Paste's Guide to George Wein's Folk Festival 50

Published at 4:00 PM on July 31, 2009

By Kate Kiefer

Aug. 1-2

Newport, R.I.

Highlights: The Decemberists, Gillian Welch, The Avett Brothers, Pete Seeger, Iron & Wine, Arlo Guthrie, Josh Ritter, Fleet Foxes, Del McCoury Band, Neko Case

Co-founded by Pete Seeger in 1959, the Newport Folk Festival quickly became a haven for folkie purists—after all, this is the festival that made Joan Baez famous and the crowd that booed Electric Dylan. Though the fest disappeared during the ’70s and ’80s, Newport has been going strong since its 1985 return. Some aspects have changed with the times—the festival now has corporate sponsors, and the music isn’t strictly limited to folk. But the Americana spirit is alive in Rhode Island, and you can hear it evolving in artists like The Avett Brothers, Fleet Foxes, Neko Case and Josh Ritter.

Click here for the full music lineup

Stay tuned to Paste's 1,000 Words blog for photos from the festival