Ms. Lauryn Hill, Hot Tuna, and more kick off Newport Folk Festival

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 27, 2026

The Newport Folk Festival opened at Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island, featuring performances from headliners like Courtney Barnett, Hayley Williams, and Lauryn Hill alongside emerging artists and tribute acts. The event highlighted the genre's ongoing evolution by blending traditional folk influences with contemporary sounds and fostering collaborations that honor folk music’s heritage.

The Newport Folk Festival kicked off Friday at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island, showcasing a diverse array of artists across multiple stages and drawing a strong crowd to the waterfront venue overlooking Narragansett Bay. The event featured a mix of established acts and newcomers, reflecting the broad spectrum of contemporary folk music.

Australia’s Courtney Barnett, indie singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus, and Paramore’s Hayley Williams were among the headliners performing on the main stage. Each artist brought a distinct interpretation of folk, blending traditional elements with modern influences. Williams, marking her second official appearance at Newport, was joined on stage by several guests including Dacus, Joy Oladokun, Remi Wolf, and Jack Antonoff. During her set, Williams performed material from her 2025 solo album, including the socially reflective track “True Believer,” and wrapped up with Bill Withers’s “Lean on Me,” culminating in a group singalong.

Elsewhere on the grounds, the Quad stage offered performances by Brother Wallace and the Rhode Island-based band Deer Tick. The mid-size harbor stage featured Hot Tuna, the psychedelic blues group led by long-time members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, making their Newport debut. The band opened with the traditional “Hesitation Blues,” a nod to their late arrival on the festival’s roster.

One of the day’s most anticipated appearances was by Lauryn Hill, who performed a short acoustic set featuring songs from her 2002 album “MTV Unplugged No. 2.0.” Her set began after a 30-minute delay during which a DJ entertained the audience, prompting some impatience among fans and fellow musicians alike. Hill’s brief performance included “Mr. Intentional” and “Adam Lives in Theory,” though it ended without any additional time added for the delay.

The festival also included notable tributes and collaborations underscoring the continuity and influence of folk music. Irish folk band Amble performed a cover of the late John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery,” highlighting his enduring impact on the genre. Lucy Dacus invited Brandon Flowers of The Killers for a duet on Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle,” while an R.E.M. tribute band featuring actor Michael Shannon and Wilco bassist John Stirratt focused on early material by the band.

Emerging artists such as Berklee graduates Tiny Habits paid homage to their Boston roots, and Birmingham’s Taylor Hollingsworth engaged the crowd with an intimate set that included a family collaboration on his award-winning song “Ring of Saturn.” Oregon’s Haley Heynderickx also performed on the harbor stage alongside Max García Conover, showcasing their recent album inspired by Woody Guthrie’s legacy.

Festival attendees displayed their musical loyalties with t-shirts bearing slogans honoring icons like Neil Young and John Prine, reflecting the deep connection between fans and the folk tradition. The vibrant first day underscored Newport Folk Festival’s reputation as a gathering place for both the preservation and evolution of folk music, combining legacy acts with fresh voices in a scenic setting.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.