Indie rock duo Illiterate Light is proving that sustainable action can go the distance. This July, the Virginia-based band will kick off “Road to Newport,” a cycling journey of more than 600 miles from their hometown of Harrisonburg to the Newport Folk Festival, complete with tour stops and live performances along the way.
“We’ve always believed that music can be a vehicle for change,” says drummer Jake Cochran, who, along with bandmate Jeff Gorman, is turning pedals into purpose. “This is about community, sustainability, and showing what’s possible when we rethink how we move through the world.”
The two aren’t new to the idea of energy on two wheels. Their bike-powered stage, first introduced at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival with help from environmental nonprofit 11th Hour Racing, lets fans hop on stationary bikes to generate the electricity needed to power artist equipment. The interactive experience was a festival favorite, blending performance with activism.
“This year, we’re taking things up a notch,” says Gorman. “We’re riding to Newport ourselves and rebuilding the stage. Not just as a gimmick, but as a real statement about how live music can be part of climate solutions.”
The adventure begins July 7 at Pale Fire Brewing in Harrisonburg, with planned stops at Union Craft Brewing in Baltimore on July 13 and Transparent Clinch Gallery in Asbury Park on July 18. Illiterate Light will roll into Newport on July 26 for a mainstage performance and the triumphant return of their pedal-powered setup.
The project fits right in with 11th Hour Racing’s mission to support ocean health and climate resilience. Its partnership with the Newport Folk Festival has already brought bike valets, refillable water stations, and composting programs to the event, helping this legendary festival walk the sustainability talk. Follow along on social media with #roadtonewport and find updates at IlliterateLight.com.
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