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Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Decemberists To Play 50th Anniversary Newport Folk Festival

4/17/09, 1:03 pm EST

Photo: Stawiarz/Getty

For its 50th anniversary, the Newport Folk Festival has recruited two artists who took the stage at the inaugural 1959 event: Joan Baez and Pete Seeger. Newer acts like Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine, the Decemberists, Neko Case and Breaking artists the Low Anthem will also take part in “George Wein’s Folk Festival 50,” scheduled for July 31st-August 2nd at Newport’s Fort Adams State Park. Tickets go on sale May 6th.

“The whole concept of the folk festival is a reunion of the old people to celebrate 50 years of folk music in Newport — and to show how many young people are involved with folk music,” George Wein, who founded both the Folk Festival and the annual Newport Jazz Festival, told the AP. Wein indicated the recession threatened this year’s celebrations — their long-running sponsor JVC was forced pull its support — but he kept the concerts alive by bankrolling the shows himself. “This is my life. To me, it’s not business anymore I’m not doing this to make money,” Wein said. “I have to put on my festival. It has to be a quality event. It has to take care of the crowd.”

This year’s Jazz Festival, taking place the following weekend, will feature Tony Bennett, Etta James, the Dave Brubeck Quartet and many more. Full lineup is right here:

George Wein’s Folk Festival 50

Pete Seeger
The Decemberists
Arlo Guthrie
Fleet Foxes
Joan Baez
Neko Case
Judy Collins
Campbell Brothers
The Avett Brothers
Josh Ritter
Gillian Welch
Del McCoury
Iron & Wine
Tao Rodriguez Seeger
Balfa Toujours
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Tim Eriksen & Shape Note Singers
Langhorne Slim
Ben Kweller
Low Anthem

Daniel Kreps

More Festivals, General, Rock News


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Comments

\/\/ | 4/17/2009, 1:13 pm EST

Newport Folk = Better than Lunesta

Delroy | 4/17/2009, 6:44 pm EST

I was 17, Living in Diamond Hill, Rhode Island, in 1959. So as an almost life-long fan of Joan Baez and Pete Seeger, I cannot wait for “George Wein’s Folk Festival 50.”

Best lineup in recent memory? | 4/18/2009, 12:56 am EST

I think this beats the last few years. You have staples like Joan and Seeger and some of the finest newer folk acts like decemberists, fleet foxes, and low anthem. Joe Pug is unbelievable. He is not on this list but he is playing. He is pretty unknown but by then end of summer he will be the next big thing…

CR1ZZ | 4/18/2009, 7:51 pm EST

I think Arlo Guthrie and Joan Baez is the coolest thing about this list! I’ve heard many good things about the Decemberists and Fleet Foxes so this should be a good show by any reckoning. Wish these sort of artists would perform this sort of show in NZ, I know the ultimate outdoor venue.

CR1ZZ | 4/18/2009, 7:51 pm EST

I think Arlo Guthrie and Joan Baez is the coolest thing about this list! I’ve heard many good things about the Decemberists and Fleet Foxes so this should be a good show by any reckoning. Wish these sort of artists would perform this sort of show in NZ, I know the ultimate outdoor venue.

LCrockas | 4/19/2009, 4:27 am EST

Fleet Foxes in rhode island! Ohhhhhh yeah baby i’m there!

Hmmm | 4/21/2009, 6:33 pm EST

And where would one buy tickets for such an awesome event?

Clemar | 4/23/2009, 8:37 am EST

It is a calmer festival than lately; not sure how these artists will fare in a large venue; bet the crowds are down. The festival needs some revision; the crazy $$ for parking-”reserved seat” sections blocking the best lawn seating area–hope they get it together.

Jack the Bear | 4/23/2009, 7:15 pm EST

When the huge electric controversy occurred in the ’60’s with Dylan accompanied by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Pete Seeger tried to pull the plug, it would not have occurred to anyone that famous folk artist Tony Bennett would play the 50th. Irony is the fuel of humour and thought.

Nicole | 5/3/2009, 1:21 pm EST

I’m planning to buy my mother tickets for this event for mother’s day, since Joan has been her life-long idol as a singer and artist. I need to know who is playing on what day, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere… I’m assuming she’s playing on the Sunday since she’s one of the headliners?

skywalker | 5/4/2009, 10:02 am EST

Jack the Bear – Tony Bennett is playing the jazz fest, not the folk fest. Irony may be the fuel of humor and thought, but stupid is as stupid does.

Matt Arno | 5/6/2009, 10:30 am EST

B. Kweller. I’m so there.

triggleto magneto | 7/13/2009, 8:30 pm EST

…and, I see it’s going to be broadcast on the coolest station on the planet, mvyradio.

Dave | 7/21/2009, 3:51 pm EST

the festival’s main website (www.festival50.com) seems to have the best info on tickets, etc.

Anyone been to this festival in the past few years? Wondering what to expect and if it is worth making the trip…

jim-/warwick ri | 7/28/2009, 4:03 pm EST

deer tick (from Rhode Island)was also added to the Sunday line-up. They’ve been touring nationwide & are building a nice fan base. You should catch them.

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