Every year I am lucky enough to attend Newport Folk Festival, and I have attended six, there’s a moment where the music takes on a full sensory experience. Time stops. When Gregory Alan Isakov took the Quad Stage, that moment occurred. Gregory Alan Isakov and his band including banjo, fiddle, keys, and percussion. Isakov’s new album “Appaloosa Bones” features vintage sounding tracks to add to Isakov’s catalog. Opener “San Luis” was followed by new classic “Before the Sun” and the two fully took over the feeling. Lyrics from his new track, “Before the Sun,” features the lyrics, “The devil sees us now / Clear as the moon glows / Sleeping in our winter clothes / Radio’s a crackling fire / I’ll go it on my own / I’ll go it on my own / Go it on my own / Sand city bus / Kicking up dust / Kicking up dust / Before the sun comes up” which conjure the images of the desert.”
In addition, Isakov played “Stable Song,” “Amsterdam,” and new track “The Fall.” He finished the set with an intimate performance of “Dandelion Wine.” The songs put a spell on the audience and showcased Isakov’s emotional impact.
Senora May and Sumbuck were two new acts. Senora May is Tyler Childers’ wife and quite the belter. She played a laid-back acoustic sent. Sumbuck (side-project of Taylor Meier) features Taylor Meier’s vocals and many overlapping musicians from Camp.
Festival Closer, Billy Strings, took the Fort Stage with his bluegrass band. Strings’ bluegrass leanings may have been less mainstream than the usual closer, but the band had no problem commanding the closing spot. Strings moved easily from bluegrass to roots to electric as he showed off his lightning fast guitar picking. Strings lead the way on vocals and guitar with Billy Failing on banjo, Jarrod Walker on Mandolin, Royal Masat on Bass, and Alex Hargreaves on fiddle. It was quite refreshing to get a band with a nod to traditional bluegrass music to close out the Newport Folk Festival 2023.
Featuring new avenues and old roads, Newport Folk Festival will clearly keep moving forward expanding in many directions. Since Bob Dylan in 1965, Newport Folk has a history of breaking rules and redefining roots music in the process.
All photos by Suzanne Davis McMahon
About the author: Jeff is a teacher in the Boston area. When not buried correcting papers, Jeff can be found plucking various stringed instruments and listening to all types of americana music.