2024 Debuts & Discovery

by Clara Maurer

June 2024

If you’ve been following us on social media, you might’ve noticed that we’ve wrapped up our main stage lineup announcements (though… it isn’t really over until the music wraps on Sunday night, right?). We’ve got some amazing artists coming back to join us at the Fort – like Hozier, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and Brittany Howard – and a bunch of alum coming back with ‘new’ projects – we’re looking at you Mighty Poplar, Cunningham/Bird, and New Dangerfield. That being said, we are equally excited to introduce you all to some of the Folk first-timers, making their debut. We hope you join us in welcoming them, for the very first time, to the Newport Folk stage.

GUSTER

One of the most requested artists is finally coming to Newport! Guster made the news recently after they made a surprise pop-up appearance at Somerville’s PorchFest.

MUNA

The pop-trio MUNA is known for their shimmering pop hits and vibrant performances, but we love their Tiny Desk concert where they really let their songwriting & musicality shine.

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday made quite a splash last year in the indie-rock world. You might’ve seen their album Rat Saw God make #4 on Pitchfork’s Best Albums Of 2023 list.

PETEY

Petey has garnered a following on TikTok for his comedy (over 1.5 million followers, actually), but it was his earnest lyrics and high-voltage performances that caught our eye.

THE WAR ON DRUGS

Yes! The Grammy-award winning band, The War On Drugs, is finally coming to rock the Fort for the first time ever!

ELLE KING

She’s kicking ass, she’s taking names, and she’s carrying her baby while she does it. Elle King, everybody.

JOSIAH AND THE BONNEVILLES

Josiah’s singing has an old-soul quality to it. Captivating yet familiar; he sounds like longing for home.

LA LOM

Short for The Los Angeles League of Musicians, LA LOM are bringing their signature mix of Cumbia, 60’s soul ballads, and classic romantic boleros to the Fort. Get ready to groove.

STEVE POLTZ

The renowned Steve Poltz is finally making his way to the Fort. Bob Lefsetz once described him as “a national treasure,” and we couldn’t agree more.

BILLIE MARTEN

Get ready to be mesmerized by the sweet, gentle melodies of Billie Marten. You’ll be humming her songs all day.

WILLIAM PRINCE

We’re so proud to welcome William Prince, our 2024 John Prine Songwriter Fellowship recipient, into the Folk family.

NUMBER ONE BABE

Rhode Island’s own Number One Babe will captivate you with their singing as easy as breathing and soft lyrics twinged with heartache. It’s perfect for a breezy, summer morning by Narragansett Bay.

SAMM HENSHAW

Samm Henshaw makes it look and sound easy, but do not be fooled: he is bringing the soul to Newport Folk this year.

OCIE ELLIOT

Ocie Elliot knows how to pull an audience in and give a performance as intimate as if you were sitting in the backseat of their CRV.

BERTHA: GRATEFUL DRAG

Inspired by Tennessee’s “adult cabaret” ban, this Grateful Dead drag tribute band absolutely shreds. Get a good spot early for this set.

CHAPARELLE

Zella Day + Jesse Woods + Beau Bedford = Chaparelle, the swoon-worthy, retro-country trio. Keep an eye on them as their first single is coming out soon!

REYNA TROPICAL

We are so moved by Reyna Tropical’s story. The latest album, Malegría, is inspired by and dedicated to Fabi’s bandmate, the late Sumohair. Fabi expertly weaves themes of activism, joy, and grief – all while shredding on the guitar.

OLIVER HAZARD

Okay, so get this: Oliver Hazard’s band name is inspired by the commander Oliver Hazard Perry (the same guy that the tall ship that tends to dock at Fort Adams is named after). It must be kismet that they will be joining us at the Fort this summer.

CONAN O’BRIEN

We’re not even kidding: Conan O’Brien is an incredible musical performer — he’s learned from his many talented friends over the years. Watch his former house band, Jimmy Vivino & The Basic Cable Band, give their final Late Night appearance, featuring Conan O’Brien.

DROPKICK MURPHYS

While The Dropkick Murphys are famed for their Boston sports team anthems and boisterous performances, we admire that they’ve dedicated their nearly-three-decades-long career to advocating for union workers & voter registration, and shedding light on the incredible Woody Guthrie.

CORY WONG

Our Newport Jazz fans know him well. Cory Wong injects energy into everything he does, even when he swaps out his typical electric for an acoustic guitar.

TINARIWEN

Tinariwen is considered a pioneer of ‘desert blues’ – fusing Tuareg instruments and rhythms with classic-rock guitar riffs. We’re so excited to welcome them to the Fort.

KILLER MIKE

The Grammy-award winning hip-hop artist will be stepping onto the Newport Folk stage for the very first time. Whether it’s through his solo work or his famed group Run The Jewels, Killer Mike has always used his music as a platform to speak truth to power and shine a light on his activism.