilarious) were among my favorites on Friday. On Saturday, the line-up was spectacular - Del & Dawg, Father John Misty, Ryan Adams, Amy Helm, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, John Mooreland, Ryan Adams, and Patti Smith. It just kept going on Sunday - Glen Hansard, Elvis Costello and Alabama Shakes were fabulous!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by Andy7171717 on 7/31/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    Always an amazing weekend. Great Music, Good food & better people.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Frustrated but satisfied

    by TeeRud on 7/29/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    First of all...I am a true fan of the Newport Folk Festival. I have been going for years and I will continue to do so. This year was different. There was heightened security...which is great...but there was a HUGE unnecessary concern about tents. The big issue was about placement within the venue. Tents have always ended up in the back of the bigger section, and there is an unspoken understanding between those that place there tent in that area..."respect other's line of sight". I can only imagine after this years "tent fiasco" that there will be more strict rules next year. When I showed up first thing on the last day and was shown the "tent area"...measuring about 10 feet along the very back of the lawn...I was shocked and outraged. How can you limit the size of the tent area? My family started going to the Folk Fest because it was ideal for a family. I cannot and will not be able to go if I cannot have the freedom of using a tent. I have a very young daughter who cannot sit in the sun all day (for 3 days)...I can't do it either. I feel betrayed by what I thought was an amazing organization and event when I was challenged multiple times by security on where my tent should go. Mind you...my tent does not block anyone's view. It is open and anyone that had to sit behind me (they chose to do so, knowing that they can see through, or above my tent). All in all...it was a great weekend, but there was this underlying frustration (of me, my family, and several...SEVERAL other families) around the "on the fly" moving around the tent area. Please...I am begging you (NFF) to let us keep our freedom to gather as we choose and lay our tent and family as we choose. Restrictions are only going to make this great experience more and more frustrating for us all. Folk on...folk on...thank you.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Great shows but crowded

    by mudlover on 7/28/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    Loved the music and choices provided. I have been going to Newport for several years and have noticed the increase in participants. One thing I did not care for was there was very little shade and places to sit in tents. In the past, patrons were not allowed to "save seats" and this helped people that wanted to sit and watch be able to. Many people were saving seats that were left open for long periods of time and that was wasted space that someone could have sat and enjoyed a song. I don't have a solution, Maybe larger tents? Maybe make it a policy not to save seats? I am not sure i will be purchasing a three day pass next year , but i will attend one or two days.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    The best weekend all year

    by MadMan1212 on 7/27/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    I cannot recommend this festival highly enough. It's a pure celebration of music and the vibes are all about love and happiness. The acts are consistently amazing. If you're even a LITTLE bit interested in folk music or rock music, you owe it to yourself to give this festival a shot.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Best Musical Event EVER!

    by BostonMusicMama on 7/27/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    I can't say enough good things about NFF. My husband and I attended all three days. It was hotter than anything - but soooo worth it. Music first - THE BEST! I counted 55 bands over the three days and there were many there that you'd never be able to see anywhere else. TONS of variety from new, lesser known artists, to more rock/indie type bands, to older favorites like Graham Nash and Elvis Costello. Definitely something for everyone. It was so well run too. Bands went on on-time over all four stages. The attendees were a great crowd. I never saw one incident or altercation. No one was drunk. People go there to hear great music and have a friendly, peaceful time. It was really a great experience. Can't wait for next year!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Newport Folk Fest is not to be missed!

    by kg00 on 7/27/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    Hands down one of the best music festivals in the United States

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Another Great Year At Newport

    by Dhalgren on 7/27/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    Newport has taken its place alongside Coachella and Bonnaroo as one of the very best festivals in the Americas. It was a fantastic festival this year, aside from one act: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes were terrible. Well the band was fine, but Alex Ebert was high. He didn't know where he was. He didn't sing complete songs. I should have read reviews for him for the last 3 years. It seems to be well known that people should be avoiding that act. They were late to stage, and that is the cardinal sin at Newport. They will never be invited again. And Alex Ebert is going to die soon of an overdose. Sad.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great as always.

    by fibab on 7/27/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    This was my 7th year attending with my daughter. It was outstanding once again! We'll certainly be back next year as well.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Newport Folk Festival what an amazing experience!!

    by TKTTJSL on 7/27/16Fort Adams State Park - Newport

    The Newport Folk Festival is unlike any other musical experience. Every serious music lover should go at least once. You never know exactly going in, what you will experience, trust that it will be special, magical and memorable!!!