09/18/2025
We were overjoyed to read this editorial in the Wakefield Daily Item, last week! This piece gets to the true spirit of our town-wide event: growing the foundation for local live music in a community renowned for its musical education, talent, and tradition. It’s worth a read. And we dedicate it to every one of you who participated in and/or supported Wakefield Porchfest.
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*Thank you for the live music*
From punkers Warthog and Christian rockers We Like Wool to Stevie Ray Vaughan-inspired CRANK N HOUSE and everything in between, Saturday’s steamy Wakefield Porchfest offered plenty of different types of music and kept audiences jumping for most of the afternoon.
For a good four hours, the rain held off and Porchfest rocked on, with 67 locations around town hosting 134 musical acts beginning around noon. The town-wide celebration of live, local music brought neighbors together to build community through live performances on front porches and lawns. Bands, singers and instrumentalists shared their music, offering a wide range of genres. Local residents volunteered their porches or lawns to support the music scene and connect with neighbors.
Porchfest is a cool thing. We applaud all those involved, from the organizers who are the last line of defense for local musicians, to the venue hosts and the sponsors to, finally, the performers themselves. Everyone did a great job, and for that we are grateful.
Back (way back) in the day, it was great to go to a small club in the area and catch a group on the rise. Whether it be in the nasty old basement of Kenmore Square’s The Rat, Cambridge’s TT the Bear’s and Jonathan Swift’s, or the cramped environs of Grover’s in Beverly, an entire generation had its pick of places to go see live music. Those days, sadly, are gone.
Local live music has transformed due to economic challenges like rising costs and changing consumer habits, leading to the decline of traditional venues and the rise of alternative formats like home concerts and do-it-yourself shows. While big events and streaming dominate, a strong underground movement and new approaches to organizing shows are emerging, indicating a shift rather than an end for live music experiences.
We consider Porchfests — not just here but all over — to be part of that shifting live music landscape.
Not everyone wants to spend $400 to go see Bruce Springsteen at the TD Garden, especially those of us who would rather see a variety of acts for a lot less cash.
We’d like to close with something we snatched from the Wakefield Porchfest website this morning.
“Thank you to everyone who made Wakefield Porchfest such a success! From the incredible performers and hosts to the volunteers, sponsors, and all of you who came out to celebrate with us. This community spirit is what makes it so special. We can't wait to see you again next year!”
Neither can we. And hopefully, for many more years to come.
