Beck Covers Bob Dylan & Roots Greats At Surprise Newport Folk Festival Set

Beck played an unannounced set on Friday at the first day of this year’s Newport Folk Festival. The singer-songwriter devoted the first half of his performance to covering songs honoring the roots of the legendary event.

The set came amid Beck's orchestral tour and saw him joined by a four-piece band. Beck played the Quad Stage at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island on Friday, marking his third appearance at the Newport Folk Festival following performances in 2013 and 2021.

Beck and his band kicked off the brief but memorable set with a rollicking take on Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm.” Dylan performed the song while playing electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Beck then paid tribute to roots musician Fred Neil by covering “The Other Side Of The Life” before fitting Jimmie Rodgers’ “Waiting For A Train” between versions of traditional songs “John Hardy” and “Stag Lee.”

The last four songs of Beck’s sets were originals. Beck paired Sea Change gems “The Golden Age” and “Lost Cause” and then looked back at his early days for a medley of “Loser” and “One Foot In The Grave.”

Check out fan-shot footage of Beck performing “Maggie’s Farm” and “Loser” below:

Beck concludes his symphonic tour tonight (July 29) and tomorrow (July 30) with two nights at Carnegie Hall in New York City featuring the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.