The Newport Folk Festival recently won the 25th Annual Pollstar award for Music Festival of the Year.  Pollstar is the only trade publication that covers the concert industry worldwide.  For 30 years, they have been a fountain of information for concert promoters, booking agents, managers, facility execs and other live entertainments executives.  Each year, Pollstar invites a group of international music professionals to come up with nominations for the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards.  These awards honor artists, managers, buyers, venues and support services.  Winners are determined by votes from the readership of Pollstar.  This year’s awards were held on February 21st, 2014 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

The Newport Folk Festival won Music Festival of the Year, beating out the Boston Calling Music Festival, Electric Forest Festival, Hardly Stictly Bluegrass, and the Treasure Island Music Festival.  This is the second year in a row that The Newport Folk Festival has won this award.

The Newport Folk Festival has been around since 1959, when it was founded by George Wein.  The festival became known for introducing some major stars in the Folk world, such as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.  This festival stretches the boundaries of folk music, incorporating blues, raggae, rock and indie artists to its lineup.  Some of the most notable performances of the festival throughout the years have been Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, the Pixies, Pete Seeger, and The Avett Brothers.  Thanks to the work of George Wein and the Newport Festivals Foundation, the Newport Folk Festival will continue for years to come.

This year’s festival will be held July 25th through the 27th at Fort Adams.  Tickets generally sell out early.  The lineup for this year is still in the works, however some performers have already been announced.  So far – Band of Horses, Jenny Lewis, The Devil Makes Three, Death Vessel, Nickle Creek, Shovels & Rope, Houndmouth, The Oh Hellos, Benjamin Booker, Mavis Staples and Hurray for the Riff Raff – have been added to this years lineup.  Check out www.newportfolk.org for more information about the festival and additions to the lineup.