Festival Recap: Newport Folk Day Three

Words by Elizabeth Munn
Photos by Mae Krell

Our third and final day at this year's Newport Folk Festival started off much chillier than the previous two, the sky devoid of sun and instead filled with clouds and an indecisive drizzle. Our damp day began how any good day begins for me---with a really good coffee. Stopping at Grafik Coffee in Portsmouth, I sipped on a Blueberry Pancake Latte and browsed from a selection of books housed in a vintage pickup truck in the cafe's parking lot. Flatbed Fiction is a pop-up bookshop that runs entirely out of a 1961 Studebaker Champ (so adorable)! 

Jensen McRae at Newport Folk’s Harbor Stage, Photo by Mae Krell

After our much-needed caffeine pit stop, we kept it moving toward Newport, arriving just in time for Jensen McRae's set at the Harbor Stage. McRae began her set with "God Has a Hitman," and "My Ego Dies At The End" before diving into songs from her newest album I Don't Know How But They Found Me! (which is apparently a Back To The Future reference, according to McRae). Another movie reference appeared in McRae's set when she sang the TikTok viral "Massachusetts," which includes the lyrics, "When someone asks me who's my favorite Batman / I'll think of you and say Christian Bale." 

Much of McRae's lyricism draws from her relationships and experiences with men. My favorites of the set, "Savannah" was written after two men invited her to go with them to the Georgia city (different times and for different reasons, but it's funny that it happened twice…) McRae's proclivity toward storytelling created a fun and engaging set as she mixed humor in between her deeply emotional songs. 

McRae will be heading out on tour this October, starting off with an extensive lineup of dates in North America and ending with Paris, London, and Dublin in November. Lots of dates have already sold out so make sure to snag a ticket sooner rather than later! 

Matt Berninger at Newport Folk’s Bike Stage, Photo by Mae Krell

After Jensen McRae's set, we headed to the Bike Stage to hear a couple songs from Matt Berninger of The National. Berninger first solo project was released in 2021, and his sophomore album Get Sunk was released May of this year. 

Berninger looked like your friend's cool dad walking up on stage in his suit and sunglasses. The festival folk truly showed out for him as the Bike Stage was at the fullest I'd seen it all weekend. Beginning with "No Love," Berninger played through a selection of songs from his newest album, while throwing an acoustic version of The National favorite, "The Alcott." 

Before trekking over to the Fort to catch the start of Margo Price's set, we made sure to set up our blanket in a good spot on the Quad in preparation for Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners later. 

Walking past the sea of vendors on the way to the Fort, a booth of handcrafted rings caught my eye. Madison McKenna's The Cypress Cabinet sells jewelry in multiple different mediums, specializing in one-of-a-kind rings. I couldn't resist purchasing a little brass beauty when I saw she sold rings as small as a size 2. My itty-bitty size 3.5 ring finger was seriously grateful!

Margo Price at Newport Folk’s Fort Stage, Photo by Mae Krell

Country queen Margo Price pranced on to the stage and yelled, "How y'all doin Newport?" Amidst her band of boys, Price was wearing a to-die-for handmade mini skirt and corset set from Kristin Mallison. Mallison is a Brooklyn-based designer whose clothing is crafted entirely from upcycled materials, such as vintage tapestries and upholstery fabrics. (An original Kristin Mallison tapestry skirt has been on my dream clothing bucket list for years!) Margo Price certainly rocked her set, pairing it with a vintage Gibson guitar. 

After starting off with "Hands of Time" from Midwest Farmer's Daughter, Price turned up the energy and dove right into the unreleased track "Red Eye Flight” from her forthcoming album Hardheaded Woman, due for release on August 29th. While Price danced around the stage with a tambourine, the audience danced right along with her. If there's anything to expect from a Margo Price set, it's fun. To me, Price is a flash back to my childhood, which was filled with the twangy voices of classic female county stars like Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. 

Later in the set, Jesse Welles and John C. Reilly were welcomed to the stage as special guests. While Price's set was studded with covers from Dolly Parton to Kris Kristofferson, a rendition of Bob Dylan's "Maggie's Farm" in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Dylan going electric at Newport was the real highlight of the set. Hearing Price, Welles, and Reilly harmonize such an old school song on a vintage microphone was such a cool experience! 

Richy Mich & The Coal Miners at Newport Folk’s Quad Stage, Photo by Mae Krell

Before heading to the Quad for Richy Mitch, we grabbed some Thai food to satiate our growling stomachs. Back at the Quad we settled in on our blanket, full from our bowls of Pad Thai, and waited for the music to play.

Indie folk/rock band Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners started off their set with some songs from their newest release. As they began to play, the rain began to pour. I whipped out the poncho I had stashed away in my bag and attempted to stay dry. 

As the set went on, the rain began to dissipate, and Richy Mitch started to play their fan favorites (also my favorites). "Evergreen" in particular sounded even more beautiful in person than through my girlfriend's car's stereo.

Matt Quinn of Mt. Joy came out as a special guest for Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners to help play "Lake Missoula," a fun surprise appearance before the band’s set at the Fort Stage. 

After Richy Mitch's set, we followed in Mt. Joy's footsteps and headed back to the Fort. I knew from the first sound that this was going to be a fun set. Feeling the bass in my chest, I watched the audience cram fuller and fuller into the standing room, people dancing around with what little space they had available. 

Mt. Joy started off the set with "Pink Lady" from their newest album Hope We Have Fun, released this past May. For "In The Middle," also from the recent release, Jensen McRae was welcomed onto the stage. Later, both Nathaniel Rateliff and Marren Morris joined Mt. Joy for a song each. 

Matt Quinn of Mt Joy Newport Folk’s Fort Stage, Photo by Mae Krell

About halfway into the set, Mt. Joy introduced the song "Lucy," which Matt shared he wrote for a friend who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The song finds beauty in the hope and courage displayed by people who are going through something as terrifying as a potentially terminal illness.  

Before ending the set with "Silver Lining," Mt. Joy dove into a version of "Julia" that melted into covers of classics like Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," highlighting lots of instrumentals and keyboard solos.  

My favorite of the set was "Bathroom Light," a consistent never-skip on my playlists and a song for all the lovers out there! It was a dream to sing along in the audience while leaning against my own love's chest..."tell your friends / tell your ma that you love who they are."

My last day of Newport Folk Festival ended in the best way it could---listening to great music with people I love in a place I'd grown to love in those past three days. I can't wait to be back with that Newport magic again next year!