Hayley Williams made a memorable appearance at the 2026 Newport Folk Festival by bringing a series of surprise guests to the stage during her set, including singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis, producer and Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff, and several other collaborators. The performance became one of the festival’s most talked-about moments as the audience was treated to an unexpected lineup of special appearances.

Williams opened her set with a selection of solo material before welcoming Jenny Lewis to perform a duet, drawing an enthusiastic response from the crowd gathered at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. The pair shared the stage for a rendition that highlighted their longtime mutual admiration and musical chemistry.

Later in the performance, Jack Antonoff joined Williams for another surprise collaboration, marking another high-profile guest appearance during the set. Antonoff, who has worked with some of the biggest names in music as both a producer and performer, helped deliver one of the festival’s standout moments as fans sang along throughout the performance.

Additional guest musicians also joined Williams on stage during the set, reinforcing Newport Folk Festival’s reputation for unexpected collaborations and one-of-a-kind live performances. The festival has long been known for bringing together artists from different musical backgrounds, with surprise appearances becoming one of its defining traditions.

Williams’ Newport Folk Festival appearance comes as she continues to expand her activities beyond Paramore, following the release of new solo music and a series of special live performances. The festival appearance further showcased her versatility as a performer while celebrating the collaborative spirit that has become synonymous with Newport Folk Festival.