Calexico, Sharon Jones, Andrew Bird, to Play Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival is historically significant, not just because of its ever-exciting, often bleeding edge lineup, but because in 1965 Bob Dylan decided to plug in and play electric, much to the dismay of a large portion of the crowd. That set forever changed people's ideas about where folk...

By Sarah Ventre

March 25, 2010

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The Newport Folk Festival is historically significant, not just because of its ever-exciting, often bleeding edge lineup, but because in 1965 Bob Dylan decided to plug in and play electric, much to the dismay of a large portion of the crowd. That set forever changed people's ideas about where folk and pop music intersected.

Running annually since 1959, the Rhode Island festival finds the best and most interesting acts consistently, and this year is no exception.

The full lineup was just announced, and Arizona's own Calexico is one of the more talked about acts, as are Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Andrew Bird, Woodstock opener Richie Havens, and two personal favorites of mine, Blitzen Trapper and O'Death. While some of these bands push the boundaries of folk and roots music, they fit in perfectly at the controversial Newport Folk Fest.

See the complete lineup and more music news after the jump...

Friday, July 30 pre-show:
Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Tim O'Brien
Sarah Jarosz

Saturday, July 31:
John Prine
Andrew Bird
Brandi Carlile
The Low Anthem
Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket
Doc Watson & David Holt
Calexico
Dawes
Nneka
O'Death
Liz Longley
Blitzen Trapper
A.A. Bondy
Sam Bush
Horsefeathers

Sunday, August 1:
Levon Helm's Ramble on the Road
The Swell Season
The Avett Brothers
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
Richie Havens
Justin Townes Earle
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Punch Brothers with Chris Thile
The Felice Brothers
Tao Seeger Band
Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons
Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three

More music news...

TwentyFourBit: Dead Weather "Die By The Drop" Video, Single Hits the Web
Factory Made Future: The Dodos and The New Pornographers Are Coming to Tucson
Rolling Stone: Jay-Z Takes Cameras Behind His 9/11 Benefit in "NY-Z"
Pitchfork: Echo Chamber: Jack White
NME: Liverpool to Celebrate John Lennon's Life with Two-Month Festival

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