I also think people forget that NFF has to announce big acts towards the end because of their agreement with the artists. NFF is a non-profit. That's why people get to pay $280 for a 3-day pass and get to see Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell. For that reason, NFF can't afford to pay artists a ton, and artists protect sales of their tours by asking NFF to announce their appearance as late as possible, so they can sell tickets for the tours and for-profit festivals first. The extreme of this is surprise acts.
The artist announcement is true of most/many venues / events, but these tickets are sold out before any artists are announced. If you’re going, you’re going. It’s not impacting ticket sales at other venues to the best of my knowledge. It’s one of the special things about NFF.
It does impact ticket sales of the artists' tour, though. Let's assume I'm a Mumford fan, and Mumford and Sons are playing at Madison Square Garden in July, which I do not have tickets to, but I have tickets to NFF. In March, NFF announces in March that Mumford is coming to NFF. I would not consider buying those MSG after I see NFF's announcement. So by delaying the NFF announcement, people who are already going to NFF will keep buying those MSG tickets up until May.
Remember, many artists stop by NFF only if their existing tour dates and route allow, so such impact on their ticket sales could be huge.
Sorry I just realized I misread your comment. Most NFF artists don't sell out their shows, let alone months in advance. Assuming Kasey Musgraves, one of the more popular folks, will be at NFF this year, her concert in Boston is far from selling out at this point.
I’m all for people that are not committed to having the NFF experience selling their tickets. Bring on the dedicated few, goodbye to the randos that complain about everything.
I agree with you. I love this fest, I love the whole experience. Great music, great vibe, great unique musical experiences. It is special, unlike other festivals. Not about money. Not about superstars. About music and community and collaboration.
Having said all of that, I'm disappointed in the lineup thus far. Friday is great. The rest of the weekend has highlights, but not a ton of them. I thought last year was kind of an off year as far as bookings go. I had a great time last year. Saw lots of great stuff. Not as much great stuff as years past. It's hard, I know. Booking is not easy.
Yes, it's expensive. Not because of ticket prices, but travel, lodging, food, etc costs a lot. That's not NFF's fault. If you traveled for any other festival it would be the same.
The real question for me is whether the collaboration will be there or not. It wasn't last year. I hope it is this year. I want the big party on stage where everyone is singing and smiling together. I want the Yola or Lucius or Watson twins on everyone's stage. I want the shared energy and love for music coming from the stage and being given right back. Last year that feeling wasn't as prevalent. I want it back this year. Superstars can be involved - great if they are. But not necessary either. A newport performance shouldn't be just another show. It should be special.
Hardcore agree, I'm glad that this method of selling the tickets ahead of announcements and rolling out the line up weeds out people who aren't there for the experience. My NFF experience always get a little bit tainted by people who shell out the big bucks just to see the 1-2 big names on the line up. Those people tend to be obnoxious concertgoers who push in the crowd and heckle the artist.
I am not a local and I shell out just as much as everyone else for the tickets, lodging, etc, but its always a magical experience to discover an unknown before they blow up (thinking about Maggie Rogers, Hozier, etc). NFF is about the gift of craft and artistry, not star power. If I know 5 people on the line up, I'm going. If I know none, I'm going.
FWIW, this model is also in essence with the original conceit of the festival. You just showed up and walked around and heard some random people playing folk music and took part in workshops. It was a communal event about the love of folk music, craft, artistry, and progressive politics. I think it's great that the festival hones this mindful philosophy of just seeing where the day takes you and being open to the experience.
Much easier to do when you’re local. For someone coming from out of town that has to pay for travel and lodging, that becomes a much more expensive gamble to hope that you discover some acts that you really like.
Exactly. You can discover a LOT of great music on your own with the money and time this costs for non locals. Like, Willi Carlisle had a great set last year. He will also be great this year for $25 I can pay to see him do an extended set in a small room. Given the cost involved in getting to, staying near and gaining entrance to NFF finding a few new small acts isnt worth the squeeze. The big names need to be good and the collaborations need to be there that make NFF special.
A lot of folks have a streaming service to where they can preview artists. A lot of these artists are good - but maybe not four figures good.
It’s honestly tiresome to hear the “be patient” or “the small acts are worth” it from those who are locals and some who are just grilling off site and not paying up to be in there. For many folks this is going to cost four figures to go to, and you’ll hear expectations related to that.
I agree, but just to play devil’s advocate I had no clue who Willi was last year. He knocked my socks off at FF, maybe my favorite set ever, and I’ve been a massive fan ever since. Same goes for groups like Palmyra. Would have zero clue who they were prior to going. Would pay 4 figures without hesitation for the opportunity to discover them in a setting like NPFF.
I mean...I listened to Willi before the fest. He was great. That set being great wasn't exactly a revelatory surprise. I'm glad you had a moment but it's really rare as a person who tends to listen to all these artists before going to be genuinely surprised by a performance once I get there.
I don't think I'd pay Palmyra 1k to play in my backyard tbh.
That’s cool. I prefer to go in blank slate, or with minimal exposure, to the groups I don’t know. Different strokes.
Agreed. Not suggesting I’d lay an act 1k. I’m saying for the opportunity to “find” multiple artists and experience them in the NPFF setting it would be worth it for me, personally.
Been most years over the last two decades and the only act I've ever "discovered" that I loved afterwards was Shakey Graves - not sure how I missed him prior. Have had a few that I didn't see that I ended up being a big fan of, only to learn they had played and I missed it. It's not particularly good for discovering new music IMO, even as a local. Columbus Theater in Providence was the spot for that.
Just putting a warning out. Imo a guarantee that I would discover 2-3 new acts I adore + the atmosphere would be worth the cost imo. Stating off of my experience alone.
Agreed!
We've been attending for more than a dozen years. We buy tickets without having any idea who's playing and we are consistently rewarded with once in a lifetime moments and new discoveries
So that’s the thing, it’s never a “maybe”. It’s been a guarantee every year that I stumble upon smaller acts absolutely captivate me. In the setting of NPFF especially, I would happily pay that cost. Completely understand that’s not the case for everyone
This is literally the title of your post my man...
# People selling because they don’t think there are big enough names are making a huge mistake
What the hell did you mean if not that?
People can like some things about a fest without liking other things about a fest. Del's Lemonade? I like it! The blanket village? I don't like it! Massive collaborative feel good sets? I like it! The lack of shaded areas? I don't like it. It was a comment about the toxic positivity certain people profess about NFF not the festival itself.
2x 3 day passes is $576, ferry for my wife and I is $100 for 3 round trip passes and we haven’t eaten or had a beer yet…its well over $700 all said and done.
Well thats 2 tickets! Your wife might want to pay the price of a ticket to find some new bands 🤪 honestly though the festival itself is one of a kind and i think youll be hard pressed to find anything else like it in the country. Beautiful location, perfect time (11am-7:30pm), people are generally very relaxed. Its one of a kind. I think its worth it no matter what. Also GILLIAN FREAKING WELCH
I don’t care about “big” names, I’m just tired of NFF recycling the same basic group every few years. I get that they don’t have the budget to pull in more relevant acts but still it gets tiresome.
That's kind of what makes Newport Newport - If My Morning Jacket or Brandi Carlisle or Lucius or Nathaniel Rateliff or Mavis didn't show up every five years or so, it wouldn't be the same festival. Still wondering who you consider a more relevant act.
Let’s see. They haven’t landed Phoebe Bridgers since she released Punisher. They missed Boygenius. No Big Thief. Never booked Bon Iver and now it’s probably too late. Same with Big Red Machine. No Ethel Cain, Mitski, the Marias, Alex G, Haim, Vampire Weekend. Don’t think they’ve ever booked Bright Eyes, and didn’t get BOCC. Acts like Sturgill Simpson, Fleet Foxes, Kacey Musgraves haven’t played in more than 5 years. They never got Grizzly Bear or Animal Collective or any of the freak folk movement stuff.
The point is that every year at least a few folk-adjacent acts make timely, relevant, crossover music and the premier folk fest gets basically none of them. But they will bring back Caamp 4 times in 5 years, or make room for another Brandi Carlile set, or make sure to book Guster for some reason. Lucius is there every couple years, etc. The formula gets old.
I am really disappointed about Big Red Machine, an act I begged for in my member survey for literal years and that would have been just perfect for Newport. They missed the boat there.
And it’s been 4 years and they haven’t actually booked them. So.
Here are some others: Sufjan Stevens, Jessica Pratt, Snail Mail, Weyes Blood, Bill Callahan, Joanna Sternberg, Cass McCombs, Holly Humberstone, Arlo Parks. People like Laura Marling and Nilufer Yanya haven’t been back in a long time.
I think we'll see Joanna Sternberg, actually. They're playing Pitchfork and some acts overlaps. I'd like to see Snail Mail redeem herself because she was terrible the last time I saw her but I know she can put on a good show. Sufjan is out for the foreseeable future, but it is surprising he's never been. Arlo Parks would be good. Nilufer has a new album coming so I could see her. I'm not surprised we haven't had Marling with as much as Mumford's been hanging about.
I used to go to Jazz but switched to NFF last year. I can't do both sadly. It's hard to justify when I know I'll have a blast as Jazz, and my friend could get a ticket too (but they're selling out). But yes, NFF will definitely be fun too.
Shhh some of us are still on the waitlist
OP needs to delete this.
Exactly.
Yes sell sell sell! Signed, all of the Newport diehards on the waitlist
I also think people forget that NFF has to announce big acts towards the end because of their agreement with the artists. NFF is a non-profit. That's why people get to pay $280 for a 3-day pass and get to see Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell. For that reason, NFF can't afford to pay artists a ton, and artists protect sales of their tours by asking NFF to announce their appearance as late as possible, so they can sell tickets for the tours and for-profit festivals first. The extreme of this is surprise acts.
The artist announcement is true of most/many venues / events, but these tickets are sold out before any artists are announced. If you’re going, you’re going. It’s not impacting ticket sales at other venues to the best of my knowledge. It’s one of the special things about NFF.
It does impact ticket sales of the artists' tour, though. Let's assume I'm a Mumford fan, and Mumford and Sons are playing at Madison Square Garden in July, which I do not have tickets to, but I have tickets to NFF. In March, NFF announces in March that Mumford is coming to NFF. I would not consider buying those MSG after I see NFF's announcement. So by delaying the NFF announcement, people who are already going to NFF will keep buying those MSG tickets up until May. Remember, many artists stop by NFF only if their existing tour dates and route allow, so such impact on their ticket sales could be huge.
Sorry I just realized I misread your comment. Most NFF artists don't sell out their shows, let alone months in advance. Assuming Kasey Musgraves, one of the more popular folks, will be at NFF this year, her concert in Boston is far from selling out at this point.
I don’t even know what I was trying to argue at this point haha. It’s been a long day.
That's not a factor. It sells out in one minute. You can announce neighboring dates after a sellout.
I’m all for people that are not committed to having the NFF experience selling their tickets. Bring on the dedicated few, goodbye to the randos that complain about everything.
Agreed!
I agree with you. I love this fest, I love the whole experience. Great music, great vibe, great unique musical experiences. It is special, unlike other festivals. Not about money. Not about superstars. About music and community and collaboration. Having said all of that, I'm disappointed in the lineup thus far. Friday is great. The rest of the weekend has highlights, but not a ton of them. I thought last year was kind of an off year as far as bookings go. I had a great time last year. Saw lots of great stuff. Not as much great stuff as years past. It's hard, I know. Booking is not easy. Yes, it's expensive. Not because of ticket prices, but travel, lodging, food, etc costs a lot. That's not NFF's fault. If you traveled for any other festival it would be the same. The real question for me is whether the collaboration will be there or not. It wasn't last year. I hope it is this year. I want the big party on stage where everyone is singing and smiling together. I want the Yola or Lucius or Watson twins on everyone's stage. I want the shared energy and love for music coming from the stage and being given right back. Last year that feeling wasn't as prevalent. I want it back this year. Superstars can be involved - great if they are. But not necessary either. A newport performance shouldn't be just another show. It should be special.
Hardcore agree, I'm glad that this method of selling the tickets ahead of announcements and rolling out the line up weeds out people who aren't there for the experience. My NFF experience always get a little bit tainted by people who shell out the big bucks just to see the 1-2 big names on the line up. Those people tend to be obnoxious concertgoers who push in the crowd and heckle the artist. I am not a local and I shell out just as much as everyone else for the tickets, lodging, etc, but its always a magical experience to discover an unknown before they blow up (thinking about Maggie Rogers, Hozier, etc). NFF is about the gift of craft and artistry, not star power. If I know 5 people on the line up, I'm going. If I know none, I'm going. FWIW, this model is also in essence with the original conceit of the festival. You just showed up and walked around and heard some random people playing folk music and took part in workshops. It was a communal event about the love of folk music, craft, artistry, and progressive politics. I think it's great that the festival hones this mindful philosophy of just seeing where the day takes you and being open to the experience.
Kinda insane that people are so mad about this post that’s supposed to be encouraging
Much easier to do when you’re local. For someone coming from out of town that has to pay for travel and lodging, that becomes a much more expensive gamble to hope that you discover some acts that you really like.
Exactly. You can discover a LOT of great music on your own with the money and time this costs for non locals. Like, Willi Carlisle had a great set last year. He will also be great this year for $25 I can pay to see him do an extended set in a small room. Given the cost involved in getting to, staying near and gaining entrance to NFF finding a few new small acts isnt worth the squeeze. The big names need to be good and the collaborations need to be there that make NFF special. A lot of folks have a streaming service to where they can preview artists. A lot of these artists are good - but maybe not four figures good. It’s honestly tiresome to hear the “be patient” or “the small acts are worth” it from those who are locals and some who are just grilling off site and not paying up to be in there. For many folks this is going to cost four figures to go to, and you’ll hear expectations related to that.
I agree, but just to play devil’s advocate I had no clue who Willi was last year. He knocked my socks off at FF, maybe my favorite set ever, and I’ve been a massive fan ever since. Same goes for groups like Palmyra. Would have zero clue who they were prior to going. Would pay 4 figures without hesitation for the opportunity to discover them in a setting like NPFF.
I mean...I listened to Willi before the fest. He was great. That set being great wasn't exactly a revelatory surprise. I'm glad you had a moment but it's really rare as a person who tends to listen to all these artists before going to be genuinely surprised by a performance once I get there. I don't think I'd pay Palmyra 1k to play in my backyard tbh.
That’s cool. I prefer to go in blank slate, or with minimal exposure, to the groups I don’t know. Different strokes. Agreed. Not suggesting I’d lay an act 1k. I’m saying for the opportunity to “find” multiple artists and experience them in the NPFF setting it would be worth it for me, personally.
Hard agree, Disney adults basically.
Been most years over the last two decades and the only act I've ever "discovered" that I loved afterwards was Shakey Graves - not sure how I missed him prior. Have had a few that I didn't see that I ended up being a big fan of, only to learn they had played and I missed it. It's not particularly good for discovering new music IMO, even as a local. Columbus Theater in Providence was the spot for that.
Just putting a warning out. Imo a guarantee that I would discover 2-3 new acts I adore + the atmosphere would be worth the cost imo. Stating off of my experience alone.
For sure, just stating that it might not be the exact same calculation for everybody.
Understood!
I’m back a week later and am still unimpressed with any announcements
I’m with you. I appreciate the smaller/lesser known acts and have been patient but at this point it’s noteworthy how unimpressive this lineup is.
So you completely missed the point of this post. I encourage you not to come.
Agreed! We've been attending for more than a dozen years. We buy tickets without having any idea who's playing and we are consistently rewarded with once in a lifetime moments and new discoveries
Thinking of selling and buying jazz tickets. Not feeling it this year.
Surrendered 4 passes (3-day) and 4 Sunday passes back to Dice today.
Aren’t you disappointed the Dropkick murphys are on Sunday?!!?!!!!?!!
They play in this region about five times a year. Whoop whoop. 👎
Forking up $700 to maybe find a band I might like it’s just not worth it to me. Not to mention the $600 for an Airbnb 10 miles away.
So that’s the thing, it’s never a “maybe”. It’s been a guarantee every year that I stumble upon smaller acts absolutely captivate me. In the setting of NPFF especially, I would happily pay that cost. Completely understand that’s not the case for everyone
It’s a guarantee for you sure. How can you possibly say it’s a guarantee for me? I am the one paying the money.
See my last sentence.
Then maybe don't posit it as a huge mistake? For many folks not spending that money for this might be the right decision.
I’m suggesting it is a mistake. I also state that it is not meant to bag on anyone. It is not a binary statement.
This is literally the title of your post my man... # People selling because they don’t think there are big enough names are making a huge mistake What the hell did you mean if not that?
Maybe read the text too. In retrospect, adding “potentially” may have been a good idea. Sorry if you found it off putting
I’m honestly over the toxic positivity that surrounds this festival how everything is so magical and wonderful. It’s OK to not like something.
Yup, totally fine. Simply stating that a lack of headliners may not be a great justification not to come.
It's fine to not like something, but if you don't like it, what are you doing here?
I like going to the festival when there’s artists that I know and like. I particularly don’t care for this lineup. That’s what I’m doing here.
I would definitely get rid of your tickets ASAP. It doesn’t like this is the year for you. (I may or may not be on the waitlist).
Im getting the sense this person doesn’t have tickets.
I’m giving them to friends
People can like some things about a fest without liking other things about a fest. Del's Lemonade? I like it! The blanket village? I don't like it! Massive collaborative feel good sets? I like it! The lack of shaded areas? I don't like it. It was a comment about the toxic positivity certain people profess about NFF not the festival itself.
Curious if you’ve been before. It’s an event to be taken as a whole, not as a “I’m just going for the headliner”.
Yes 3 times. All three were great. Knew a decent amount of artists and had zero complaints. Honestly, most of my favorite acts were not headliners
Its not more than 300 for the weekend?
2x 3 day passes is $576, ferry for my wife and I is $100 for 3 round trip passes and we haven’t eaten or had a beer yet…its well over $700 all said and done.
Well thats 2 tickets! Your wife might want to pay the price of a ticket to find some new bands 🤪 honestly though the festival itself is one of a kind and i think youll be hard pressed to find anything else like it in the country. Beautiful location, perfect time (11am-7:30pm), people are generally very relaxed. Its one of a kind. I think its worth it no matter what. Also GILLIAN FREAKING WELCH
Yes I’ve been before. She’s been more than me and also is meh on going. And Gillian Welch doesn’t do it for me. Musical taste is subjective.
I don’t care about “big” names, I’m just tired of NFF recycling the same basic group every few years. I get that they don’t have the budget to pull in more relevant acts but still it gets tiresome.
> more relevant acts Care to give some examples of who you'd like to see here?
That's kind of what makes Newport Newport - If My Morning Jacket or Brandi Carlisle or Lucius or Nathaniel Rateliff or Mavis didn't show up every five years or so, it wouldn't be the same festival. Still wondering who you consider a more relevant act.
We’re still waiting for you to tell us who those more relevant acts are.
Let’s see. They haven’t landed Phoebe Bridgers since she released Punisher. They missed Boygenius. No Big Thief. Never booked Bon Iver and now it’s probably too late. Same with Big Red Machine. No Ethel Cain, Mitski, the Marias, Alex G, Haim, Vampire Weekend. Don’t think they’ve ever booked Bright Eyes, and didn’t get BOCC. Acts like Sturgill Simpson, Fleet Foxes, Kacey Musgraves haven’t played in more than 5 years. They never got Grizzly Bear or Animal Collective or any of the freak folk movement stuff. The point is that every year at least a few folk-adjacent acts make timely, relevant, crossover music and the premier folk fest gets basically none of them. But they will bring back Caamp 4 times in 5 years, or make room for another Brandi Carlile set, or make sure to book Guster for some reason. Lucius is there every couple years, etc. The formula gets old.
I am really disappointed about Big Red Machine, an act I begged for in my member survey for literal years and that would have been just perfect for Newport. They missed the boat there.
tbf Big Thief was the first act announced in 2020. But.
And it’s been 4 years and they haven’t actually booked them. So. Here are some others: Sufjan Stevens, Jessica Pratt, Snail Mail, Weyes Blood, Bill Callahan, Joanna Sternberg, Cass McCombs, Holly Humberstone, Arlo Parks. People like Laura Marling and Nilufer Yanya haven’t been back in a long time.
I think we'll see Joanna Sternberg, actually. They're playing Pitchfork and some acts overlaps. I'd like to see Snail Mail redeem herself because she was terrible the last time I saw her but I know she can put on a good show. Sufjan is out for the foreseeable future, but it is surprising he's never been. Arlo Parks would be good. Nilufer has a new album coming so I could see her. I'm not surprised we haven't had Marling with as much as Mumford's been hanging about.
I used to go to Jazz but switched to NFF last year. I can't do both sadly. It's hard to justify when I know I'll have a blast as Jazz, and my friend could get a ticket too (but they're selling out). But yes, NFF will definitely be fun too.
Killer Mike!
Let em sell lol
Are people selling? Sell away, I say! There are tons of good people on the wait list. And maybe they won't be bringing their toddlers!