PorchFest returned for its annual spring concert, flooding the streets of Somerville with entrancing melodies played by a variety of small local bands. PorchFest has been a Somerville staple since 2011, but it also takes place in other areas such as Montclair, New Jersey, and Memphis, Tennessee. Somerville’s PorchFest is hosted by the Somerville Arts Council, holding its place as one of the largest PorchFests, consistently uniting not only Somerville, but Massachusetts as a whole through music.
With genres ranging from Folk, Jazz to Rock, PorchFest provides everyone with a unique source of entertainment from 12 pm-6 pm. With over 530 bands performing, there were countless areas for bands to showcase their two-hour performances in three Somerville zones.
These three zones included the West Zone located around Tufts University and Davis Square from 12-2 pm, the Central Zone located around Porter and Magoun Square from 2-4 pm, and the Union Square of the East Zone from 4-6 pm. These zones, located near an array of restaurants, allowed for further community building after performances were done.
Taking place on May 9th, it seemed as if the rainy and chilly weather would dull the traditional lively PorchFest atmosphere, but this wasn’t the case at all. Despite the rain, many continued to indulge in the free concert experience by wearing raincoats or bringing along an umbrella.
Many of the differing performances were within walking distance from one another—on porches or yards. These short distances provided curious listening ears with the opportunity to see a large range of bands, performing original songs and covers. One of the many bands that performed was Pluto’s Return, a five-member rock band consisting of Somerville High School seniors.
Pluto’s Return members—bassist Torin White, drummer Kian Nhuch, singer and guitarist Colin Born, guitarist Sam Silverman, and pianist Anthony Sasongko—noted that this has been their sixth time performing at Porch Fest; their first “time being in 8th grade,” said White.
Born mentioned that the band has also performed at “local restaurants, festivals,” and most memorably for the band, The BeBop Bar in Boston.
Notably, in the last two years of PorchFest, Pluto’s Return brought in an immense crowd of hundreds of people that blocked a major roadway. This year, against the odds of location struggles, as depicted by Sasongko, and the weather, the band still managed to bring in a lively crowd and enjoy themselves.
The band performed their own original rock songs such as “The Great Escape”, “Saving Grace”, and “Cruise Control”, from their album Slug, which was released earlier this year. In addition, they also played several covers of songs going back to the 70s, like “Free Bird” by Lynryd Skynryd, “Just What I needed” by The Cars, and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The band’s energetic performance sent instrumental vibrations through the streets and stirred the audience as they danced and sang along.
If you are looking for a way to expand your music taste while also partaking in an amazing experience, your place at PorchFest next year is waiting for you.
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