The long-running Newport Folk Festival returned to Newport, RI this past weekend for three days of music at Fort Adams. After a number of notable highlights on the festival’s first two days, including a rendition of Neil Young‘s “Ohio” by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and David Crosby on Friday and a surprise headlining set from Mumford And Sons on Saturday, Newport Folk Festival wrapped up on Sunday with sets from Brandi Carlile, Charlie Parr, Gary Clark Jr., Khruangbin, Nicole Atkins, Passenger, The Lone Bellow, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Toots and the Maytals, and many more.

In addition, one of the high points of Newport Folk Festival 2018’s final day was a special performance by guitarist Nels Cline (Wilco), dubbed Nels Cline’s Curtis Rogers Memorial Resonator Excursion. The set saw Cline (on his resonator guitar) and banjo/guitar/mandolin player Brandon Seabrook play through a slew of classic blues, folk, and country songs and welcome out some surprise musical assistance.

The set included renditions of McKinley/Morganfield-penned Muddy Waters favorites like “Country Blues” and “Feel Like Going Home”, the latter of which saw guitarist Warren Haynes take lead vocals for an acoustic guitar duo. Watch videos of “Feel Like Going Home” and “Country Blues” from Nels Cline’s Curtis Rogers Memorial Resonator Excursion at Newport Folk Festival below:

Nels Cline w/ Warren Haynes – “Feel Like Going Home” (Muddy Waters Cover)

[Video: Matt Frazier]

Nels Cline’s Curtis Rogers Memorial Resonator Excursion – “Country Blues” 

Cline also spoke candidly with the audience between songs throughout the show. After noting that he’s only sung with Wilco a couple of times—both of which were renditions of “Dark Star” with Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir—Cline joked “there may be a reason you don’t hear me sing, but I’m going to try it anyway” before starting in on George Jones‘ “If Drinking Don’t Kill Me”. Watch a video of the George Jones cover below:

Nels Cline – “If Drinking Don’t Kill Me” (George Jones cover)

[Video: Matt Frazier]

In early August, Nels Cline will embark on a short stretch of shows with his Nels Cline 4, stopping in St. Paul, MN; Milwaukee, WI; Louisville, KY; and St. Louis, MO. For more info on Nels Cline’s upcoming performances, head to his website.