Lana Del Rey’s Emotional Tribute at Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival is known as an iconic event of the Newport summers. With a hefty price tag of $500 per day and tickets selling out quickly, many people miss out on experiencing the festival firsthand. However, The Newport Daily News was able to go inside Fort Adams on the last day of the festival and witness the incredible scene.
Though the crowd was reportedly less crowded than previous days, the headliners Lana Del Rey and Billy Strings still attracted throngs of fans. Lana Del Rey’s performance was particularly memorable and filled with emotion. The crowd to see Lana Del Rey extended beyond the designated areas, with people spilling into aisles and walkways, and gathering behind fences. The standing-room-only audience at the front stood shoulder to shoulder, creating a deafening cheer as she took the stage.
Throughout her sets, Lana Del Rey was accompanied by white-clad dancers who swirled around her. The stage was adorned with a set of gold mirrors and a bouquet of white flowers, framing the singer beautifully. But it wasn’t just her striking visuals that captivated the audience; Lana Del Rey also shared a personal connection with the festival. She revealed that she had always wanted to perform at the Newport Folk Festival since she was 14 years old. And as she performed, she made a heartfelt tribute to her deceased family members, who are buried in Barrington.
In a poignant moment, Lana Del Rey called out to her father, saying, Calling from beyond the Barrington grave, I just wanna say, ‘Hi, Dad’. It was a touching gesture that resonated with the crowd and added an emotional depth to her performance. The singer, who was born in New York City, expressed her excitement to perform in her father’s hometown.
Meanwhile, not far from the main stage, Claire O’Halloran and her father Tim stood on the rocky edge of Fort Adams’ shoreline, enjoying the sounds of The Black Opry Revue on the Folk Stage. Tim O’Halloran, a longtime attendee of the festival, reminisced about his favorite show from the early days featuring Arlo Guthrie at sunset. His daughter Claire looked forward to seeing surprise performances from Brandi Carlile each year. They had made it a tradition to attend the festival, purchasing tickets for Saturday and then kayaking to Fort Adams on Sunday to relax, swim, and listen to the music on the shore.
Surrounding the main grounds of the festival, dozens of boaters had also anchored in Newport Harbor to enjoy the festival from the water. For them, being able to soak in the music while floating in the water was a unique festival experience that added to the charm of Newport Folk Festival.
Additionally, this year’s festival introduced a new addition called the Sober Tent. The tent, created by sobriety advocacy nonprofit The Phoenix in collaboration with the 1 Million Strong campaign and the Stand Together Foundation, provided a safe and alcohol-free space for festivalgoers. With non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails on offer, the tent aimed to change the culture surrounding addiction and recovery in the music business.
Bill Taylor, the music director for The Phoenix, emphasized the importance of offering options for those who choose not to drink alcohol. He praised Newport Folk Festival for providing designated spaces for drinking and creating a welcoming environment.
The Newport Folk Festival once again showcased its ability to bring together incredible musical performances, personal connections, and unique experiences. Lana Del Rey’s emotional tribute, along with the beautiful waterfront setting and the introduction of the Sober Tent, made the festival a memorable and inclusive event for music lovers from all walks of life.
