Lucy Dacus and Brandon Flowers perform for Jim Croce at Newport Folk Festival

When the magic of the Newport Folk Festival collided with an unexpected musical pairing, the stage was set for a moment that audiences won’t soon forget. Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus brought out Brandon Flowers to deliver a stripped-back rendition of Jim Croce’s timeless ballad, Time In A Bottle.

Dacus, who had already captivated the crowd with her solo set, welcomed the frontman of The Killers to the stage as a surprise guest. The resulting performance was an intimate dive into melody and emotion, linking two distinct musical worlds in a surprisingly seamless harmony.

This wasn’t just a cover; it was a deep connection to Dacus’s own artistic journey. She had originally recorded this poignant track for her fourth album, Forever Is A Feeling, allowing the performance to feel both retrospective and intensely present.

The atmosphere during the set crackled with energy, culminating in a moment of pure delight when Dacus told the audience, “Y’all are going to have to pinch me,” perfectly encapsulating the joyous nature of the shared experience.

The festival lineup was already packed with stellar acts; while Dacus enjoyed her moment, other artists also graced the stage. Hayley Williams joined her for a performance of Bullseye, which featured Hozier on the studio version, and Madi Diaz brought some raw energy with a performance of Heavy Metal.

This spontaneous collaboration follows Dacus’s ongoing exploration of intense emotional themes. Her album Forever Is A Feeling was praised by critics for capturing the “rush, terror and total surrender of giving yourself over to another person,” positioning her work as a profound exploration of love.

Dacus has built a reputation for weaving personal experience into powerful music. Her recent release, Planting Tomatoes, further cemented this narrative, sharing her first new music of 2026 with the world after an exclusive release.

Meanwhile, Brandon Flowers is charting an exciting new course for himself. He is preparing to release his third solo album, Thrasher, on August 21th via Island Records. The project delves into a personal journey, with Flowers noting he has “found my way back to my father’s music,” reflecting on unlocking a new sense of self.

His preview singles, including Plans and Paradise, hint at the rich, layered sound of his forthcoming work. Flowers is set to support Thrasher with an upcoming tour across the UK, Ireland, and North America.