The Best Folk Music Festivals of 2021

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Looking for a great folk music festival to attend this year? Check out our list of the best folk music festivals of 2021! From the International Folk Alliance Conference in New Orleans to the Philadelphia Folk Festival, there’s something for everyone.

Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival is an annual event that takes place in Newport, Rhode Island. The festival was founded in 1959 by George Wein and is considered to be one of the most important music events in the United States. The festival features a wide range of folk music, including bluegrass, country, and folk rock.

Location

The Newport Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1959 as a counterpart to the previously established Newport Jazz Festival. The festival is often considered one of the first modern music festivals in America and attendees have included Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie, among others.

History

The Newport Folk Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Newport, Rhode Island. The festival was founded in 1959 by musician Pete Seeger and music critic Elliot Paul. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious folk music festivals in the United States.

The festival features a wide range of folk musicians from around the world, including traditional folk musicians, singer-songwriters, bluegrass bands, and more. The festival is also known for its discussion panels, which provide a forum for discussion on a variety of topics related to folk music and culture.

The Newport Folk Festival has been held annually since 1959, with the exception of 1960, when the festival was cancelled due to weather conditions. The 2021 Newport Folk Festival is scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 1.

Music

The Newport Folk Festival is an annual music festival founded in 1959 by George Wein and produced by the Newport Jazz Festival. The festival is held every summer on historic Fort Adams State Park, in Newport, Rhode Island. The 2021 lineup includes Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Ani DiFranco and more!

Pickathon

Pickathon is one of the best folk music festivals in the United States. The festival is held in Portland, Oregon and features a wide range of folk musicians from all over the world. The festival has been praised for its eclectic lineup, its intimate setting, and its commitment to sustainability.

Location

Pickathon is held on the grounds of Pendarvis Farm, just outside Portland, Oregon. The rolling hills and natural amphitheaters of the farm provide the perfect setting for a weekend of music and camping.

History

Pickathon is an annual music festival held in North Plains, Oregon, United States, near Portland. The event features a variety of music genres on multiple stages, with a focus on independent and unknown artists. It is produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting and is held on the last weekend of August.

The event started in 1998 as a two-day festival with 20 acts and an audience of 1,500 people. Since then it has grown to include four days of music with over 100 acts and an audience of over 10,000 people. The festival has been praised for its eclectic lineup, relaxed atmosphere, and engaging experiences for attendees.

Music

Some of the best folk music festivals in the country take place in the summer months, when the weather is warm and the days are long. If you’re a fan of folk music, make sure to check out one of these festivals in 2021.

-Pickathon (Oregon)
-Newport Folk Festival (Rhode Island)
-Roskilde Festival (Denmark)
-Tanglewood Folk Festival (Massachusetts)
-Old Settler’s Music Festival (Texas)

Folk Fest

Festival season is upon us! And what better way to kick off the summer than by attending a folk music festival? Folk music is the perfect genre to enjoy outdoors with friends and family. There’s something for everyone at a folk music festival. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best folk music festivals of 2021.

Location

There are many great folk music festivals held throughout the United States each year. Here are some of the best ones to check out in 2021:

-The Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island is one of the most iconic and long-running folk festivals in the country. It features a diverse lineup of artists from around the world and has something for everyone.

-The Great Lakes Folk Festival in East Lansing, Michigan is a newer festival that has quickly become a favorite among folk fans. It features a wide range of folk music styles, from traditional to contemporary, and is held in a beautiful setting on the campus of Michigan State University.

-The Midtown Music Festival in Atlanta, Georgia is one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the Southeast. It features a mix of folk, rock, and pop music, as well as a wide variety of food and drink options.

-The Pickathon Music Festival in Portland, Oregon is one of the coolest and most unique festivals around. It’s held on a beautiful farm just outside of Portland, and features an eclectic mix of musical styles and genres, as well as camping and other outdoor activities.

History

Folk music festivals have been around for centuries, dating back to the medieval era. These festivals were usually held to celebrate religious or cultural events, and they featured a variety of music, dance, and storytelling.

Today, folk music festivals are still popular all over the world. They provide a great opportunity to experience traditional music and culture, and they’re also a lot of fun!

If you’re looking for a folk music festival to attend this year, here are some of the best ones happening around the world:

-Ireland’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is one of the largest and most well-known folk festivals in the world. It takes place every August in a different city in Ireland, and it features a wide range of traditional Irish music and dance.

– Scotland’s Celtic Connections is another large and popular folk festival. It takes place every January in Glasgow, and it features a wide range of Celtic music from all over the world.

– The Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the longest-running folk festivals in the world. It takes place every July in Cambridge, England, and it features a wide range of folk music from all over the world.

– The Newport Folk Festival is one of the most iconic folk festivals in the United States. It takes place every July in Newport, Rhode Island, and it features a wide range of Americana and roots music.

Music

Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation orally, rather than being written down. It often has simple melodies and lack complex harmony. Folk music is found in cultures all over the world and dates back to ancient times.

There are many different types of folk music, each with its own unique sound and history. Some of the most popular folk music genres include Celtic, Appalachian, British Isles, and Americana.

Celtic folk music is a genre that originated in Ireland and Scotland. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the fiddle, accordion, and bodhran (a type of drum). Celtic folk music often has a lively rhythm and is known for its healing properties.

Appalachian folk music is a genre that originated in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the banjo and fiddle. Appalachian folk music often has a slow, relaxing tempo and is known for its soulful sound.

British Isles folk music is a genre that originated in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the bagpipes and penny whistle. British Isles folk music often has a fast tempo and is known for its lively sound.

Americana folk music is a genre that originated in the United States. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the guitar, banjo, and harmonica. Americana folk music often has a patriotic or sentimental sound.

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is one of the premier folk music festivals in the country. The event takes place in the hills of western Massachusetts, and features a wide variety of folk musicians from around the world. If you’re a fan of folk music, this is one event you won’t want to miss.

Location

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is held on Dodds Farm in Hillsdale, New York, nestled in the Berkshire Mountains. The picturesque farm has been home to the festival since its inception in 1988 and provides the perfect setting for a weekend of music and camping. The mainstage is located in a natural amphitheater surrounded by woods, with camping and other activities spread out across the rest of the farm. The festival also features a second stage for more intimate performances, as well as a variety of workshops and other events.

History

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is one of the premier folk music festivals in the United States. Held annually in August in rural New York State, the festival features some of the best folk musicians from around the world.

The festival was founded in 1980 by Jim Blum and Bob Frank, two music fans who wanted to create a venue for world-class folk musicians. The first Falcon Ridge Folk Festival was held on a farm in Goshen, New York, and featured artists such as Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Joan Baez.

Since its inception, the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival has become one of the most highly-anticipated events on the folk music calendar. Every year, the festival attracts thousands of music lovers from all over the world. If you’re looking for a truly unique and memorable musical experience, the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is not to be missed!

Music

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is one of the premier folk music festivals in the United States. Held annually in late July in Hillsdale, New York, the event attracts some of the most well-known and respected folk musicians from around the world.

In addition to featuring top-notch musical performances, the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival also offers a variety of other activities, including workshops, jam sessions, and opportunities to purchasing crafts from local artisans.

Although the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is primarily a music event, it also serves as a celebration of the area’s rich cultural heritage. The festival takes place on the grounds of Dodds Farm, which has been owned by the same family for more than 200 years.

If you’re a fan of folk music, or simply looking for a unique and enjoyable summer festival to attend, be sure to add the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival to your list!

MerleFest

MerleFest is an annual four-day music festival that takes place in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The festival was founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of American music icon Doc Watson. MerleFest features a diverse lineup of traditional and contemporary folk, bluegrass, country, Americana, roots rock, and blues artists.

Location

MerleFest is held annually in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The four-day music festival features a diverse lineup of musical acts, ranging from folk and bluegrass to rock and country. In addition to the musical performances, MerleFest also offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including an on-site camping ground and a kids’ play area.

History

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of American music icon Doc Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of bluegrass, folk, country and rockabilly. The festival is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Over the years, the festival has evolved to include a wider range of musical styles while still maintaining its roots in traditional music. In recent years, headliners have included Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers, John Prine, The Avett Brothers, Willie Nelson & Family, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas and many more.

With over 90 acts performing on 13 stages over 4 days, MerleFest is one of the largest and most diverse music festivals in the country. In addition to the main stage performances, there are also workshops and panel discussions featuring some of the biggest names in music.

Music

MerleFest is an annual music festival held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The Festival is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, which includes bluegrass, old-time, gospel, Cajun, blues, jazz, and rockabilly. The festival is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College.

The brainchild of musician Doc Watson and agent Randall Marshawn, MerleFest was first held in 1988 as a one-day event to honor the memory of Eddy Merle Watson, Doc’s son who had died in a farm accident earlier that year. The event has grown over the years and now hosts over 80 acts on 13 stages over 4 days.

Noted performers who have played at MerleFest over the years include Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Earl Scruggs, John Prine, Dolly Parton, Steve Earle, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas.

Similar Posts