Jack Antonoff and Bleachers bring The Ally Coalition Talent Show to Newport Folk Festival

Jack Antonoff and Bleachers headlined Friday night at the Newport Folk Festival, bringing a few friends along for the ride. Their set, titled “Jack Antonoff and Bleachers Present: The Ally Coalition Talent Show at Newport,” was a special edition of the annual benefit concert Antonoff co-hosts with his sister Rachel every December. The show typically features a mix of artists and comedians, all performing to raise money for The Ally Coalition, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth. This time, they brought that same spirit of collaboration and cause-driven performance to the Newport stage.

Bleachers kicked off the set with a handful of their own hits, including “91,” “Rollercoaster,” and “Goodmorning.” The first guest to join them on stage was Weyes Blood, who teamed up with the band for a dreamy cover of “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” Next up was Waxahatchee, joining Antonoff and company for a spirited rendition of Roy Orbison’s classic “You Got It.” Covers like these are a beloved tradition at Newport, where surprise collaborations and reinterpretations often steal the show. Continuing the spirit of collaboration, Antonoff then welcomed Dan Reeder and his daughter Peggy to perform Reeder’s song “Maybe.”

Antonoff followed with a solo rendition of Bleachers’ hit “I Wanna Get Better,” introducing it by revealing he originally wrote the song “as a folk song but produced it really loud to hide behind it.” The stripped-down performance offered a rare, tender moment in the set — a quiet pause before the energy surged once again. That momentum came with their next guest, Maren Morris, who joined Antonoff for a powerful cover of Bleachers’ deep cut “Don’t Go Dark.” Despite facing canceled flights and weather delays, Morris made it to Newport just in time to deliver a high-octane performance that lit up the stage.

Following Morris, Rufus Wainwright took the stage to perform Bleachers’ song “45” alongside the band, then offered his own rendition of Bob Dylan’s classic “Not Dark Yet.” For the Dylan cover, the band stepped back and let Wainwright take the spotlight solo. His performance, marked by rich vocals and emotive phrasing, stood out as a highlight of the evening. Wainwright’s appearance added a touch of gravitas to the set, showcasing the festival’s tradition of blending contemporary artists with timeless songwriting.

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco followed with a performance of Lana Del Rey’s “Margaret,” a song she recorded with Bleachers that was inspired by Antonoff’s wife, actress Margaret Qualley. Tweedy and Antonoff had previously performed the track together during a Bleachers show in Chicago last summer, making its Newport appearance a reunion of sorts. After “Margaret,” the band shifted into Wilco’s own catalog, performing the early-2000s track “Kamera.” The pairing highlighted the blend of personal storytelling and collaborative spirit that defined much of the night’s setlist.

The final guest of the night was Hayley Williams of Paramore, whose introduction by Antonoff was met with roaring applause from the crowd. Williams delivered the live debut of her new solo track, “Mirtazapine,” backed by Bleachers. The audience’s excitement only grew as Bleachers then joined Williams for a joyful, energetic cover of Modern English’s “Melt With You.” Both performances ignited the crowd, who responded with enthusiastic cheers and applause throughout.

To close the show, Bleachers performed their renowned cover of The Waterboys classic “The Whole of the Moon,” followed by their hit song “Modern Girl.” The set finale captured the spirit of the evening—blending nostalgia, collaboration, and energetic performances. As the crowd sang along and the festival lights dimmed, it was clear that this special Newport Folk Festival moment would be remembered for years to come.

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