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Post by straineryou on Jul 29, 2024 16:44:56 GMT -5
Great weekend. Highlights for me.
1. All things Noam Pikelny - Mighty Poplar brought the grass! I was also fortunate enough to see him shredding banjos with Giddens at “A Bluegrass Situation”
2. Killer Mike - just felt like a revival and he gave a hell of a “sermon”. it also sounded great and wasn’t plagued with Quad sound issues like Beck, Wednesday, De La Soul etc.
3. Sierra Farrell - Her music is phenomenal and the “Me and Bobby McGee” cover was my favorite of the weekend.
4. Petey - just seems like a genuine dude, loved his banter and stripped down set.
5. Hozier - Mavis! Joan! The melding of old and new, it felt like a Sunday closing set. See y’all July 24- 26th 2025?
ª MOLLY TUTTLE: I only caught a few songs but wished I had seen her whole set. Full of energy and fun, she covered "This Land is Your Land" and "Maggie’s Farm," even took off her wig to share a personal story about alapecia before singing a song about individuality and a crooked tree. Fantastic performance. • WEDNESDAY: Great show, though there were no real surprises if you know their latest album. Unfortunately, the sound mix was off; the slide guitar was inaudible, and the drums were too loud. The highlight was the final song where she cried/screamed was crazy powerful though. I read in an interview she doesn't really do that song live because it would kill her vocal chords. She freaking brought it at Newport though. • TBA, BECK: Beck mentioned multiple times that he hadn't rehearsed with his band, and it showed. Slightly, disappointing performance. • PETEY: His songs, mostly acoustic and stripped down, sounded great. His funny, droll monologues between songs added charm. Surprisingly, his cover of Peter, Paul and Mary was better than any of Beck’s covers. • SHOVELS AND ROPE: Pretty much favorite band, always amazing. They played a stripped-down set with just guitar and organ, but I missed the drums. Surprising to me that they don't do more collaborations at Newport despite their history of collaborative covers. The highlight of their set was a collaboration with Al Oleander. Never miss a chance to see these guys. • FINALE, HOZIER: Not a big fan initially, but he converted me. Charming, a great showman, with a tight, killer 8-piece band. • AFTERSHOW, CRAIGIE AND SLIM: Love those guys. Mde me fans. Brought out a cavalcade of stars, ending with Hayes Carll. Would have loved to see him somewhere else at the festival. He told us he just came down to experience the fest and was lucky enough to get in on the aftershow. Out of Jess Wolf of Lucius, Jobi Riccio, Tre Burt, the Ballroom Thieves, and other guests, the highlight was actually Steve Poltz who absolutely destroyed. Weird, loquacious, hilarious. Just somebody completely out of left field. Everybody just went nuts for him. --- Other Notes: • Friday had the perfect crowd size—never empty, not crowded. It was easy to find a good view of any stage, and lines were manageable except for the entry line. • The walkways around the fort were much easier to navigate than on previous visits. • Loved the new Harbor stage setup after a few years away. • Despite many complaints about the star power of the acts booked, just about every performer delivered and then some. The acts that most people wondered about, thinking they might not be a good fit because they were too out of left field or too unknown pre-festival — Friko, Bertha, Dropkick Murphys, Steve Poltz — seemed to end up being immediate festival favorites (ᶦⁿ ʲᵃʸ ʷᵉ ᵗʳᵘˢᵗ) --- .What didn't work: • The Foundation Stage visibility was poor unless you were right up front. Raising it would help those further back. • The Fort Stage had awkward standing areas. Not sure why people were sitting on chairs and blankets INSIDE the peremiter of the tent. So if you wouldn't to stand on the side, you had to stand behind them. But there were cable ramps behind them. Security kept shooing people off these ramps. Outside the tent, more chairs and blankets created a crowded, awkward space. I hate navigating blankets for standing room! A five-foot blanket-free zone around the Fort Stage for standing room only would improve the experience. • Kicking myself for not going for the whole fest. I won't make that mistake again.
Put the foundation stage down the hill, parallel with the bathrooms. That way it creates a natural mini amphitheater set up and would be better for sound check stumbled from the fort. Also keeps the crowd out of the walkway
Upcoming Shows: August 7: Green Day/Smashing Pumpkins/Rancid/The Linda Lindas August 30: Waxahatchee/Snail Mail/Tim Heidecker September 17: Pearl Jam/Glen Hansard September 24: Idles/English Teacher
OK, going to share what was my personal highlight of the fest outside of the great music.
I mentioned that I thought I saw Theo Katzman at a ramen bar on Friday night. Well this is how it went down.
First off, I am a big fan of Vulfpeck. Got really into them last year along with my 16 year old son. They were both of our top bands on Spotify last year. We ended up taking a daytrip to Brooklyn together last year to see them play live which was one of the highlights of the year for me. To be able share a great day walking around Brooklyn, eating great food and then seeing Vulfpeck live with your 16 year old son can't be beat.
So, on Friday after the fest, my wife and I go to a ramen bar to meet some friends. We are the first ones there and we have to wait for a seat... she goes to the restroom so I am standing alone by the hostess station and I look to my left. Sitting on the bench a few feet from me is a guy that looks like Theo Katzman with a woman. I am looking at him trying to figure out if it is him with a different haircut and the woman gets up and comes up to the hostess station to get some mints. She stands uncomfortably close to me... it isn't crowded, but she is like a foot from me and just staring at me while she reaches around me to get some mints. I awkwardly say something along the lines of "help yourself".
She says back to me "Do you come here often?"
I stammer.
She is toying with me and says "Do they call you the candyman"
I say "no."
And that is it. She goes back to Theo and they head out.
I am left bewildered. Wondering if it was really Theo Katzman and what the f... just happened. I tell my wife when she returns and she thinks I am ridiculous.
Well, it was Theo and I regretted not saying something to him.
Then, on Sunday during Conan, we weren't feeling it in the pit with the tall bro's who loved Conan so we walked out to the wellness tent. And... there was Theo. I approached him and told him my ridiculous story and he was super kind and told me that he would forever think of me as "the Candyman."
The best part of it all, is that now my 16 year old boy is going to think he has the coolest dad on earth. I just turned 50 this week and this is exactly what I needed.
Killer Mike: The most folk set of the weekend - going against the status quo by shaking up and expanding what is in the genre. His set mirrored more of a religious experience than a concert.
A Bluegrass Situation: Cheating by placing an afterparty here, but Ed Helms knows how to throw a party. High caliber guests spread out over nearly a two hour show. Highlight was definitely being surprised by how insanely talent Wyatt Ellis is.
Orville Peck: My third time catching him live and he continues to impress more and more. Nathaniel Rateliff showing up was the icing on the cake, but this guy was made to headline NFF one day.
MUNA: Totally surprised myself by purposefully avoiding listening and walked away a huge fan. Their energy was frenetic and joy to watch.
Friko: Sleeper set of the weekend - I heard Jay mention that this booking was one of his personal picks, and now I understand why. Energy never relented and the three folks onstage were immensely talented.
Hozier: As many have already said, we got a Sunday set on a Friday. Second time seeing Hozier in a month and this was totally different and refreshing. I’m glad he finally headlined the festival after years of cutting his teeth climbing the festival billing ladder.
BERTHA: The Grateful Dead is one of my favorite bands and man, these folks absolutely slayed the harbor stage while honoring some of the greatest songs ever written. Their messaging hit hard, and I hope Newport includes more drag queens in the future.
Conan O’Brien: Triumph the Insult Dog issues aside, Conan curated a great closing set. Wished for more Jack White, but this was an absolutely solid choice by Jay to be a cap on the weekend.
Reyna Tropical: Another artist I didn’t listen to too much before the festival, I was left mesmerized by their performance. Left me wishing Newport would book more Latin American musical artists.
Sierra Ferrell: A true star in the making, I think we’re all waiting for the day that she blows up to become a headlining act. Loved seeing Gillian Welch sit in and that cover of Me and Bobby McGee was the best cover of the weekend by far.
Post by timbobsnow on Jul 29, 2024 21:40:46 GMT -5
Another incredible weekend in the books, I love this festival.
Friday Sir Woman - Great opener, the band was tight. Billie Marten - Haven’t seen people talk about this one much, but I really enjoyed this set Wednesday/Allison Russell - I split these, would have loved to have seen full sets of both. Beck - I’m a huge Beck fan and was lucky enough to see him at Folk On in 21. I liked this, but it could have been a lot stronger, really wish he rehearsed with the band prior to jumping on stage. MUNA - I went in pretty blind on this one and loved it. Adrianne Lenker - This was my most anticipated set for Friday and it did not disappoint, she’s incredible. Was great to hear some new songs too. Hozier - Caught about half, thought it sounded great. Left early to beat the traffic, missed the last 3 songs.
Saturday Number One Babe - Didn’t really listen to them in advance but they were great. Linqua Franqa - Only heard some of this, but excellent energy and sound. Billy Bragg - Liked this set a lot more than I expected, he’s the real deal. Hermanos Gutierrez - A little samey for me, but I thought the portion with guests was tight. Rhiannon Giddens - She handled the mic issues like a champ and once everything kicked on, her and the band killed it. Loved seeing Taj and Joan up there. The War on Drugs - One of the louder bands on the Fort this weekend. Big fan of these guys, great to see they bring it live too. Gil & Dave - Favorite set of the weekend, blew my mind how good they are.
Sunday LA LOM - Loved this set, so much fun. Cunningham/Bird - Big fan of them both and it was great to see the first performance of the upcoming album. Sierra Ferrell - Thought she was great in 22, this one was even better. I about did a spit take at John C Reilly’s joke. Brittany Howard - Her and the band are so locked in, they destroyed. Though, I was surprised they stuck to essentially the same show I saw back in February but with less songs. Maybe she’s saving something special for Jazz instead? Conan - A classic Newport covers set, fun way to end the weekend.
I was bummed to miss De La, Tinariwen and New Dangerfield.
This was my 8th (I think) Newport Folk Fest. Not a single one of those 8 were anything less than great.
I will say though, it was bittersweet thinking this may be my last (for a while). As someone who travels for this festival, it’s just getting too cost prohibitive to attend with the pricing of hotels and airbnbs in the greater Newport/Middletown area. It’s not lost on me though that having found ways to attend this many times has already been an incredible luxury. (In recent years we’ve been able to convince family and friends to check out our musical oasis and split an Airbnb to save on costs. Previously, we have also been able to find at least one reasonable hotel at a much lower price. Shout out to the weekday version of Folk On in which we were able to book before the hotels updated their prices for the added dates!)
If this was my last year for a while, then it was a great way to end this meaningful chapter of my life.
Last Edit: Jul 29, 2024 22:49:48 GMT -5 by k2b - Back to Top
This was my 8th (I think) Newport Folk Fest. Not a single one of those 8 were anything less than great.
I will say though, it was bittersweet thinking this may be my last (for a while). As someone who travels for this festival, it’s just getting too cost prohibitive to attend with the pricing of hotels and airbnbs in the greater Newport/Middletown area. It’s not lost on me though that having found ways to attend this many times has already been an incredible luxury. (In recent years we’ve been able to convince family and friends to check out our musical oasis and split an Airbnb to save on costs. Previously, we have also been able to find at least one reasonable hotel at a much lower price. Shout out to the weekday version of Folk On in which we were able to book before the hotels updated their prices for the added dates!)
If this was my last year for a while, then it was a great way to end this meaningful chapter of my life.
This has been on my mind a lot too. Always used to find decently priced lodging if you booked early enough. Then it was if I started looking early enough and rolled up my sleeves I could eventually find something. The last couple years have been brutal and I'm not sure what the play is. Probably not a coincidence that it dovetails with Airbnb and VRBO getting shittier.
This was my 8th (I think) Newport Folk Fest. Not a single one of those 8 were anything less than great.
I will say though, it was bittersweet thinking this may be my last (for a while). As someone who travels for this festival, it’s just getting too cost prohibitive to attend with the pricing of hotels and airbnbs in the greater Newport/Middletown area. It’s not lost on me though that having found ways to attend this many times has already been an incredible luxury. (In recent years we’ve been able to convince family and friends to check out our musical oasis and split an Airbnb to save on costs. Previously, we have also been able to find at least one reasonable hotel at a much lower price. Shout out to the weekday version of Folk On in which we were able to book before the hotels updated their prices for the added dates!)
If this was my last year for a while, then it was a great way to end this meaningful chapter of my life.
This has been on my mind a lot too. Always used to find decently priced lodging if you booked early enough. Then it was if I started looking early enough and rolled up my sleeves I could eventually find something. The last couple years have been brutal and I'm not sure what the play is. Probably not a coincidence that it dovetails with Airbnb and VRBO getting shittier.
Nobody wants to over pay for lodging, I get it. But can you really blame those property owners trying to get the most they can for a rental?
Especially when many of these festival attendees are paying $24 for a lobster roll and $10 iced coffee?
Heck, the average trip to a food truck at this fest is probably 20.00 pp.
This has been on my mind a lot too. Always used to find decently priced lodging if you booked early enough. Then it was if I started looking early enough and rolled up my sleeves I could eventually find something. The last couple years have been brutal and I'm not sure what the play is. Probably not a coincidence that it dovetails with Airbnb and VRBO getting shittier.
Nobody wants to over pay for lodging, I get it. But can you really blame those property owners trying to get the most they can for a rental?
Especially when many of these festival attendees are paying $24 for a lobster roll and $10 iced coffee?
Heck, the average trip to a food truck at this fest is probably 20.00 pp.
"can you really blame those property owners trying to get the most they can for a rental?"
This has been on my mind a lot too. Always used to find decently priced lodging if you booked early enough. Then it was if I started looking early enough and rolled up my sleeves I could eventually find something. The last couple years have been brutal and I'm not sure what the play is. Probably not a coincidence that it dovetails with Airbnb and VRBO getting shittier.
Nobody wants to over pay for lodging, I get it. But can you really blame those property owners trying to get the most they can for a rental?
Especially when many of these festival attendees are paying $24 for a lobster roll and $10 iced coffee?
Heck, the average trip to a food truck at this fest is probably 20.00 pp. is
12.00 12oz beers and 14.00 16oz beers.
But you’re upset with certain salaries?
Can I blame the hotels? To some extent. It’s through their lobbying that it became a lot more difficult to run an Airbnb and VRBO in Newport. Since that law has passed, hotel prices have increased significantly. (Although that also coincides with the end of the pandemic and inflation more generally. And I’m also aware of the negative impact airbnbs can have on local housing affordability.) They also are happy to reduce supply just to keep prices high; most hotels had availability as of Thursday and Friday. It was just in their interest to keep the prices high and the rooms empty rather than to drop the prices to fill the rooms.
But ultimately, I’m not blaming anyone, and just stating a fact. That traveling to Newport has become too cost prohibitive for an annual trek. It’s become cheaper for me to take a trip to Europe than to attend Newport. Camping festivals offer cheaper accommodations. City festivals offer more hotels to pick from, and thus cheaper accommodations as well. Newport is in its own category as it’s not a (major) city festival and it doesn’t offer camping.
I still think it would be awesome if Newport could work with Regina Salve to offer dorms as a sort of hostel experience. Or find some land nearby and offer Newport sponsored camping accommodations (with shuttle service to and from the festival.) Or bring in some sort of boat as a floating, affordable hotel
Ultimately though, Newport is a luxury good. And so I don’t expect anything, and as I said earlier, already consider myself fortunate enough to have been able to attend this festival many times. But I think it would be in Newport Folk’s interest in an attempt to diversify the audience, to find more ways around the cost prohibition of running a festival in Newport.
Last Edit: Jul 30, 2024 10:20:23 GMT -5 by k2b - Back to Top
Nobody wants to over pay for lodging, I get it. But can you really blame those property owners trying to get the most they can for a rental?
Especially when many of these festival attendees are paying $24 for a lobster roll and $10 iced coffee?
Heck, the average trip to a food truck at this fest is probably 20.00 pp. is
12.00 12oz beers and 14.00 16oz beers.
But you’re upset with certain salaries?
Can I blame the hotels? To some extent. It’s through their lobbying that it became a lot more difficult to run an Airbnb and VRBO in Newport. Since that law has passed, prices have increased significantly. (Although that also coincides with the end of the pandemic and inflation more generally.) They also are happy to reduce supply just to keep prices high; most hotels had availability as of Thursday and Friday. It was just in their interest to keep the prices high and the rooms empty rather than to drop the prices to fill the rooms.
But ultimately, I’m not blaming anyone, and just stating a fact. That traveling to Newport has become too cost prohibitive for an annual trek. It’s become cheaper for me to take a trip to Europe than to attend Newport. Camping festivals offer cheaper accommodations. City festivals offer more hotels to pick from, and thus cheaper accommodations as well. Newport is in its own category as it’s not a (major) city festival and it doesn’t offer camping.
I still think it would be awesome if Newport could work with Regina Salve to offer dorms as a sort of hostel experience. Or find some land nearby and offer Newport sponsored camping accommodations (with shuttle service to and from the festival.) Or bring in some sort of boat as a floating, affordable hotel
The whole thing is getting out of hand. I don’t want to pay crazy prices for lodging, but I’m not surprised is all. Everyone that can make money for these 2 weekends, is doing it. That’s what I’m trying to say.
It’s not a big surprise when this festival is going to happen. So of course these places are going to keep the rates high for these weekends every year. Even before it’s announced.
Nobody wants to over pay for lodging, I get it. But can you really blame those property owners trying to get the most they can for a rental?
Especially when many of these festival attendees are paying $24 for a lobster roll and $10 iced coffee?
Heck, the average trip to a food truck at this fest is probably 20.00 pp. is
12.00 12oz beers and 14.00 16oz beers.
But you’re upset with certain salaries?
Can I blame the hotels? To some extent. It’s through their lobbying that it became a lot more difficult to run an Airbnb and VRBO in Newport. Since that law has passed, hotel prices have increased significantly. (Although that also coincides with the end of the pandemic and inflation more generally. And I’m also aware of the negative impact airbnbs can have on local housing affordability.) They also are happy to reduce supply just to keep prices high; most hotels had availability as of Thursday and Friday. It was just in their interest to keep the prices high and the rooms empty rather than to drop the prices to fill the rooms.
But ultimately, I’m not blaming anyone, and just stating a fact. That traveling to Newport has become too cost prohibitive for an annual trek. It’s become cheaper for me to take a trip to Europe than to attend Newport. Camping festivals offer cheaper accommodations. City festivals offer more hotels to pick from, and thus cheaper accommodations as well. Newport is in its own category as it’s not a (major) city festival and it doesn’t offer camping.
I still think it would be awesome if Newport could work with Regina Salve to offer dorms as a sort of hostel experience. Or find some land nearby and offer Newport sponsored camping accommodations (with shuttle service to and from the festival.) Or bring in some sort of boat as a floating, affordable hotel
Ultimately though, Newport is a luxury good. And so I don’t expect anything, and as I said earlier, already consider myself fortunate enough to have been able to attend this festival many times. But I think it would be in Newport Folk’s interest in an attempt to diversify the audience, to find more ways around the cost prohibition of running a festival in Newport.
Better camping options would certainly be nice. Not many options out that way.
This has been on my mind a lot too. Always used to find decently priced lodging if you booked early enough. Then it was if I started looking early enough and rolled up my sleeves I could eventually find something. The last couple years have been brutal and I'm not sure what the play is. Probably not a coincidence that it dovetails with Airbnb and VRBO getting shittier.
Nobody wants to over pay for lodging, I get it. But can you really blame those property owners trying to get the most they can for a rental?
Especially when many of these festival attendees are paying $24 for a lobster roll and $10 iced coffee?
Heck, the average trip to a food truck at this fest is probably 20.00 pp.
12.00 12oz beers and 14.00 16oz beers.
Not at all on the pricing but definitely on some of the practices I've run into the last 5 years:
- One Airbnb we had booked 6 years in a row cancelled on us in April saying they were closing for renovations. Place was listed at a higher rate a month later. - VRBO cancelled on me saying pricing wasn't right and relisted higher. VRBO wouldn't do anything. - B&B I booked early with insisted I didn't have a reservation and tried to charge me a higher rate. Fought with them for a month sending receipts and emails before they relented. Then spent another 2 months fighting them as they emailed me various service fees that they wanted to add.
I'm sure there are lots of technical reasons why reservations go live before they can adjust for season or events but not my problem. Now I hold my breath and prepare for a fight if I find a deal.
Nobody wants to over pay for lodging, I get it. But can you really blame those property owners trying to get the most they can for a rental?
Especially when many of these festival attendees are paying $24 for a lobster roll and $10 iced coffee?
Heck, the average trip to a food truck at this fest is probably 20.00 pp.
12.00 12oz beers and 14.00 16oz beers.
Not at all on the pricing but definitely on some of the practices I've run into the last 5 years:
- One Airbnb we had booked 6 years in a row cancelled on us in April saying they were closing for renovations. Place was listed at a higher rate a month later. - VRBO cancelled on me saying pricing wasn't right and relisted higher. VRBO wouldn't do anything. - B&B I booked early with insisted I didn't have a reservation and tried to charge me a higher rate. Fought with them for a month sending receipts and emails before they relented. Then spent another 2 months fighting them as they emailed me various service fees that they wanted to add.
I'm sure there are lots of technical reasons why reservations go live before they can adjust for season or events but not my problem. Now I hold my breath and prepare for a fight if I find a deal.
Not at all on the pricing but definitely on some of the practices I've run into the last 5 years:
- One Airbnb we had booked 6 years in a row cancelled on us in April saying they were closing for renovations. Place was listed at a higher rate a month later. - VRBO cancelled on me saying pricing wasn't right and relisted higher. VRBO wouldn't do anything. - B&B I booked early with insisted I didn't have a reservation and tried to charge me a higher rate. Fought with them for a month sending receipts and emails before they relented. Then spent another 2 months fighting them as they emailed me various service fees that they wanted to add.
I'm sure there are lots of technical reasons why reservations go live before they can adjust for season or events but not my problem. Now I hold my breath and prepare for a fight if I find a deal.
Yeah that certainly seems shady.
There have been other minor to moderate annoyances but those were the most egregious. Basically the last 5ish years it's been either empty your bank account or prepare to go 12 rounds.
So are we placing bets on the over/under how many people on this forum will be happier with next years lineup vs this years?
Personally I thought this years headliners were much better than last years. However I preferred the non-headliners from last year. Either way it’s a great time, already excited to see who they book next year.
Post by straineryou on Jul 30, 2024 19:35:14 GMT -5
I’m a bit worried the festival is leaning into the higher tax brackets. They are happy to sell gull & stars packages for $1.5K and allow a hotel to sell outrageous weekend packages that include tickets (I’m assuming they secured those tickets via the foundation right?)
I’m a bit worried the festival is leaning into the higher tax brackets. They are happy to sell gull & stars packages for $1.5K and allow a hotel to sell outrageous weekend packages that include tickets (I’m assuming they secured those tickets via the foundation right?)
Fest definitely gave them those tickets. They’re listed as a partner on the Newp site.
This was my 8th (I think) Newport Folk Fest. Not a single one of those 8 were anything less than great.
I will say though, it was bittersweet thinking this may be my last (for a while). As someone who travels for this festival, it’s just getting too cost prohibitive to attend with the pricing of hotels and airbnbs in the greater Newport/Middletown area. It’s not lost on me though that having found ways to attend this many times has already been an incredible luxury. (In recent years we’ve been able to convince family and friends to check out our musical oasis and split an Airbnb to save on costs. Previously, we have also been able to find at least one reasonable hotel at a much lower price. Shout out to the weekday version of Folk On in which we were able to book before the hotels updated their prices for the added dates!)
If this was my last year for a while, then it was a great way to end this meaningful chapter of my life.
If you're renting a car anyway, you might be better off staying in a hotel closer to Providence and just commuting. Or SE Mass. I would assume its noticeably cheaper than on Aquidneck.
Post by Larry Farnsworth on Jul 30, 2024 20:25:31 GMT -5
the bigger issue is that a lot of rentals only do weekly stays - so there are fewer places available for just the weekend, if that's what you're coming in for.
if you're looking for cheaper/shorter stays, North Kingston is a good bet.
I’m a bit worried the festival is leaning into the higher tax brackets. They are happy to sell gull & stars packages for $1.5K and allow a hotel to sell outrageous weekend packages that include tickets (I’m assuming they secured those tickets via the foundation right?)
You need to get creative when you're dealing with crazy demand and can't do anything about supply. It would be so easy for them to just juice 3 day passes across the board and they don't.
Post by Vinnie the Eel on Jul 31, 2024 7:23:43 GMT -5
North Kingstown is an easy drive and you can find very affordable stays. If you venture a bit further out, you can defer a bunch of those costs. Just have to be creative.
Can I blame the hotels? To some extent. It’s through their lobbying that it became a lot more difficult to run an Airbnb and VRBO in Newport. Since that law has passed, hotel prices have increased significantly. (Although that also coincides with the end of the pandemic and inflation more generally. And I’m also aware of the negative impact airbnbs can have on local housing affordability.) They also are happy to reduce supply just to keep prices high; most hotels had availability as of Thursday and Friday. It was just in their interest to keep the prices high and the rooms empty rather than to drop the prices to fill the rooms.
But ultimately, I’m not blaming anyone, and just stating a fact. That traveling to Newport has become too cost prohibitive for an annual trek. It’s become cheaper for me to take a trip to Europe than to attend Newport. Camping festivals offer cheaper accommodations. City festivals offer more hotels to pick from, and thus cheaper accommodations as well. Newport is in its own category as it’s not a (major) city festival and it doesn’t offer camping.
I still think it would be awesome if Newport could work with Regina Salve to offer dorms as a sort of hostel experience. Or find some land nearby and offer Newport sponsored camping accommodations (with shuttle service to and from the festival.) Or bring in some sort of boat as a floating, affordable hotel
Ultimately though, Newport is a luxury good. And so I don’t expect anything, and as I said earlier, already consider myself fortunate enough to have been able to attend this festival many times. But I think it would be in Newport Folk’s interest in an attempt to diversify the audience, to find more ways around the cost prohibition of running a festival in Newport.
Better camping options would certainly be nice. Not many options out that way.
Melville Ponds used to be such a great option, but now it is as expensive as the cheaper airbnbs in the area. Another greed/inflation situation that is a real bummer.
North Kingstown is an easy drive and you can find very affordable stays. If you venture a bit further out, you can defer a bunch of those costs. Just have to be creative.
We stayed in Bristol last year. Definitely not cheap but once you're off Aquidneck the price drops significantly.
Killer Mike: The most folk set of the weekend - going against the status quo by shaking up and expanding what is in the genre. His set mirrored more of a religious experience than a concert.
A Bluegrass Situation: Cheating by placing an afterparty here, but Ed Helms knows how to throw a party. High caliber guests spread out over nearly a two hour show. Highlight was definitely being surprised by how insanely talent Wyatt Ellis is.
Orville Peck: My third time catching him live and he continues to impress more and more. Nathaniel Rateliff showing up was the icing on the cake, but this guy was made to headline NFF one day.
MUNA: Totally surprised myself by purposefully avoiding listening and walked away a huge fan. Their energy was frenetic and joy to watch.
Friko: Sleeper set of the weekend - I heard Jay mention that this booking was one of his personal picks, and now I understand why. Energy never relented and the three folks onstage were immensely talented.
Hozier: As many have already said, we got a Sunday set on a Friday. Second time seeing Hozier in a month and this was totally different and refreshing. I’m glad he finally headlined the festival after years of cutting his teeth climbing the festival billing ladder.
BERTHA: The Grateful Dead is one of my favorite bands and man, these folks absolutely slayed the harbor stage while honoring some of the greatest songs ever written. Their messaging hit hard, and I hope Newport includes more drag queens in the future.
Conan O’Brien: Triumph the Insult Dog issues aside, Conan curated a great closing set. Wished for more Jack White, but this was an absolutely solid choice by Jay to be a cap on the weekend.
Reyna Tropical: Another artist I didn’t listen to too much before the festival, I was left mesmerized by their performance. Left me wishing Newport would book more Latin American musical artists.
Sierra Ferrell: A true star in the making, I think we’re all waiting for the day that she blows up to become a headlining act. Loved seeing Gillian Welch sit in and that cover of Me and Bobby McGee was the best cover of the weekend by far.
As I watched Sierra Ferrell set I thought, next time she back, she’s headlining, and it’ll be in less than 5 years
