We’re back at the Fort for the 2026 Newport Folk Festival, and we couldn’t be more excited! From an incredible lineup of artists to food that was truly worth the hype, this weekend continues to be one of our favorite events to cover year after year. Walking through the gates instantly brought back memories of past festivals, our love for folk music, and that familiar feeling that somehow each year manages to outdo the last. In this recap, we’ll share some of our favorite performances, memorable moments, and everything we got up to over an unforgettable weekend.
First Things First
Every year we are so intrigued to see what features return and which one make their debut. One of those being their water initiatives and the bike parking. It’s one thing to have accessible water for festival goers when its hot, but it’s another when sustainability and convenience meet. Newport Folk Festival had encouraged ride shares, carpooling, ferry travels, and biking as the main sources to get to the fort. With gas and car usage being one of the most hurtful ways of travel to the environment, their free bike parking and comradery around this topic is something to be cheered for. Not every festival does this and we think that Newport Festivals do an amazing job making sure these options are on everyone’s mind!
Our love truly runs deep for this festival as we have covered everyone from Hayley Williams and Bleachers to Orville Peck to Hozier to Grace Bowers all the way to Maggie Rogers. With every coverage we do and every year on site always brings something new and exciting to bring to these recaps. This year was one for the books and we cannot wait for you see the historic moments in store. So get your Spotify playlists ready for new adds and new vibes. Trust us when we say that this year was STACKED, we really do mean it (we promise we won’t steer you wrong)!
Infinity Song
This family band is everything and more. Opening up day one of the festival, Infinity Song brought their upbeat and sweet tunes to the Harbor stage marking their debut at this historic festival. Infinity Song has been gaining traction after their recent self-titled EP drop in June. Also if you haven’t heard the legend that is Momo Boyd, you might recognize her feature on her own Miss Michigan or featured on Baby Keem’s and Kendrick Lamar’s song ‘Good Flirts.’
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INFINITY SONG:
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Brother Wallice
Brother Wallice was a late add to our schedules and we were so glad to have learned about this singer’s talent. His gospel inspired sound drew us in and prompted us to dance alongside those watching his set on Quad stage. Brother Wallice interacted with the crowd making sure that his happiness spread to everyone. We remember talking with some people who attended and asked them if they liked his set as much as we did and their response was an instant yes! So please check him out as we can’t recommend him enough to you.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BROTHER WALLICE:
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Amble
Amble. Amble. Amble. This trio had captured nostalgia and grace while representing culture very well. Coming from Ireland, Robbie Cunningham, Oisin McCaffrey, and Ross Mc Nerney, had taken Harbor stage right after Infinity song. Their jam session with one another and watching them recreate their sounds on a stage where people endlessly cheered grew on us. Seeing their connection with the crowd was endearing and said more then what can ever be said aloud. We had a few moments later on in the day to grab some portraits of them before they had to leave and getting to talk with them solidified just how kind Amble was on and off stage. If you are ever in need of autumn inspired and upbeat coffeehouse music, please make sure to add Amble to your playlists!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AMBLE:
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Tiny Habits
Now, if you are critically online as much as we are, you’ll know of Tiny Habits. The band Tiny Habits has been on our playlists for years and we FINALLY got to see their bond live from the Fort stage. Walking on, they all had the biggest smiles as they were warmly welcomed. Their funniness and their acting skills were on point and very much needed. Making sure we got every last moment of them on stage, we learned that the festival goers not only knew all of their songs but we also learned that the crowds always make sure to their homework. Tiny Habits will always be on our favorite lists and we are so glad we got to see another iconic (and historic) debut at this festival.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TINY HABITS:
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Deer Tick
The roots run deep for this indie band. Deer Tick is a Providence, Rhode Island based band that brought the energy right to the Quad stage. We had added this band to our coverage list since they have been there and done that and their experience and tour records are impressive. Getting to watch their vibrance on stage brought something that we only see with bands that trust one another and know their crew at the back of their hands. We noticed right before they went on they were having trouble with their amps but that did not stop them one bit. It actually added more energy and more life to their set and we loved every minute of their set!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DEER TICK:
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Fruit Bats
We have been following Fruit Bats career for some time now since he opened up for Greta Van Fleet in 2022. Although, this band has been around since just about 1997, their legend and musicality is beyond words. Lead singer, Eric D. Johnson, peacefully jammed out while keeping the crowd engaged. While it was humid and no clouds were in the sky, Fruit Bats held their own and made their mid-day set the perfect fit to the first day of Folk Fest.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FRUIT BATS:
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Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy
Now did you know the same person who smashed their acting role in your favorite films is the same one that sings in a band (and has a killer voice)? Neither did we until today! Michael Shannon is primarily known as an actor in his roles in Knives Out, 8 Mile, Loving, Take Shelter, and more. He has always had a musical streak within him and has been singing in bands since he was a teen. His Newport Debut with Jason Narducy had been a tribute to R.E.M. and played songs that both the crowd and the band sang at the top of their lungs. If you catch these two in-between takes, please go and report back to us–we promise you will have the best time of your life jamming alongside two iconic humans.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHAEL SHANNON:
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TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JASON NARDUCY:
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Lucy Dacus
Here at The Honey POP we adore Lucy Dacus and her music. We were instantly excited to see what songs she would play and if she was going to bring out any friends to the stage. Holding the crowd in the palm of her hands, Lucy’s joy was reflected onto the fans that sat barricade just to watch her set. Right away, Lucy had surprised the festival by bringing out Hayley Williams and Madi Diaz while singing acoustic songs. It’s always a great time getting to see Lucy on stage and brings us right back into our feels since her songs reflect life and moments that we all go through and face simultaneously together.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LUCY DACUS:
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Lauryn Hill
We felt as if this was THE moment. We waited patiently for Lauryn Hill’s set all day and we weren’t disappointed. Bringing out her band and djs, she performed both an acoustic set and even rapped some songs too. Growing up, we always listened to Lauryn’s album ‘the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill‘ and thought of the day when we would see her live. Her aura and her legend were more than we imagined. Bringing out our favorite up-and-comers SNACKTIME, they jammed out the whole set adding a few songs at the end of her set to keep the party alive and well. Lauryn closed out day one and it was worth every minute.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LAURYN HILL:
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Check out our full gallery from the day one below!
We absolutely enjoyed another round the sun with Newport Folk Festival and were so honored to attend. What were your favorite moments? Which artist were you surprised by that we caught? What acts have you learned from us and added to your playlists?
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!
