Folk Festival Sells Out In Advance For The First Time Ever

Thanks to music fans across the country, the 2011 is sold out, it was announced today by George Wein and the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™   Two weeks in advance of its July 30-31 dates, the iconic festival is sold out on Saturday and Sunday, the first time in history that both days have sold out in advance. Ten thousand fans per day will celebrate the music at

"We thank all of the folk music fans for buying tickets in advance and showing their love for the great musicians that are booked on this year's festival," said George Wein, Producer of the Newport Folk Festival and Chairman of the Board of the Newport Festivals Foundation. "In 2004, the festival sold out when Bob Dylan returned to Newport and in many years, including 2010, the festival has come very close to reaching its maximum limit of 10,000 people per day.   The Newport Festivals Foundation, producers Jay Sweet and Bob Jones and I salute the music lovers who will join us in Newport and those who support the music all year long."

"There's no doubt that the fans, especially our online social network, are owed a great deal of thanks," added Sweet. "Our Folk can certainly share in the excitement and each and every one of them can say he or she helped to make it happen. This includes the festival artists who should be applauded as well.  It's their willingness to play our festival by the sea that makes our job a lot easier. Our family of Newport Folk Festival supporters continues to grow each year, and the communal spirit is really what makes this such a 'folktastic' festival."

This year's festival features: The Decemberists, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Gillian Welch, Amos Lee, Earl Scruggs, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Gogol Bordello, M. Ward, Wanda Jackson, Mavis Staples, Tegan & Sara, The Felice Brothers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Justin Townes Earle, Delta Spirit, Middle Brother, The Wailin' Jennys, Freelance Whales, The Secret Sisters, Trampled by Turtles, The Civil Wars, The Head & The Heart, Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, The Cave Singers, What Cheer? Brigade, Mountain Man, David Wax Museum, Devil Makes Three, Song Circle with Dar Williams Ellis Paul John Gorka & Liz Queler, Typhoon, Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, Chris Thile & Michael Daves, The Seeger Clogging All-Stars, BrownBird, River City Extension and PS22 Chorus.