Every year, the Newport lineup is so stacked and first-timers think they might actually see all of those amazing acts. Then, the schedule is announced and you see that you have some tough choices to make. So, we thought we’d help, because sometimes when you’re having a hard time deciding between good and good, a sympathetic friend can step up and say: “do this,” and it’s a heckuva gift. So, consider this a gift to all you conflicted folk family.

First, some principles that have helped us have some really transformative experiences at Newport:

1. Stay present. It can be easy to hear about something you missed and feel regret. Try to stay connected to what you are experiencing, rather than thinking about what is happening somewhere else.
2. Less is more. Set hopping is kind of fun, hearing a few songs here, a few songs there. But there is something to be said for staying for an entire set and really listening to a smaller number of artists. Do what makes you happy, but depth over breadth has never steered us wrong.
3. Small is special. The Museum Stage is where it’s at. In 2015, we heard Margo Price, John Moreland, and Aaron Lee Tasjan there. Last year, we caught Shovels & Rope, Hayes Carll, and Kris Kristofferson. A few years ago, Christopher Paul Stelling played the open mic. The Family Tent is a blast too and is a nice bit of shade – just make sure you make room for, you know, kids.
4. You can’t spell ‘Newport’ without n-e-w. If you are trying to decide between an artist you have seen before and one you are curious about, go with the new one. There is nothing like finding a new voice and leaving a festival with an artist’s catalogue to explore. It can really sustain you over those twelve lonely months until next year’s NFF.
5. Unannounced = awesome. A lot of really amazing things that happen in the Museum aren’t advertised. There is a ton of speculation about that 1:45 pm “Unannounced” Sunday slot on the Harbor Stage. You have to just trust that the people running this festival know what they’re doing. You already do, because you probably purchased your tickets before a single act was announced. So just keep that spirit with you and be pleasantly surprised.

OK, all that said, here are some recommendations for each day, while acknowledging that making recommendations in this lineup is stupid. But this might help you find someone new or think about how you spend your time. Here goes:

Friday: Aaron Lee Tasjan has been one of our favorites for a long time; Seratones will knock your socks off; LA Salami is new to us, and we’ve loved what we’ve heard; Joe Purdy might be your next favorite songwriter; Hurray for The Riff Raff’s album The Navigator is brilliant and it will be great to hear them on the Fort Stage; Brent Cobb is the real deal in country music (you know, the country music that people talk about saving from people who play pop country music–that country music); Ryan Montbleau’s album I Was Just Leaving is one of our favorites of 2017 and he’ll be mixing it up in the Beantown Throwdown. Shovels & Rope have become mainstays at Newport and we’d love to know who might hop on stage with them for that set.

Saturday: Grandma’s Hands Band is one of the more exciting aspects of this year’s festival. If you have been following social media about this, you know what it is. If not, go catch Chicano Batman and boogie and then hang out for some only-at-Newport awesomeness. Jalen N’Gonda’s voice is incredible and he’ll be special to catch on the Harbor stage. Mandolin Orange’s last record Blindfaller is still in heavy rotation and the band is so damn good right now. Robert Ellis was born to play music live. Christopher Paul Stelling is playing the Museum and when he’s on stage, he is a man possessed. Kitty Amaral is fourteen years old–remember that Chris Thile released his first album around that age; and she’s playing with Butch Robbins who was in Bill Monroe’s band. The Working Songwriter has been our new favorite podcast and to hear those conversations live would be pretty sweet. The Avett Brothers don’t put on a bad show, they just don’t, but because Jim James solo is pretty special, this might be a time to go that way. If you only hear Nels Cline’s “Impossible Germany” solo, the Wilco set will be worth it, and their Newport sets are always special.  

Sunday: Preservation Hall Jazz Band is pure joy. CW Stoneking plays traditional blues music without being nostalgic. Julian Lage and then Noam Pikelny in the Museum is sure to be a highlight. Will Chris Eldridge join Lage and Pikelny? That would be cool. In one of the better ‘no bad choices’ moments, you can be blown away by Pinegrove or be blown away by Margaret Glaspy. Rhiannon Giddens is just phenomenal. American Acoustic (Punch Brothers + I’m With Her) is a guarantee for gorgeousness. John Prine is John Prine and we anticipate a steady stream of guests for that set, because everyone knows every John Prine song.

Here is a playlist of the artists we’ve highlighted in this preview:

Have fun, friends. Folk on!