Two friends enjoying the main stage of the Philadelphia Folk Festival | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The annual Philadelphia Folk Festival is, on one level, about the music – and this year the music came in all scales. A headlining Saturday night set from Americana titan Lyle Lovett. Sets by buzzworthy up-and-comers Shakey Graves and Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear. And the music of the Philadelphia region was represented in force, from Band of Rivals and Lovers League performing in the campground to PhillyBloco taking the main stage and Hoots and Hellmouth helping close the festival out on Sunday night.

But in addition to being a great festival for hearing music, it’s a great festival for seeing a music community. Philly Folk is easily among the most photogenic music gatherings in our region, and to mark its 54th year, we’ve gathered together 54 photos from last weekend’s festival, shot by photographer Hope Helmuth.

Lyle Lovett at Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Lyle Lovett at Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Lyle Lovett at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Lyle Lovett at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

A guitar sculpture on the grounds of the Philadelphia Folk Festival | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

A guitar sculpture on the grounds of the Philadelphia Folk Festival | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest campground | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest campground | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Band of Rivals at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Band of Rivals at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest campground | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest campground | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Della Mae at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Della Mae at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Della Mae at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Della Mae at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest craft village | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest craft village | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

El Caribefunk at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

El Caribefunk at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

El Caribefunk at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

El Caribefunk at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

John Flynn at the Kids Corner showcase of The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

John Flynn at the Kids Corner showcase of The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

WXPN's Kathy O'Connell and Ian Zolitor at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

WXPN’s Kathy O’Connell and Ian Zolitor at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Lovers League at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Lovers League at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Dulcimer Grove at the Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Dulcimer Grove at the Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Folkies relax in hammocks Dulcimer Grove at the Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Folkies relax in hammocks Dulcimer Grove at the Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Folkies relax in hammocks Dulcimer Grove at the Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Folkies relax in hammocks Dulcimer Grove at the Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Dulcimer Grove at the Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Dulcimer Grove at the Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest campground | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest campground | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest campground | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest campground | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Parker Millsap at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Parker Millsap at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Parker Millsap at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Parker Millsap at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Philly Bloco at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Philly Bloco at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Philly Bloco atThe Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Philly Bloco atThe Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

 

Selwyn Birchwood at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Selwyn Birchwood at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Selwyn Birchwood at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Selwyn Birchwood at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Shakey Graves at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Shakey Graves at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Shakey Graves at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Shakey Graves at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Sylvia Platypus at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Sylvia Platypus at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Sylvia Platypus at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Sylvia Platypus at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest  at night | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest at night | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest at night | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

The Philadelphia Folk Fest at night | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Hoots and Hellmouth at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Hoots and Hellmouth at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Hoots and Hellmouth at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com

Hoots and Hellmouth at The Philadelphia Folk Fest | Photo by Hope Helmuth | hopehelmuth.com