Latest news with #SomervillePorchFest
Boston Globe
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Somerville's Porchfest remains a showcase for a vast array of genres
Advertisement Somerville PorchFest isn't the only event of its kind in Massachusetts, nor is it the original PorchFest – that distinction goes to the version in Ithaca, New York. But the festival remains one of the area's largest musical mixers, both in terms of genre and artist-audience connection. The annual event returns this Saturday, spreading nearly 500 acts across Somerville for a free, all-ages afternoon of music discovery (albeit with a few so cars and emergency vehicles can better navigate the area.) Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up For many guests, the event is a chance to seek out homegrown musicians who sound similar to their current favorites (but perhaps no one too similar – we know how last year's Advertisement That's the beauty of a lineup that's nearly 500 hundred artists deep: there's room for more musical styles than many other large-scale music events around town, which often keep their lineup rooted in rock, pop, hip-hop, and folk music, or are devoted to a single sound, like jazz. There's even ample space for genre-mashers like Medford's doom metal brass band , a Boston group that layers flamenco and Latin pop. Boston ska band Pink Slip perform at Somerville PorchFest for the third time this Saturday. Jenny Bergman Heather Mack, vocalist of the Boston ska group 'Over 50 percent of the crowd are just completely wandering in like, 'What are they doing? Is that a ska version of 'What's Up' by 4 Non Blondes? Okay, I'm in,'' says Mack. 'Then they stick around and they're like, 'that was awesome.'' The variety is just as beneficial for the artists themselves, who might have the chance to curate a bill that combines contrasting genres in a way that's atypical of club shows, which tend to be more stylistically cohesive. 'I have a good amount of friends who play different genres, so we don't usually get to be on a bill together,' says Alexis Richardson, a former Somerville resident who performs as Advertisement Pink Slip and Borr will return to PorchFest this year, contributing to the event's signature variety; Pink Slip will perform with punk-adjacent groups Cinecam . 'Somerville PorchFest is a magical thing,' Mack concludes. 'It really is the high watermark for what these events can and should be.' GIG GUIDE headlines the venue with his new record 'Blanco 7,' the latest release in his long-running series of 'Blanco' albums. The Devil Makes Three strum Americana from their new album "Spirits" at the Paradise Rock Club on Saturday. Jarrod Macilla Cuban-American singer . More pop-tinged tunes are on tap from Ugandan-born, Texas-based artist Jon Muq visits City Winery on Friday. Morgan Wommack Camping out at City Winery this week will get you a global array of sounds, such as ( Advertisement Before kicking off a five-month tour of the United States, former Massachusetts residents On , At Roadrunner on Advertisement Massachusetts singer-songwriter Naomi Westwater is a keen observer of life on their third album, "Cycle & Change." Sasha Pedro NOW SPINNING Naomi Westwater, English singer and producer PinkPantheress releases her second mixtape "Fancy That" on Friday. Charlie Engman PinkPantheress, The Head and the Heart's sixth album offers sprightly folk for springtime. Jasper Graham The Head and the Heart, BONUS TRACK Whether you missed Somerville PorchFest – or loved it and are craving more free outdoor music – head to Emerson College's Advertisement Victoria Wasylak can be reached at . Follow her on Bluesky @
CBS News
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Somerville announces changes for PorchFest, certain streets restricted
Somerville PorchFest will be returning soon with new safety changes. For years the live music event has drawn thousands of people to the city's streets. Because of the growth of the event, organizers are making changes to "help ensure safety, organization, and the continued vibrancy of PorchFest." Key changes for this year's event on Saturday, May 10 include a new application process, bands will not be able to play on certain streets, and there will be a dedicated team to monitor safety and support logistics. The following streets are not eligible to participate in this year's PorchFest due to new safety rules: • Broadway • Cedar St • Central St • College Ave • Elm St • Highland Ave • Lowell St • Powderhouse Blvd • School St • Somerville Ave • Summer St • Walnut St • Willow Ave PorchFest is an event featuring live music. Bands play on the front porches of homes and people who live in the area walk around and listen to the variety of performers. Guster performed at last year's PorchFest in Somerville, drawing a massive crowd in the street. This year's PorchFest will be on Saturday, May 10 from noon-6 p.m. 12:00–2:00 p.m. – West Zone (West of Willow Ave.) 2:00–4:00 p.m.– Central Zone (Central St to Willow Ave.) 4:00–6:00 p.m. – East Zone (East of Central St.) The deadline to submit your application is Thursday, April 10.
