NEWPORT FOLK FEST DAY 3
Newport Folk Fest Day 3, Newport, RI. 7/26/26
Day 3: Sunday
After two incredible days, it was time for the final day of Newport Folk Festival, and the weekend closed with another unforgettable lineup.
California soul artist Chris Pierce opened the Foundation Stage with an impressive performance. During his song "Tulsa Town," he held the final note for what seemed like an eternity, leaving the audience in awe. He followed it with "Chain Gang Fourth of July," a song about wage theft that resonated deeply with the Newport crowd.
Seattle's Brittany Davis took the Harbor Stage and immediately connected with the audience. "I'm big, Black, and I'm blind, so if I can't hear you, then I can't see you, so you better cheer loud," she joked. The crowd responded with a roar of applause and words of encouragement. Her performance of "All You Get" showcased her incredible vocal range, and each soaring note was met with another wave of cheers.
Providence native Mark Cutler opened the Main Stage with an intimate acoustic set. One standout was "I'm a Paycheck Away From Living on the Street," before he wrapped up by smiling and telling the audience, "I'll see you around."
Back at the Foundation Stage, Operation Encore featured former combat medic Stephen Covell, who joked that he had never seen so many people lined up to watch him perform. His lighthearted humor made for a memorable introduction before his heartfelt set.
Bootgaze artist Clover County brought a unique sound to the Harbor Stage, with singer A.G. Schiano impressing the audience through an incredible vocal range as fans gently swayed along throughout the performance.
Irish indie-folk artist Dove Ellis captivated a packed audience on the Quad Stage with a beautiful and intimate set that highlighted his songwriting.
Philadelphia favorites Snacktime brought one of the weekend's liveliest parties to the Fort Stage. Fans sporting Snacktime jerseys filled the crowd, and someone welcomed the band with a loud "Go Birds!" that immediately let them know Philadelphia was well represented. The band surprised fans by bringing out Trousdale early in the set before later welcoming Devon Gilfillian for another outstanding collaboration.
Not wanting to miss the Bike Stage, I caught Sally Rose, who invited Jake Cochran from Illiterate Light to join her during the performance. It was another reminder of the collaborative spirit that makes Newport Folk Festival so unique.
Back at the Fort Stage, CMAT delivered one of the strongest performances of the entire weekend. The Irish singer-songwriter, whose popularity continues to skyrocket, commanded the stage with endless energy, running from one side to the other while constantly engaging with the audience. The biggest moment came during her hit "Take a Sexy Picture of Me," as nearly everyone in attendance sang along word for word.
The Bike Stage continued to showcase emerging talent with Iraqi American shoegaze artist Nabeel from Richmond, Virginia, adding another distinctive sound to the day's lineup.
The highlight of the weekend for me came on the Quad Stage, where Tom Morello delivered an unforgettable performance. His son, Roman Morello, joined him on guitar for portions of the set, showing flashes of the same explosive playing style that made his father famous.
In honor of Newport Folk Festival, Morello led the crowd in a singalong of "This Land Is Your Land." He then paid tribute to his late activist mother, Mary Morello, with a heartfelt rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "The Ghost of Tom Joad." Another emotional moment followed as he honored the late Chris Cornell, leaving the center microphone empty while performing one of Cornell's songs before pointing skyward at its conclusion.
Morello then showed off his trademark sense of humor by telling the audience they had uncovered a long-lost Bob Dylan song before launching into Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name." Thousands of fans enthusiastically shouted every word of the iconic chorus, creating one of the loudest singalongs of the weekend. He closed his set by asking everyone to raise their fists and jump along to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Power to the People," bringing the crowd together in a powerful finale.
Brandi Carlile followed on the Fort Stage with a performance worthy of her superstar status. Her soaring vocals, blistering guitar solos, and magnetic stage presence made for another unforgettable set.
The festival concluded with Nathaniel Rateliff & Friends, and the surprises started almost immediately. Nathaniel welcomed Dave Matthews to the stage, who told the audience he had wanted to perform at Newport Folk Festival for decades and finally found a way to "sneak in."
One of the evening's highlights was Matthews performing "Gravedigger," one of my favorite Dave Matthews Band songs, before Brandi Carlile returned to join him for a beautiful duet. After thanking the audience, Matthews welcomed Nathaniel Rateliff back to continue the set.
For the grand finale, the stage filled with legends as Mavis Staples and Joan Baez joined the band for a moving performance of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." It was the perfect ending to a weekend filled with unforgettable collaborations, incredible performances, and the unique sense of community that defines Newport Folk Festival.
As this was my first Newport Folk Festival, I finally understood what so many people had been telling me for years. Newport is more than just a music festival; it's a celebration of community, collaboration, and musical discovery. I already find myself hoping to return next year to experience whatever unforgettable moments await.
Shot and Written by Jonah van Bemmelen.
