The Newport Folk Festival, which kicked off last Friday in Newport, Rhode Island, hosted some stellar performances including the set of Lucius. During the performance, the group payed tribute to the recently deceased Richard Swift (The Black Keys, The Shins, The Arcs) by collaborating with Brandi Carlile, Nicole Atkins and Bedouine in a moving cover of Swift’s “Most of What I Know” which the artist released in 2006 on Dressed Up For the Letdown.
The 41-year-old Swift passed away July 3, Pitchfork reports, in Tacoma, Washington following admittance to a hospice facility. His family later revealed his cause of death in a statement posted to Swift’s Facebook page, saying, “Yes, Richard Swift suffered from alcohol addiction, and it’s ultimately what took his life.” The statement goes on to say the artist suffered from complications due to hepatitis as well as liver and kidney failure. Additionally, the family shared Swift had been working on new material they hoped to share in the future.
Lucius released their fourth studio album, Nudes, last March and have been touring in support of their recent LP. The group have also toured with Roger Waters, whom they met at the Newport festival. During an interview with CBS, vocalist Jess Wolfe says of the encounter, “Jay Sweet, who runs Newport called us up and said Roger is doing a surprise set, and he’s lookin’ for some singers, and you’re the ones. Can you do it? That show was incredibly special… Just an unforgettable moment and afterwards, he wrote us and said we’re brothers and sisters now, let’s do this again.”
Lucius have upcoming shows this September in Portland, Seattle, Austin, Dallas and Atlanta. Watch footage of their tribute to Richard Swift below.
Photo Credit: Kalyn Oyer
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