Somerville’s beloved Porchfest is back in 2025, marking its 14th year with some significant changes. This year, the Somerville Arts Council has implemented new restrictions to manage the festival’s growth and ensure its sustainability. After a record-breaking turnout last year, partly fueled by a surprise performance from the indie rock band Guster, the festival organizers are taking steps to preserve the event’s original grassroots spirit while accommodating its increasing popularity.
The changes include the removal of high-traffic streets from the performance map, a new application process for performers, and the introduction of a porch badge system. These measures aim to address safety concerns and maintain the community-oriented atmosphere that defines Porchfest. Despite these adjustments, the spirit of Porchfest remains vibrant, with nearly 500 performers set to take the stage on porches across the city.
In this article, we’ll delve into the details of these changes, explore how they impact performers and attendees, and highlight the ongoing efforts to keep Somerville Porchfest a cherished community event.
Porchfest’s Growth Spurs Changes
Porchfest has evolved dramatically since its inception in 2011. What started as a small gathering with around 60 bands has blossomed into a city-wide music festival featuring nearly 500 performers. The event took a brief hiatus in 2020, replaced by the online “CouchFest” during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the return to in-person performances has seen a surge in popularity, with last year’s festival drawing an estimated 30,000 attendees.
Iaritza Menjivar, an event manager for the Arts Council, explained,
“Porchfest has grown so much for the last few years, and Guster was just an additional reason as to why we needed to add more restrictions. The event has grown out of its capacity – out of our capacity – and we’re just trying to find ways to keep the events around.”
This growth necessitated a reevaluation of the festival’s structure to ensure safety and maintain its community focus.
In response, the Somerville Arts Council formed a Porchfest Committee comprised of musicians, business owners, and Department of Public Works staff. This committee worked over the winter to address issues related to the festival’s expansion and develop strategies for managing its impact on the city.
Clearing the Streets: New Map Restrictions
One of the most significant changes to Porchfest this year is the restriction of performances on high-traffic streets. According to Menjivar, this decision was made with safety in mind.
“The change to the porch map was essentially just thinking about safety for everybody and it wasn’t a decision that was made lightly.”
By eliminating porches and yards on major thoroughfares, the city aims to ensure that emergency vehicles and community members can move freely through Somerville during the festival.
The excluded streets include Broadway, Summer Street, Highland Avenue, Somerville Avenue, College Avenue, Cedar Street, Lowell Street, Central Street, School Street, and Walnut Street. While this change affected around 60 bands that previously performed on these streets, many performers were able to find alternative locations or connect with new hosts.
Despite the restrictions, the festival organizers remain optimistic that the changes will enhance the overall Porchfest experience. By prioritizing safety and accessibility, they hope to create a more enjoyable and sustainable event for everyone involved.
Application Process and Badge System
In addition to the map restrictions, the Somerville Arts Council has implemented a new application process for bands and introduced a porch badge system. The application process requires bands to provide contact information and register a non-band member to serve as a porch monitor during their performance. This monitor is responsible for overseeing the performance and ensuring that it complies with festival guidelines.
The badge system requires each participating porch to display a placard, increasing awareness of which porches are officially involved in the event. A representative from each porch was required to pick up their badge at City Hall Annex, with additional evening pickup times added to accommodate performers’ schedules. According to guitarist Ethan Lauer of the cover band Can O Worms, the arts council “expanded the dates to make it a little bit easier for everybody.”
These measures are designed to improve communication and coordination between performers, organizers, and attendees. By requiring registration and providing clear identification, the Arts Council hopes to create a more organized and accountable event.
Performers Take Changes in Stride
Despite some online grumbling, performers seem to be taking the changes in stride. Alasdair MacKenzie, bassist and vocalist of Hush Club, noted that “the registration process was more intense than in previous years, but nothing unreasonable.” Similarly, Dave Debany, guitarist and singer of Graveyard of the Atlantic, said that the registration process “wasn’t an issue” for his band.
For Can O Worms, the only uncertainty came after the application process.
“There’s always anticipation of [whether you are] going to get the gig or not,”
Lauer said. The band is making its Porchfest and large audience debut at 2 Village Terrace, planning to play classic rock, pop songs, and some original work.
Overall, performers seem willing to adapt to the new regulations in order to participate in Porchfest. Their positive attitude reflects the strong sense of community that underpins the festival.
Ready for Emergencies Big or Small
To ensure a safe and well-coordinated event, Porchfest ambassadors will be stationed throughout the city to hand out maps and direct people to the increased number of port-a-potties. Members of the Arts Council will also be stationed at the City Hall Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s Mobile Emergency Operations Center with representatives from fire, police, Public Works, and other city departments.
Menjivar emphasized the extensive effort required to make Porchfest happen, stating,
“We appreciate that people love this event and we are glad we can keep bringing this to the city, but we need everybody’s help to keep this event viable.”
To sign up for emergency text alerts for this year’s Porchfest, text SOMPORCHFEST to 888777.
With these comprehensive safety measures in place, the Somerville Arts Council is working hard to ensure that Porchfest 2025 is a safe and enjoyable event for all.
Conclusion
Somerville Porchfest 2025 promises to be another vibrant celebration of music and community. While changes have been implemented to manage the festival’s growth and ensure safety, the core spirit of Porchfest remains intact. The dedication of the Somerville Arts Council, the adaptability of the performers, and the enthusiasm of the attendees all contribute to making this event a unique and cherished part of Somerville’s cultural landscape.
The new restrictions, including the map changes and application process, are designed to address the challenges that come with increased popularity. By prioritizing safety and organization, the organizers hope to create a more sustainable and enjoyable event for everyone involved. As Porchfest continues to evolve, it will be crucial to balance the need for growth with the desire to preserve the festival’s original grassroots spirit.
Ultimately, the success of Porchfest depends on the collective effort of the community. By working together, performers, organizers, and attendees can ensure that Porchfest remains a vibrant and beloved tradition for years to come. Don’t forget to sign up for emergency text alerts by texting SOMPORCHFEST to 888777 to stay informed during the event.
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