[newportfolk] Justin Townes Earle "They Killed John Henry," live from the Quad stage

It was no small order following Trampled By Turtles on the Quad stage this afternoon at Newport Folk -- what with their packed-out, continuously-growing crowd overflowing far beyond the shaded tent space and deep into the grass, their spirited bluegrass ease, and cover of The Pixies "Where Is My Mind." But JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE did that and then some, making up for last year's cancellation after he apparently cut up his hand in some freak accident (Elvis Perkins filled in. And admirably). Here, the young-but-seasoned Americana-folk prodigy delivers "They Killed John Henry," the second in a 14-song set sandwiched between them aforementioned Turtles and indie-folk darlings Middle Brother.

It was one button-top ace-top afternoon on the quad.