The Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers Light Up Newport Folk Festival 2013

When The Avett Brothers took the stage at the Newport Folk Festival in July 2013, they didn’t just perform — they ignited something deeper. With harmonies that cut through the Rhode Island summer air like a front porch sermon, and lyrics that felt handwritten for every soul in the crowd, this performance has since become one of Newport’s most memorable modern moments.

A decade later, we’re still feeling the aftershocks.

🎤 A Band That Bridges Eras

By the time they rolled into Newport in 2013, The Avett Brothers were already carrying the torch for a new generation of folk rockers. Their sound — a warm blend of bluegrass roots, raw Americana grit, and soul-baring songwriting — felt both timeless and refreshingly honest.

Newport, with its rich tradition of elevating truth-tellers and boundary-pushers, was the perfect backdrop. And in front of a packed Fort Adams field, the band didn’t hold back.

🎶 The Set That Soared

From the opening chords, it was clear — this wasn’t going to be a quiet evening. Their set was a masterclass in dynamics: tender acoustic numbers followed by foot-stomping crescendos, and stripped-down ballads melting into full-band explosions.

Fan favorites like:

• “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise”

• “I and Love and You”

• “Live and Die”

• “Laundry Room”

…were all delivered with the heart-on-sleeve urgency that’s come to define The Avett Brothers’ live experience.

And let’s not forget the harmonies — Scott and Seth Avett’s voices, raw and real, rose and fell like waves, washing over the crowd in moments of reflection and release. Backed by Bob Crawford on bass and Joe Kwon on cello, their performance was as tight as it was unfiltered.

Newport gave them the space, and The Avetts filled it with truth.

🌊 A Festival with Legacy

The Newport Folk Festival has long been hallowed ground — the same stage where Bob Dylan plugged in, where Pete Seeger preached peace, and where generations of artists have redefined what it means to be "folk."

In 2013, The Avett Brothers weren’t just playing that legacy — they were continuing it. Their performance was a living, breathing reminder that folk isn’t a genre. It’s a feeling. It’s about storytelling, connection, and singing like your life depends on it.

📻 Tonight on All Things Considered Live

To relive the electricity of that unforgettable performance, tune in tonight to All Things Considered Live, NPR Music’s curated collection of transformative live recordings from coast to coast.

Each episode captures the soul of the stage — and this one takes you back to that magical day in July 2013 when The Avett Brothers brought Fort Adams to its feet.

From intimate clubs to festival fields, All Things Considered Live transports audiences to the front row — no ticket required. It’s music without walls, delivered with the urgency and intimacy that only live performance can bring.

🔥 The Avett Effect

Even ten years later, The Avett Brothers’ Newport set continues to resonate — not just because of what they played, but how they played. They reminded us that folk music, at its best, isn’t just heard — it’s felt. It doesn’t just entertain — it connects.

At JamFest, we salute artists who bring their full selves to the stage — artists like The Avetts, who prove that vulnerability is powerful, and live music can still change the way we see the world.

Still chasing the feeling?
So are we.

Keep listening. Keep feeling. Keep it live.

JamFest — Where music remembers, and you never miss the moment.