Episodes
It's not often you find a band with three lead singers who each sound as impressive on their own as they do together.
Published 08/22/18
Brandi Carlile's Newport set was a pure celebration, as if she soaked up all that sunshine and love and poured it back over the crowd.
Published 08/15/18
A power trio of an entirely different kind, the Houston band led a journey through globally-influenced funk, jazz, surf and psych-rock — before creating a live, instrumental hip-hop mixtape.
Published 08/10/18
The Nashville-by-way-of-Brooklyn band repeatedly took the Newport audience from joyful, foot-stomping singalongs, to a rapturous hush.
Published 08/08/18
Darlingside's dark songs are full of light, illuminated by voices that come from on high.
Published 08/06/18
The jazz duo opened its set with "Heaven Right Here," one of the early '90s tunes that had Tuck and Patti on the charts and all over jazz radio.
Published 08/02/18
Lucius' fifth appearance at Newport saw the group outdo itself, with choreography, a tribute to Richard Swift and many, many friends.
Published 07/31/18
"If you came to this set looking to be cheered up, you're screwed," White deadpanned from the stage. His music can give goosebumps, even on a sunny summer day; hear his set at Newport now.
Published 08/15/17
The folk-rock singer from Australia's Blue Mountains makes music that confronts all the anxieties a 20-something feels about getting older. Hear songs from her debut album, Don't Let The Kids Win.
Published 08/15/17
The Portland trio, composed of sisters Natalie, Meegan and Allison Closner, makes music that invites its audience to share in its bond of sisterhood. Hear Joseph's set at Newport Folk now.
Published 08/14/17
The band kept up a keen-edged commentary on xenophobia, censorship and racism throughout its set of gritty Southern rock. Hear its set now.
Published 08/12/17
Hear the band play its tender songs about home, friendship and growing up, live at Newport Folk.
Published 08/11/17
The folk-rock singer performed songs from her acclaimed debut album — plus some new tracks — at Newport.
Published 08/09/17
Though he was new to many in the audience, the New Zealander's lonesome set was the one festival goers were talking about for the rest of the weekend. Hear it now.
Published 08/07/17
Hear one of Americana's most influential songwriters perform some of his timeless tunes alongside special guests Margo Price, Roger Waters, Justin Vernon and more.
Published 08/04/17
The rising indie-rock band performed some new, unreleased songs during its Newport set.
Published 08/04/17
The Georgia-born roots musician's songs tell detailed, easy-paced stories of family and close friends. Hear his Newport Folk set, with special guest Jade Bird.
Published 08/02/17
The charismatic husband-and-wife duo returned to Newport after a three-year hiatus.
Published 08/01/17
Mackenzie Howe, Sharon Silva and Kinsey Lee's set at Newport Folk was assured and robust, a testament to potent voices made more powerful when united.
Published 07/31/17
"I'm ready for the world," Alynda Lee Segarra sings in the chorus of the rousing "Hungry Ghost" — and her band's set told that simple truth again and again. In the past seven or eight years, Hurray For The Riff Raff has blossomed slowly but fully, transforming its sound from intense-but-delicate one-woman bedroom recordings to the rip-roaring full-band jams that dominated the group's set at Stubb's BBQ in Austin, Texas. Setlist: 1. Life To Save 2. Nothing's Gonna Change That Girl 3. Hungry...
Published 03/30/17
If you've only heard Lizzo's hit "Good As Hell" you might think the Twin Cities singer is a funny and ingratiating but fairly straightforward purveyor of self-affirmation and charismatic confidence. But as her joyful and explosive live show unfolded, complete with the arrival of the ecstatic backup dancers she calls "The Big Girls," it became clear that Lizzo has something more powerful going on: 1. Worship, 2. Phone, 3. Bam Bam, 4. Deep, 5. Drone Bomb Me, 6. Easy Easy, 7. 'Scuse Me, 8....
Published 03/28/17
When PWR BTTM takes the stage, it doesn't take long to figure out what you're going to get. From the first glitter-smeared seconds of the set-opening "Silly," the band came to shred and swagger with infectious joy, complete with backbends and solos and spangly outfits — at least one of which wouldn't survive the band's set at Stubb's BBQ in Austin, Texas, recorded live for NPR Music on March 15, 20217.
Published 03/27/17
Hear the country singer blaze through a set that demonstrates she's forging her own path.
Published 08/09/16
Baker's ragged-edged voice and ringing Telecaster were all it took to win over the Newport audience.
Published 08/03/16