Plus: Luke Combs Eyes Folk Territory With Summer Festival Run Including Newport Folk Festival Debut
At JamFest, we’re all about celebrating moments where music history is made — and tonight, we’re revisiting one of the most powerful live performances in modern folk memory. Brandi Carlile’s legendary 2008 set at the Newport Folk Festival is getting the spotlight it deserves, rebroadcast in full on All Things Considered Live.
This is more than just a look back — it’s a soul-stirring reminder of what makes live music unforgettable. And in a twist of beautiful symmetry, this summer brings country powerhouse Luke Combs to that very same stage — as he prepares to make his Newport Folk Festival debut on July 28.
🌊 A Newport Moment: Brandi Carlile, 2008 — Raw, Resonant, and Revolutionary
Recorded live on August 3, 2008, Brandi Carlile’s Newport Folk Festival performance was a defining moment in the folk revival movement. Before the Grammy wins and stadium tours, she delivered a vulnerable, unfiltered set that showcased the full force of her artistry — a magnetic blend of strength, sorrow, and spiritual grace.
And now, thanks to All Things Considered Live, you can relive that moment as it happened. With every note, Carlile invites you into her world — stripped down, deeply personal, and achingly real.
🎤 The Setlist That Stopped Time
Here’s what you’ll hear tonight in this masterful 9-song performance:
- “What Can I Say” – A warm, introspective opener.
- “Late Morning Lullaby” – Carlile’s voice shimmers with vulnerability and power.
- “My Song” – Personal and haunting in all the right ways.
- “Cannonball” – Harmony-rich and emotionally arresting.
- “Have You Ever” – Quietly devastating.
- “Turpentine” – Grit, fire, and defiant energy.
- “The Story” – Her breakout anthem, delivered with breathtaking honesty.
- “Folsom Prison Blues” – A high-octane tribute to Johnny Cash.
- “Hallelujah” – Her rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic is flat-out transcendent.
Whether you’ve followed Carlile’s career since the early days or you’re hearing this performance for the first time, it’s a striking reminder of how the Newport Folk Festival continues to shape careers and redefine genres.
📡 All Things Considered Live: Tuning Into the Soul of American Music
All Things Considered Live goes beyond the studio — capturing performances in their rawest, most meaningful form. These sessions, recorded across legendary venues and grassroots spaces alike, tap into the deep, emotional current of American music.
Tonight’s episode honors the roots and growth of a genre that thrives on connection — and sets the stage for what’s coming next.
🌟 Luke Combs Prepares to Step Into Folk History at Newport This July
Speaking of what’s next — country superstar Luke Combs is gearing up for a bold summer run of shows aimed at expanding the genre’s boundaries and audience. One of the most exciting dates on his calendar? July 28 at the Newport Folk Festival.
“The next frontier is… Newport Folk Festival,” Combs shared recently. “I want to embrace people who want to destigmatize country music.”
This marks a significant and symbolic step for Combs, who has long expressed admiration for the storytelling and traditions that define folk and Americana. While best known for his chart-topping hits in mainstream country, his upcoming Newport appearance signals a broader intent — to bridge audiences, challenge genre stereotypes, and honor the heritage of live, roots-driven music.
“I respect the traditions of the Newport Folk Festival,” Combs added. “This is a space where I want to show people what country can be — raw, real, and connected.”
His inclusion in this year’s lineup is a clear sign that Newport continues to evolve, inviting new voices into its legacy while staying true to its soul.
🎧 Why It All Matters — Then and Now
Tonight’s Brandi Carlile broadcast, and Luke Combs’ upcoming set, both point to the enduring relevance of Newport Folk Festival as a cultural catalyst. It’s where careers blossom, genres blur, and authenticity reigns. Whether it’s 2008 or 2025, this festival reminds us that live music isn’t just performance — it’s transformation.
So, whether you’re tuning in tonight for Brandi’s seminal set or planning your summer with Luke Combs on your radar, know this: JamFest is your front row seat to it all.
🔊 Tune In Tonight:
Brandi Carlile’s 2008 Newport Folk Festival Set
📻 All Things Considered Live
⏰ Tonight on JamFest Radio
🎶 Hear the set that helped launch an icon
Want more rare performances, breaking artist news, and festival coverage that gets to the heart of the sound? Stay with JamFest — where every show tells a story, and every artist has a place.
🎶 Live music lives here.