A friend sent texts from Newport that made me seriously regret letting my hatred of heat lead the decision not to go with her . . even before everything I've read/heard since the festival.  Am very grateful to NPR for archiving the audio. 
Complete listing if don't have it yet . . ones I've listened to so far are also downloadable.   
http://www.npr.org/series/newport-folk-festival/ 

I'd successfully lobbied for my friend to see Brown Bird over her original choice so was relived and happy when I got this - <i>" I. LOVE. THEM!!!!! And they're only two songs in!!!! "</i> . . followed a bit later by - <i>" I'm tellin ya, the videos do not do this band one bit of credit compared to their live performance."</i>  
Posted her second comment 'cause it seems sort of familiar . . . ;)  

She was initially sad to miss Middle Brother but she would have been so far back it didn't make sense to her to stay . . maybe it was fate because she ended up at 'The Head and The Heart''s stage and fell in love with them too. 

Her Newport summary included this:  (this one was a tweet)
<i>Special "they had me at the first note" award is a tie between Brown Bird and the Head and the Heart #newport</i> 

And since they've been mentioned . . she also liked River City Extension a lot. 

Her last text to me from the festival may sum up this year's lineup pretty well. 

<i>" I just g**d*** love it that music like this exists ! "</i>