The Arcs, the American garage rock band formed by Dan Auerbach, the guitarist and vocalist of the Black Keys, have been added to the 2016 Newport folk Festival lineup.
The Arcs released their debut album, Yours, Dreamily, last year on Nonesuch to critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone saying it “takes what Auerbach does at his best, in and out of the Keys—confessional, texturally enriched blues propelled with garage-rock force—and adds a riveting jump in eccentricity.”
Their live show has received no less praise, with the New York Times describing it as a “rock and soul revue that can knock out Motown beats, fuzz-toned boogies or slow-grooving R&B,” adding that they “revved up rockabilly and Bo Diddley beats, and Mr. Auerbach’s voice was perched, not at all precariously, between desperation and defiance.” The Washington Post says, “When the Arcs take the stage, expect a party among friends that takes its form in expansive solos, singalong choruses and general merriment.”
Auerbach announced this side project after performing on the Governors Ball in 2015. The group’s first album, Yours, Dreamily, was released on September 4, 2015. Members include Leon Michels, Nick Movshon, Homer Steinweiss, Richard Swift, and Kenny Vaughan along with contributions from Mariachi Flor de Toloache.
The Arcs will play the sold-out festival on Friday, July 22nd.
