August 9, 2024

Conan O’Brien and Dropkick Murphys, together at last on Newport Sunday – 7/28

Newport Folk 2024’s final day offered unexpected juxtapositions galore.

__________

Each day of the modern Newport Folk Fest strives to offer variety, but this year’s closing ceremonies truly ran the gamut. From classic hip-hop to desert blues, contemporary country, Emerald Isle punk and a late-night host’s headlining set, it might’ve been one of the fest’s all-time out-there days.

My Sunday began earlier than any other day of the weekend, with a grooving 11 a.m. set at the Quad from L.A. instrumental trio La Lom – who seemed slightly in shock that an enthusiastic crowd had rolled up to see them before noon. Rising Chicago indie rock trio Friko – who we are big fans of here at Noise Floor – followed up with a nervy, energetic set (so much so that singer/guitarist Niko Kapetan knocked over a mic stand, more than once), reinforcing their status as a band to watch. The pull of the Quad then continued for one more set, as desert blues pioneers Tinariwen wove their reliably hypnotic magic.

Over at the Fort, singer/songwriter Madison Cunningham and spritely violinist/whistler/vocalist Andrew Bird teamed up to take on Buckingham Nicks, the 1973 Lindsey/Stevie joint pre-dating the duo’s Fleetwood Mac membership. Cunningham and Bird brought their own character to the (still, mysteriously) out-of-print LP, front-to-back, before performing a few of their own tunes.

A spirited Harbor set from Thao (formerly but no longer of The Get Down Stay Down) preceded Sierra Ferrell at the Fort, who brought southern style, some instantly memorable tunes and a surprise appearance from John C. Reilly to the big stage.

In a twist I’ve personally never experienced at Newports past, the final two Quad stage sets of the day removed the traditional rows of seats in favor of a GA barricade situation, which wound up being the perfect scenario for hip-hop vets De La Soul to deliver a celebratory set (once their turntable issues resolved). Now a duo consisting of MC Posdnuos and DJ (/MC) Maseo, following the untimely death of third member Trugoy the Dove last year, they were one of the weekend’s most purely joyous sets.

The reasoning for that seat removal was more clearly elucidated with the stage’s final show of the weekend from Boston institution The Dropkick Murphys. Contrary to a rumor (which I might’ve accidentally helped start), the Dropkicks did not opt for an acoustic effort focused on their recent adaptations of Woody Guthrie lyrics, but rather a full-throated, in-the-red performance that rendered them the fest’s loudest and rowdiest. Even if their Celtic punk stylings aren’t to your taste, the band puts on a pretty undeniable show. Plus, it’s always good fun to hear frontman (and noted nazi-puncher) Ken Casey introduce a song with something along the lines of “this one’s about fightin’ the KKK.”

I also caught glimpses of ex-Alabama Shakes leader Brittany Howard and bluegrass supergroup Mighty Poplar as the day wound down, while the anticipation built for one of Newport’s classic moves: a Sunday night set with a conceit vague enough that basically anything could happen.

Cult favorite former late-night host (and occasional musician) Conan O’Brien was listed as Sunday’s headliner, but it was clear that the “Real Musicians” billed alongside him would feature some familiar faces. Newport alums Dawes turned out to serve as O’Brien’s backing band, alongside his longtime music director Jimmy Vivino, and the collective ran through a range of covers and surprise appearances ranging from regulars (Langhorne Slim) to noteworthy fly-ins (power-pop icon Nick Lowe).

With the weekend’s first precipitation rolling in (just in time for Dylan’s “Buckets of Rain”) and a faulty mic tanking the comedic timing of a bit by puppet Conan sidekick Triumph, the set did not always sustain momentum. O’Brien himself, riffing on what he assumed to be a typically substance-addled festival crowd, was also clearly unfamiliar with the fact that Newport’s status as a state park-situated event with tightly-restricted beer gardens makes it nearly impossible to get drunk there. Still, further sit-ins by Howard, Nathaniel Rateliff, the great Mavis Staples and Jack White (also spotted looming not un-vampiricly above Sierra Ferrell’s set earlier in the day) brought some fun surprises to the stage as another unpredictable Folk Fest rolled to its conclusion.

Check out an extensive gallery from the day below.

La Lom: