Photos | Joe Pug + Field Report @ Brighton Music Hall

Photos by Boston Concert Photography

This past Thursday night, Joe Pug and Chris Porterfield of Field Report brought a little bit of late July to Brighton Music Hall.

As part of the Newport Folk Presents series, the two acts—both of whom hit the stage at this summer’s 56th Newport Folk Festival—made themselves right at home in Allston.

Porterfield, sans the rest of his musical companions, opened up the evening with a set of songs and a comforting wit that quickly brought those unfamiliar with the band’s material into the fold. Those of us who were fans of the music before the first strings were plucked were, encouraged to shout out requests (which we did.) I’d wager when Porterfield and his bandmates hit the stage at The Fort, there will be a few more folks shouting out requests.

The night’s headliner and Newport Folk alum, Joe Pug, then proved to the crowd why he’s deserving of a return spot to the legendary festival’s lineup. Touring behind his new album Windfall, Pug and his new-look ensemble (Greg Tuohey on guitar, Matt Schuessler on bass, and Mark Stepro on drums) brought new songs and Pug classics to life with the energy and passion we’re accustomed to seeing from Joe when he’s alone with his harp and his axe.

In short, if this evening was anything like what we can expect to see on the grounds of Fort Adams this year, we’re all in for a musical windfall.