"So You're Going to Play Newport 2026 ..."

Headed to the Newport Folk Festival (July 24-26) or the Newport Jazz Festival (July 31-August 2)? The essentials to pack are pretty easy: sunscreen, lots of water, comfy footwear, and a rain poncho. And the anticipatory euphoria of doing nothing but hearing great music (and cooling off with soft frozen lemonade) for three days.

If ever there were a great American festival tradition, Newport neatly fills that bill, not only for its impressive history of folk and jazz luminaries gracing the stages, but the unifying feeling of camaraderie and community and initiatives like the Sea to Shining Sea Project.

Since 2022, FUV has asked musicians headed for Newport what the festivals mean to them — and what they're looking forward to upon their first-time visit or return to Fort Adams — and this year, we heard from Brandi Carlile, Medium Build, Lucy Dacus, Butcher Brown, Lake Street Dive, Infinity Song, Tiny Habits, Cory Wong, Courtney Marie Andrews, Brother Wallace, Fruit Bats, The Bad Plus, Evan Honer, and Clover County on their Newport expectations.

“I’m most looking forward to the communal nature of collaborating with my friends. The feeling of never knowing what’s going to happen. Music for the sake of music. This year will have a certain elevated sense of significance seeing as it’s the 250th celebration of America. The Newport Folk Festival is a socially conscious space that has a tremendous history of defending civil rights and holding our great country accountable with a long standing tradition of great folk music snd fearlessness artists.” - Brandi Carlile

"I'm excited to see some friends, two Courtneys and two Hayleys, and I've been meaning to see Wednesday forever. Lauryn Hill takes the cake though; never thought I'd get the chance to see her." - Lucy Dacus

"Newport continues to be an important account of the lineage of music. I love participating for the magically unexpected moments. It’s where the sea meets dreams." - Courtney Marie Andrews

"We are incredibly honored to perform at the historic Newport Folk and Jazz Festival, where legends like Brandi Carlile, Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez created unforgettable musical moments, and it is a true privilege to contribute our own music to the rich legacy of these iconic stages.” - Infinity Song's Abraham Boyd

"Newport Folk is one of a scant handful of festivals on earth that feels like a family reunion of sorts. Reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones, plus the occasional brush with some kind of legend who you never dreamed you'd meet. I've forgotten a lot over the years but the Newport memories are thick for me always. Also oysters!" - Fruit Bats' Eric D. Johnson

“One of my earliest memories of seeing live jazz was watching the Newport Jazz Festival on PBS. It means a lot to be a part of something that was once just a dream.” - Reid Anderson of The Bad Plus

"Newport is the pinnacle of festivals for me. I'm just stoked to be able to play and also get to watch some of my favourite artists and friends of mine like Matt Quinn (of Mt. Joy), Medium Build and more" - Evan Honer

"I’m just honored to be a small part of the history at Newport. To stand and sing where icons and friends have sang before me. It’s a privilege to play my songs anywhere people love music." - Nick Carpenter of Medium Build

"I am so stoked to come back to both Folk and Jazz. I am very excited to come back with all three bands that I play in and really have the opportunity to explore different sides of my artistry at both festivals. It's truly an honor to be a part of the historic lineage of both festivals." - Cory Wong

"We’re all students of the jazz tradition and some of our favorite live recordings come from the Newport stage. The festival has developed in such a way to welcome newer generations and styles to become part of its history, and maintains an air of collaboration and discovery — honoring those elements of music in general, and jazz in particular — which gives the festival a distinct celebratory spirit. We’re excited to be both entertaining and entertained; to share in the creation and recreation of tradition and future side by side." - Lake Street Dive's Mike Calabrese

"I’m most excited to hang alongside so many inspiring artists and hear some great music under the sun! I’m also gonna kick buns at the softball game!" - Clover County's A.G. Schiano

"Newport Jazz is one of the most prestigious festivals in the world, being part of the legacy is a true honor. It’s been three years since we’ve played this festival and now having Nate Smith as the artistic director shines light on Virginia, where we come from." - Corey Fonville of Butcher Brown

"We look forward to not only hearing the incredible artists this year, but getting to continue to contribute to the legacy this festival has created over the years." - Morgan Burrs of Butcher Brown 

"We've been to Newport before supporting wonderful friends and experiencing the festival as fans, so coming back with our own set feels especially meaningful. With our new album, Keepers, arriving this August, it feels full circle to debut these new songs on the Newport stage. Catch us Friday, July 24 at 12:30 p.m. on the Fort Stage! - Judah, Cinya, and Maya, a.k.a.Tiny Habits

"I’m looking forward to all of it. It is amazing to be invited to do such an iconic festival. I remember seeing the Bob Dylan movie thinking how cool it would be to play Newport. I’ve watched Mahalia Jackson’s performance at Newport along with so many others. I am so excited to be here." - Christopher “Brother” Wallace