The Newport Folk Festival has announced the Brooklyn based indie rock band Big Thief as its first new artist for its upcoming 2020 lineup, which will take place at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island from July 31st to August 1st. The band is scheduled to perform on the first day of the music festival.

ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT: @bigthiefmusic is returning to the Fort this summer! @newportfestsorg has made a donation on behalf of Big Thief to @DanielsMusicFdn which empowers individuals with developmental and physical disabilities through music. Learn more: https://t.co/IRzK21Vexl pic.twitter.com/n9U2q2gHEw

— Newport Folk Fest (@Newportfolkfest) January 7, 2020

Big Thief is composed of  Adrianne Lenker on guitar and lead vocals, Buck Meek on guitar and backing vocals, Max Oleartchik on bass, and James Krivchenia on drums. Their debut album Masterpiece came out in 2016 via Saddle Creek records. The group released two albums in 2019, U.F.O.F. and Two Hands which were both released via 4AD.

U.F.O.F. featured a folk-rock sound with sincere songwriting and calming instrumentals with creative instrumentation. Their song from that album, “Orange,” was featured on our 50 best songs of 2019.

“Big Thief knocks it out of the park and out of the atmosphere with this delicate, polished, and relatable musical powerhouse, the twelve-track album that is U.F.O.F.,” mxdwn reviewer Henry piper explained.

Their follow up project, Two Hands takes a bare-bones approach for its instrumentals.

“Two Hands highlights this fortunate teaming of abilities and artistic sense while remaining grounded and organic sounding,” mxdwn reviewer Willie Witten explained. “Dark and brooding at times, but rich with sound, it is a good listen.