WILLIE NILE LIVE IN CONCERT W/ THE RAINDOGS

MAY 22

WILLIE NILE, a true Rock and Roll legend, returns to Newport RI on Friday, May 22nd for this first theatrical appearance at Jane Pickens Theater: Film & Event Center with his high energy band. Hot off his recent shows with Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry, Willie truly walks among the greats while counting many like Bono, and Lucinda Williams among his fans.

Willie has a new album just released called The Great Yellow Light. MOJO gave it 4 Stars and wrote: "On his 21st album in a career of remarkable consistency, he again delivers a batch of classic rock 'n' roll.” Broadway Street Fair and The JPT are excited to welcome Willie to Newport to help us kick off the 2026 BSF Season. This show will be a benefit for BSF and will also showcase RI’s own RAINDOGS, led by Mark Cutler, Emerson Torrey and Darrin Hill. The RAINDOGS are celebrating the release of the 40th anniversary of their “Lost Souls” LP which was critically acclaimed and led to opening spots for Bob Dylan, when they toured to support the initial album release. Kick off Memorial Day with a great show for a great cause!

Tickets are $45 for General Admission and $65 for VIP reserved front rows. Each section will be marked clearly for patrons upon arrival. General Admission will go up to $55 before the show so get your tickets early for this critical BSF Benefit show. VIP Doors at 6PM, General Admission at 6:30PM show starts at 7:30PM.

Additional Information about Willie Nile:

Nile’s love for life and music has powered his 45-year recording career. The Buffalo, NY native made his way to New York City in the early 1970s. After establishing himself as a popular presence on the downtown club scene, Willie attained national recognition through his widely acclaimed first three major-label albums — Willie Nile, Golden Down and Places I Have Never Been. Next, he then embarked on the indie route with a long series of well-received album releases including Beautiful Wreck of the World, Streets of New York, House of a Thousand Guitars, The Innocent Ones, American Ride, World War Willie, New York At Night, Children of Paradise, The Day The Earth Stood Still, the acoustic If I Was a River, and the covers collection Positively Bob: Willie Nile Sings Bob Dylan.

Working on his own terms has allowed Willie to expand his audience to encompass much of the planet. He’s toured North America and overseas regularly building a sizeable and devoted following for his incendiary live performances. His loyal fan base includes such admirers as Bruce Springsteen, with whom he’s guested onstage on multiple occasions, and Pete Townshend, who personally requested him as the opening act on the Who’s historic 1980 U.S. tour. The list of avowed Nile fans also includes Bono, Lou Reed, Ian Hunter, Graham Parker, Jim Jarmusch, Little Steven, and Lucinda Williams, who once remarked, “Willie Nile is a great artist. If there was any justice in this world, I’d be opening up for him instead of him for me.”

Appropriately, an Austrian filmmaker is currently making a documentary film about Willie, with new footage shot in Italy, England and America.

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