Photos by Dean Budnick

The second half of Newport’s six-day Folk On event began on Monday, July 26, continuing a myriad of performances and collaborations for the folkies in attendance.

M.C. Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger played a “Hiss Solo Show” and welcomed plenty of guests including Erin Rae, Allison Russell, Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith, and JT Nero. Taylor also played the Grateful Dead’s “Bertha” with Aoife O’Donovan.

Middle Brother reunited for their second set of the festival and performed fan favorites “Blue Eyes” and “Million Dollar Bill,” along with many other original songs. They also brought on Kelly Winrich of Delta Spirit for a cover of the band’s track “California.”

Aoife O’Donovan shared a stage again with Dawes drummer Griffin Goldsmith during her performance and was joined by Taylor Ashton and Lake Street Dive singer Rachael Price. Fruit Bats’ guests included Josh Kaufman and Annie Nero and Anaïs Mitchell. Ben Gibbard also played a set flush with Death Cab for Cutie favorites and hits.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats were the afternoon’s “TBA” to make up for set lost to rain on Friday. Billy Strings played his set solo which featured; “Dust in a Baggie,” “Taking Water” into “Ice Bridges,” “Wargasm,” and more. The crowd jumped out of their seats at the end of the show leading to an encore which is quite rare for the folk festival.

Headliners Chris and Rich Robinson were perhaps the day’s most highly-anticipated performers, playing a 50-minute acoustic set as Brothers of a Feather. They opened with “Jealous Again” and continued to play Black Crowes hits from “Oh Josephine” to “Thorn in My Pride” full with harmonica and raw vocals.

Check out the Brothers of a Feather performance of “She Talks to Angels” via YouTuber Dale Martin below: