On Luke Combs Playing the Newport Folk Festival

Random Notes 21 Comments


When recently naming the Newport Folk Festival the 7th Best Festival in all of country and roots music, one of the top selling points was how performing at the festival is a “white whale” moment for many artists. For the unaware, “white whale” refers to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, and the primary character’s obsession at achieving something just out of reach.

The reason Newport Folk is so prestigious is the history the festival comes with. Now in its 66th year, it’s where Bob Dylan went electric. It’s where Johnny Cash introduced Kris Kristofferson to the world. It’s where Joni Mitchell made her triumphant return. It’s where a few years ago, you could see Tyler Childers join the Turnpike Troubadours to sing John Prine’s “Paradise.” Moments like these seem to happen every year in Newport.

Where does someone like Luke Combs fit into all of this? We’re about to find out after he was recently announced as one of the performers on the 2025 Newport Folk lineup in late July. This has definitely drawn curiosity from many of the Newport Folk faithful, and for some, downright ire that someone of Luke’s ilk would be included on their beloved lineup.

But folks fans shouldn’t be angry, and here’s why. Yes, Luke Combs is one of the largest names in popular country music, and in all of music for that matter. It’s really only Morgan Wallen who puts up more consistent consumption numbers in country, with honorable mentions to Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, and a surging Zach Top. But from the very beginning, Combs has always proven to go deeper than the surface with his music, even if that’s not what you’ll hear from him on the radio.

First, Combs has always been a strong champion of independent country and roots artists, directly using his platform to promote important performers, from Billy Strings early on, to Amanda Shires and Leon Bridges in collaborations, to important songwriters like Brent Cobb, Rob Snyder, Channing Wilson, Erik Dylan, and others.

Luke Combs has been a huge supporter of The Wilder Blue, who Combs first read about here on Saving Country Music, and then performed “Seven Bridges Road” with them and took them out on tour, similar to what he’s done for Flatland Cavalry and other non-radio country bands. Combs concurred with Saving Country Music when it came to naming “Ships in the Harbor” by Tommy Prine (John Prine’s son) the Song of the Year in 2022. Luke Combs is dialed into what is happening in the country and roots realm.

Then of course there was Luke’s championing of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” making it the Song of the Summer in 2023, introducing it to an entirely new generation, earning Chapman CMA Awards, and culminating in a performance of the song with Chapman herself on the 2024 Grammy Awards.


Some are surmising that Luke Combs being added to the Newport lineup is to facilitate Tracy Chapman showing up to have a similar moment. The reclusive Chapman has been in the press a lot lately. Folks should probably not get ahead of themselves with that theory, but collaboration has been at the heart of the Luke Combs phenomenon since the beginning.

Luke last album Fathers & Sons was his most heartfelt, and greatest album yet. On cue, it was also his worst performing commercially, and the label has released no singles from it, even though “The Man He Sees In Me” hit #13 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

In 2022, Saving Country Music claimed Luke Combs was the “Leader Mainstream Country Needs.” He is the healthy alternative to the Morgan Wallen’s of the world. Does he fit with the Newport Folk Festival vibe? Not exactly, but let’s see what he has in store. He’s earned that privilege, and should have the right to knock off a bucket list moment in his career no different than any other performer.

The fact that Luke Combs even wants to play the Newport Folk Festival for a massive pay cut is one of the primary reasons he should be allowed to, and the Newport peanut gallery should give him a chance. Through booking Luke Combs, is Newport giving away a chance to an up-and-comer who could better benefit for it? Yes it is, and this is the one fair criticism. But it’s Luke’s presence at the fest that could elevate all the other performers from the increased interest, just like he’s done throughout his career.

It’s also imperative that Luke Combs cater his performance to the venue and audience, which frankly, mainstream folks rarely do when they get booked by independent festivals. Know your place. If you come out and simply play the hits, it’s not going to be what the audience wants. But you also have to be yourself, which Combs can do and still endear himself to that audience. But none of this feels like advice Luke Combs needs to hear.

We hear about “Gatekeeping” in country music all the time, but it’s often scenes like the Newport Folk Festival that are guilty of this charge more than anywhere else. Remember, it was Pete Seeger who tried to take an ax to the power cord at Newport when Dylan went electric. Though some, if not many are complaining about the Luke Combs booking, these same people praise it when indie rock performers who are the farthest thing from folk get booked on a regular basis.

If you only know Luke Combs through the big radio hits, you might look sideways at his inclusion in the Newport Folk Fest lineup. But those in country music who’ve been paying attention to his career from the beginning don’t need a history lesson. Luke Combs has at least earned a Newport Folk berth if he wants it. And with his history of collaboration, and the history of collaboration at Newport Folk, it could result in magic.

– – – – – – – –

If you enjoyed this article, consider leaving Saving Country Music A TIP.

© 2025 Saving Country Music

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,