Carnival, Natalie Merchant, Clusterfolk, Newport Folk Festival, 7/23/2022

Natalie Merchant performs the song “Carnival“ from her 1995 album Tigerlily.
Erik Della Penna accompanies her on guitar.
This performance was part of the set called “Clusterfolk” at Newport Folk Festival July 23, 2022.

[@WoodlandT]

Wow, I’ve missed her voice. She was such a part of my earlier, younger days. What a strange sensation nostalgia is, a mixture of pleasure and pain that’s hard to reconcile

[@dogwomanhere]

the bitch of aging. I feel same way esp w/ Joni Mitchell.

[@brennanbourne]

Perfect way to describe it!

[@GraemeMarkNI]

Hey she’s still alive and sounding great!

[@FacheChanteDeux]

One of the greatest singers of all time.

[@bbingtube]

The energy and punch her vocal has is only deepening with time.

[@paulbrillinger2539]

Please Natalie, put out another album. Your voice has always been an inspiration to me, so beautiful.

[@vogeltje]

Well, that was a good wish :D

[@devistarliteyoga]

a little falsetto is all it takes?! hahaha THANK YOU for this

[@Sometimes_Always]

Would love to see her sing and dance like days of yesteryear 🙂 It's been 30+ years since I saw her when she was with 10,000 Maniacs...

[@madamemeng884]

Loved her dancing to "My Mother the War". Made me a fan forever.

[@mrslonewolf1]

Nobody can come close to Natalie!!! She's amazing!!

[@PlugIntoSybie]

I'm trying to understand why tears always roll down my face when I listen to Natalie's live performances. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@raymondjohnson4779]

As a black man at 62. I remember when I first heard her on Tiger Lily and said she's special. You are dead if her lyrics don't touch you. I've always leaned towards the musicians that sing their truths. Oh and before you haters come for me. My mother was white. When it was so not popular at the time. Natalie's voice is a treasure.:)

[@alic2087]

Beautiful Natalie!!!!! She’s pure gold!!!

[@robertcushman7002]

so nice to see you again old friend! missed you lots! cheers 🍸 🍸🍸🏳️‍🌈

[@vivianfonseca5846]

Love you Natalie!!!!!! ❤

[@eddiepelosi6136]

Absolutely love this woman... What a voice what a talent... Superb!

[@cbgreely]

So refreshing to hear the real stuff again! She sounds SO great!

[@avenarosesantoro5655]

OMG OMG SOMEDAY PLEASE GOD!!! I MUST MEET HER! LOVE CAROLYN KING BELLINGHAM WASHINGTON

[@chrisgleason1344]

Beautiful- thank you for sharing.

[@melaniamonicacraciun9900]

Let only music rule the world fans, let it sound just this good, thank you sharing...this reminds me my childhood and it's such a great feeling indeed

[@JeffLaserstein]

Beautiful

[@rustymac40]

I saw here in DC in 1995 I think. She still sounds absulutely amazing!

[@taddyd1]

Mesmerizing

[@sivvybee]

Saw her at the L.A. library on tour. Fun night.

[@lisamalone5219]

Yes... Love it! 🦋🐝🥊💙💜💛💚

[@grumpy1616]

She's still just amazing.

[@LoriDeSantis]

Holy shit YES

[@amyklimek290]

❤🙏

[@cantbesure0714]

so glad I caught an episode of Alternative Nation playing "What's the Matter Here?" on MTV when I was 12...what a gift.

[@kaesnow2380]

This made me so happy! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@SoulLove-mu3sf]

she's my fav since I learned about her in the 90's. She's awesome in concert!! Just love this lady and a great sense of humor. Much love Ms. Natalie!! XOXO

[@MrDLOC11]

Lol don't ever change! ❤💚💛💙💜

[@erinvoight1286]

Guitarist deserves big props for pulling this off with a demanding singer, well done my dude!!

[@oopsydoodles5794]

The world needs more Natalie merchant energy rn 🙏✨

[@3ld919]

Her voice sounds great and better than it has in the past few years, I think she has been practicing and it shows. I love this women.

[@portcullis5622]

Her voice hasn't ever sounded bad. I saw her play 4 gigs in tiny UK venues in 2018. Apart from electric piano on the encores, it was just her voice and the acoustic guitar. No hiding place for the voice and she sounded wonderful at all 4 gigs. I saw her two years earlier at The Royal Albert Hall and she sounded great there as well.

[@chrismathis4162]

She’s so beautiful

[@user-sq4tk2xy7c]

Улёт!

[@russelljoslinjr4387]

So Fantastic!

[@johnnywalker640]

Saw her at Sherwood in Nashville. Helluva show think bout it often.

[@herbiecactus6687]

I read she said something like "she lives, she breathes... can she still sing?" as she took the stage.

[@DaleMartin]

She did say that - and I'd say she can still sing 😃

[@madcatfvr2459]

amazing.

[@navigatingwithnana]

goddess 🥰

[@douglaswhalen629]

Thanks

[@BigVegasAlwaysWins]

Star Struck 🤩

[@strangeday2]

Made my day. Middle age looks sexy on Ms. Merchant. Missed that voice.

[@salvadorchika2570]

Ela é linda e maravilhosa!!!!

[@g1rag]

Love her. Anyone get a photo of her standing up thru the sunroof of her limo in the parking lot?

[@DaleMartin]

We waved to her as she went by but I didn't take a photo, sorry!

[@g1rag]

@@DaleMartin no worries, woulda been a cool photo tho! I’ve seen her 5-6 times over the years. Wish she’d tour more. Love her.

[@dogwomanhere]

I miss her.

[@brianwatson1211]

Hi beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

[@herbiecactus6687]

Some background please- was she a surprise guest? Has it been like X years since she performed publicly? Has she ever done the fort before?

[@DaleMartin]

She was part of the original set that was cancelled - it was billed as "Bonny Light Horseman performs Mermaid Avenue, with guest Natalie Merchant and friends". Then Josh Kaufman of BLH got Covid so they switched to "Clusterfolk" (as there were TONS artists who had to change plans) and so everything was a surprise at that point.

[@herbiecactus6687]

@@DaleMartin thank you. Was the clusterfolks set the one that ended up being a Paul Simon tribute?

[@DaleMartin]

@@herbiecactus6687 no, that was the closing set of the day, billed as “Nathaniel Rateliff plays the American songbook.” Initially it was him and his band doing Paul Simon covers, then with guests… Then with Paul Simon. It was super fun but I was not in a good spot to get videos and I just took it all in.

[@herbiecactus6687]

@@DaleMartin oh thanks that helps. I guess I need to find out what else happened in the course of "Clusterfolk."

[@bmw3842]

Anyone know who the guitarist is ?

[@DaleMartin]

The description says “Erik Della Penna accompanies her on guitar.”

[@jasonsousa3898]

Erik Della Penna

[@DaleMartin]

Fixed thanks again!

[@defi_gardener]

“Ehhhhhh…”

[@kayingram29]

Ugh.

[@Prof_O2]

I love you, Natalie!!!