Newport Folk Festival 2025: 10 Best Moments That Defined This Year’s Unforgettable Celebration…see more…
The Newport Folk Festival has long stood as a beacon for music lovers seeking authenticity, history, and a sense of community that few events can replicate. In 2025, the iconic festival once again delivered on its promise, bringing together a mosaic of legendary performers, surprise guests, emerging artists, and unforgettable collaborations. Held at Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island, this year’s edition reminded everyone why Newport remains one of the most cherished festivals in American music history. Here are the 10 best things we saw over the course of the weekend.
1. Joni Mitchell’s Return (Again)
Last year’s historic return by Joni Mitchell felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment. But in 2025, she surprised fans once more, stepping onto the Fort Stage with quiet confidence. Backed by Brandi Carlile and a group of longtime collaborators, Mitchell offered stripped-down versions of classics like “Both Sides Now” and “A Case of You.” Her voice, rich with age and wisdom, cast a spell on the crowd. The standing ovation lasted nearly five minutes.
2. Surprise Duet: Kacey Musgraves and James Taylor
One of Newport’s trademarks is unexpected collaborations—and this year did not disappoint. Country-pop star Kacey Musgraves joined folk icon James Taylor for a tender rendition of “Carolina in My Mind.” Their harmonies blended effortlessly, creating a generational bridge that brought cheers and a few tears to the audience. They followed it up with Musgraves’ “Rainbow,” with Taylor on acoustic guitar.
3. Billy Strings Electrifies With Bluegrass Thunder
Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings brought an electric energy to the festival with a headlining set that turned the lawn into a dancing field. Blending traditional bluegrass with psychedelic improvisation, Strings and his band took songs like “Meet Me at the Creek” to exhilarating heights. His three-song encore, featuring a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “China Doll,” was a clear nod to Newport’s open-minded musical heritage.
4. The Black Opry Revue’s Powerful Showcase
The Black Opry Revue returned with a powerful midday set that spotlighted the voices of Black country and folk artists. Performers like Roberta Lea, Lizzie No, and Aaron Vance took the stage with messages of identity, belonging, and musical roots. The audience responded with heartfelt applause, recognizing the growing movement to diversify American roots music.
5. Tyler Childers’ Healing Set
Tyler Childers closed Saturday night with a soul-stirring performance that felt both spiritual and communal. Opening with “All Your’n” and transitioning into deeper cuts from his latest album Songs of Surrender, Childers invited the crowd to “leave your burdens here.” By the time he finished with “Angel Band,” the audience stood united, singing along as the harbor lights twinkled behind the stage.
6. The Return of Bonny Light Horseman
Folk supergroup Bonny Light Horseman—featuring Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson, and Josh Kaufman—returned to Newport with new material that blended ancient ballads and modern poetry. Their set on the Quad Stage was ethereal and intimate, with standout moments like “California” and the haunting “Green Rocky Road.” The trio’s synergy remains unmatched in the modern folk scene.
7. Surprise Tribute to John Prine
Saturday afternoon brought a moving, unannounced tribute to the late John Prine. Artists including Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Devon Gilfillian took turns singing Prine’s most beloved songs. When Carlile re-emerged to sing “Hello in There,” fans old and new swayed arm in arm. Prine’s legacy continues to resonate powerfully across generations of performers.
8. Indigo De Souza Captivates a New Generation
Indigo De Souza delivered one of the festival’s breakout sets with her raw, emotional songwriting and genre-defying sound. Songs like “Younger & Dumber” and “Wasting Your Time” connected deeply with younger fans, while older attendees praised her fearless vulnerability. Her presence at Newport felt like a handoff to a new era of folk experimentation.
9. Family Folk Hour: A Cross-Generational Jam
Sunday morning’s Family Folk Hour brought together artists and their children for a joyful, relaxed jam session. Taj Mahal played harmonica alongside his granddaughter, while The Milk Carton Kids led singalongs with young attendees. It was a wholesome reminder of the festival’s enduring family-friendly ethos and how music truly spans generations.
10. Brandi Carlile Closes With a Newport Anthem
No modern Newport Folk Festival would feel complete without Brandi Carlile. This year, she closed the weekend with a solo acoustic set that featured fan favorites, rare covers, and heartfelt stories about past Newport moments. But it was her debut of a new song, written specifically for the festival and titled “At the Fort,” that brought the crowd to a hush. It was a love letter to the spirit of Newport—its traditions, evolution, and magic.
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The Magic of Newport Lives On
In a world full of overproduced concerts and massive commercial music festivals, Newport Folk Festival remains defiantly human. The 2025 edition was about more than just the music—it was about community, shared history, and emotional connection. Whether it was a child dancing barefoot near the stage, an elder revisiting memories of Dylan’s historic 1965 appearance, or a teen hearing Joan Baez’s legacy in new voices, this year’s festival bridged generations with grace.
As the final chords echoed across the Narragansett Bay and fans folded up their lawn chairs, one truth rang clear: at Newport, the folk tradition isn’t just preserved—it’s alive and evolving. And as long as this festival continues, so too will the songs, stories, and spirit tha
t make it an American musical treasure.
