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💡 TLDR
Hayley Williams basically turned Newport Folk Fest into a massive indie reunion, bringing out heavy hitters like Jack Antonoff and Lucy Dacus! From first-ever live performances to a star-studded "Lean on Me" finale, this set was pure main character energy.
📑 Quick Jump
Obsessed is an understatement—Hayley Williams just turned Newport Folk Fest into the ultimate indie music crossover event. Her “Hayley Williams & Friends” set at Fort Adams State Park felt less like a standard performance and more like a massive, high-stakes reunion for every music nerd in attendance. She didn’t just show up; she brought the entire industry with her.
A Star Studded Setlist
The crowd was immediately locked in when she kicked things off with the title track from her 2025 album, “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party.” It wasn’t long before some heavy hitters started appearing on stage. Jack Antonoff joined her for a moment that felt incredibly nostalgic, harmonizing on his own Bleachers debut single, “I Wanna Get Better,” after they shared a sweet hug. He also hopped on guitar to support her during “Good Ol’ Days.” Williams played “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris” live for the first time ever, accompanied by Lucy Dacus, which was a total core memory since Dacus originally provided background vocals on the original track. Having a member of Boygenius join her like that is pure main character energy.
💫 Williams played “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris” live for the first time ever, accompanied by Lucy Dacus,
Icons Only On Stage
The guest list was absolutely stacked, proving Hayley has the ultimate Midas touch when it comes to curation. Jenny Lewis stepped out to perform “Silver Lining,” adding those legendary Rilo Kiley layers to the performance that had everyone feeling all the emotions. With names like Remi Wolf, Joy Oladokun, and Annie DiRusso joining in, the sixteen-song set felt like one massive celebration. She even closed everything out with a group cover of the Bill Withers classic “Lean on Me,” which was the most wholesome way to end the night.
While Ms. Lauryn Hill headlined Friday too, it’s safe to say the Williams & Friends collab was the one we’ll be rewatching on Instagram for months. With heavy hitters like Brandi Carlile and Brandon Flowers still on the festival lineup, this weekend is officially peaking.
Who was your absolute favorite surprise guest from the set?
❓ People Also Ask
What artists joined Hayley Williams on stage at Newport Folk Fest?
Hayley Williams performed with a massive group of guest artists including Jack Antonoff, Lucy Dacus, and Jenny Lewis during her set. Other notable contributors to the sixteen-song performance included Remi Wolf, Joy Oladokun, and Annie DiRusso. The star-studded lineup turned the musical event into a large-scale celebration of indie music. This collaborative approach allowed Williams to showcase various styles while bringing together several influential figures from the modern music industry for one cohesive performance.
Which songs did Hayley Williams perform live with her guests?
Hayley Williams performed several special collaborations including the Bleachers single I Wanna Get Better with Jack Antonoff and Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris alongside Lucy Dacus. She also teamed up with Jenny Lewis to perform Silver Lining, adding legendary Rilo Kiley vocal layers to the track. The high-energy set concluded with a massive group cover of the Bill Withers classic Lean on Me. These performances marked significant moments for fans, such as the first live rendition of her song featuring Dacus.
How did Jack Antonoff participate in the Hayley Williams set?
Jack Antonoff participated in the performance by providing both vocal harmonies and guitar support for Hayley Williams. He joined her on stage to sing his own Bleachers debut single, I Wanna Get Better, sharing a nostalgic moment with the singer before playing along. Additionally, he stepped up to play guitar during the performance of Good Ol’ Days to support Williams. His involvement added a layer of industry prestige and nostalgia to the highly anticipated Newport Folk Fest set.
What was the title of Hayley Williams' 2025 album?
The title of Hayley Williams' 2025 album is Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party. She used this high-profile festival appearance to kick off her set with the title track from the new record, immediately capturing the attention of the Newport Folk Fest crowd. Performing new material alongside veteran artists and surprise guests helped establish the album's presence during one of the most significant musical highlights of the weekend at Fort Adams State Park.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: Billboard