We crashed joyfully into day two with Illiterate light, Public Enemy, Remi Wolf and Luke Combs. Surprise guests kept the energy high, and conversations with festival-goers made it clear just how much the weekend was resonating with everyone at the fort. With clear skies and a clear mind, the day moved with ease and joy. From learning about Tyler Ballgame’s Rhode Island roots to Flipturn’s love for flowers, we were reminded of why music feels like such a powerful gathering place. Relive all the day two moments in our full recap below!
Illiterate Light
By now, you probably know how much we love Illiterate Light. From helping run the Bike Stage to literally biking up the East Coast to get to Newport, these two have truly done it all. What might feel unpolished or even brash only adds to their charm—it works for them tenfold. They fully commit, creating a wild, fun, and welcoming atmosphere for everyone in the crowd. Making his way around, Jake Cochran had surprised the crowd by hopping on the bike and creating a full circle around them by making his way back to the stage. This was a surprise to all and all we could see was smiles from every fan. Their set was pure joy, and we honestly can’t recommend Illiterate Light enough.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ILLITERATE LIGHT:
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Tyler Ballgame
Tyler Ballgame isn’t just another artist—his sound feels like it’s been pulled straight from a timeless era. With a style reminiscent of Thee Sacred Souls, Teddy Swims, and Thee Sinseers, Tyler is clearly part of something bigger than himself. His set by the water was nothing short of magical, bringing smooth crooner vibes that had fans fully immersed in every note. By the end, it felt like we had all discovered our new favorite rising artist.
After his performance, we caught up with Tyler for some portraits and instantly bonded over our shared Rhode Island roots. That connection only confirmed what his music already shows—Tyler is as genuine as he is talented. Do yourself a favor and check out his work now… before everyone else catches on.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TYLER BALLGAME:
INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
Saya Grey
One of the up-and-coming acts you need to keep an eye on—Saya Gray was pure chef’s kiss. What she dares to experiment with in the studio, she delivers tenfold on stage. Performing standout tracks like ‘THIS IS WHY (I DON’T SPRING 4 LOVE)’ and ‘SHELL (OF A MAN),’ her set felt like a genre-bending dream: glitchy, intimate, and emotionally layered. Her sound is the kind that feels familiar—like it lives in your memory—but nothing else at the festival came close to matching it. Wrapped in bold visuals and quiet intensity, she kept the crowd captivated from start to finish. If you’re looking for something bold, introspective, and jam-worthy, go check her out—like, yesterday.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SAYA GREY:
INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
Obongayar
With flares of ’70s disco, ancestral rhythms, and echoes of artists like Fred Again and Jungle, Obongjayar is the kind of performer who’ll have you dancing the moment he hits the stage—and long after he’s gone. His presence was undeniable: fun, magnetic, and filled with bursts of improvised movement that made every moment feel alive. The crowd adored him from the first beat, and the energy didn’t dip for a second. Hours after his set, people were still talking about him—and for good reason. We truly believe this artist is just getting started, and we can’t wait to see how far he goes.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OBONGAYAR:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
Flipturn
Oh, how we LOVE Flipturn. Before their set, we had the chance to grab a few quick portraits and chat with them about their year so far. In the middle of a whirlwind era—touring nonstop until the end of the year—they’re taking over the world one stage at a time. And yet, they were kind, grounded, and inviting. Later, we got to watch them light up the stage, fully in tune with the crowd’s energy. They knew exactly how to hold attention and shift the moment into something present and joyful. Fans lined up on the barricade once they saw Flipturn enter the stage. We didn’t see many phones in the air—just fans vibing, singing along, and being completely themselves.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FLIPTURN:
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Iron & Wine
Somewhere in Forks, Washington… we mean Newport, RI… we found ourselves completely relaxed during Iron & Wine’s set. It truly felt like the final scene of Twilight—staring soulfully into the woods, wrapped in a moment that felt timeless. Slotted later in the day, his extended set gave festival-goers space to breathe, reflect, and fall back in love with music that wears its heart on its sleeve. We were so glad to be there—leaning into softness, stillness, and a sound that quietly held us the whole way through.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IRON & WINE:
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Remi Wolf
Back in 2022, we crossed paths with Remi Wolf at Newport Folk Fest—and her vibrance and sweet energy stole our hearts. Fast forward to now, we had the chance to photograph her again, and she hasn’t missed a beat. Singing fan favorites like ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Photo ID,’ she radiated individuality, joy, and pure color. With a smile that lasted her whole set, her energy left us feeling bubbly the rest of the day. Right now, Remi is absolutely crushing the music scene—between new songs, nonstop touring, and collabs across major festivals, it’s hard to keep up. We just know the world’s lucky to have a soul as bright as hers.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT REMI WOLF:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
I’m With Her
Some musical groups just feel like Newport Folk Festival—and I’m With Her is one of them. Their chemistry on stage was undeniable, each member bringing something special while staying completely in sync. With a fresh, innovative spin on bluegrass, they reminded us why the genre continues to evolve—and why they’re such a perfect fit for the Fort.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT I’M WITH HER:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
Public Enemy
We LOVE the energy and grandure Public Enemy brought. Dancing and crowd cheers helped match the energy that Public Enemy brought. Defining generations of hip hop and still defining what hip hop, R&B, and rap looks like, this group still hit hard. As trailblazers who shaped the sound of hip-hop, R&B, and protest music, their influence spans decades—from iconic collaborations to inspiring new generations. We were smiling so big we almost forgot we were in the presence of greatness.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PUBLIC ENEMY:
INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
Luke Combs
There might be no love in Oklahoma, but there’s definitely plenty in Rhode Island for Luke Combs. A true trailblazer in country, Luke brought something different—maybe it was the raw energy, the deep electric guitar, or the sheer grit he delivers in every lyric. His music is helping define where country’s headed, all while keeping one foot firmly planted in classic rock roots. Closing out day two, there truly wasn’t a better way to end the night.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LUKE COMBS:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
Check out our gallery from the show below!
Liked our coverage of day 2? Which act would you like to see live? Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and Discord. We would love to hear from you!
