Annual summer high-point Newport Folk Festival goes down next month, and by this point in the game, the best chance one has to actually attend the sold-out Ocean State extravaganza is to perform at it. Converse is giving bands that very opportunity, partnering with Newport Folk for the second-straight year in offering free recording time in Boston and a coveted slot on the music fest’s hallowed stage.
Last year, the contest was won by Ghost of Paul Revere, Honeysuckle (pictured up top), and Ancient Cities.
Here’s word on this year’s deal:
“Since it first began in 1959, the Newport Folk Festival has brought together artists and fans for some of the most definitive live performances in music history,” Converse writes. “For the second year running, Converse Rubber Tracks is teaming up with the Newport Folk Festival to offer three emerging artists the chance to join the festival and perform live on the Newport Folk Fest Museum Stage. After the performance, the selected artists will have the opportunity to spend two days recording at the brand new Converse Rubber Tracks studio in Boston. Veteran engineer Dave Minehan of The Replacements will produce the sessions.”
The registration form closes on July 11. The three chosen bands will play Newport Folk over the weekend of July 22 to 24, then head into Converse’s Rubber Tracks studio at Lovejoy Wharf here in Boston beginning the week of July 25. Each band gets two days of studio time.
Appearing at this summer’s Newport Folk are Patti Smith, Alabama Shakes, Ryan Adams, Elvis Costello, Violent Femmes, Father John Misty, Ray Lamontagne, Middle Brother, Frightened Rabbit, Raury, Julien Baker, and many others. Full lineup is here.
