The article argues that Bob Dylan’s 1963 protest song ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ helped Neil Young understand that artists can confront social and political questions through their work. It presents the song as a formative example of music carrying a message beyond entertainment, an approach that later informed Young’s own songwriting and public stance. Released…

Rolling Stone rounds up the standout performances from Newport Folk Festival 2026, praising the event’s tradition of unscripted collaborations and cross-generational moments between veteran and emerging artists. Highlights included Mavis Staples and Joan Baez closing the festival with a shared rendition of “America the Beautiful”, an unannounced acoustic set from Dave Matthews, and pairings such…