Porchfest returning to Griffith Avenue on June 8

Scott Hagerman, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
·4 min read

PORCHFEST LINEUP AND SCHEDULE STAGE A (509 Griffith Avenue) 3 p.m.: Johnny Toms of Van Winkle & the Spirits 5 p.m.: Dakota Hayden 7 p.m.: Freddie Bourne Collective STAGE B (522 Griffith Avenue) 3 p.m.: Bobby Clark Band 5 p.m.: Rack ‘em Leon 7 p.m.: Goldrush STAGE C (531 Griffith Avenue) 4 p.m.: Joshua Orion 6 p.m.: Griffith Avenue Band 8 p.m.: Fat Box STAGE D (713 Griffith Avenue) 4 p.m.: Snake Brain 6 p.m.: Chace Saunders 8 p.m.: TBA STAGE E (723 Griffith Avenue) 3 p.m.: Bluegrass Brothers 5 p.m.: Paula & Alex 7 p.m.: The Box Band 9 p.m.: Kalico STAGE F (819 Griffith Avenue) 4 p.m.: Scarlett Call 6 p.m.: Tony Henning 8 p.m.: The Lowland Ramblers STAGE G (829 Griffith Avenue) 3 p.m.: The Green Lights 5 p.m.: Dan Hall & Steven Stewart 7 p.m.: Dustin Matthew Taylor Band STAGE H (905 Griffith Avenue) 4 p.m.: John Brasher 6 p.m.: Mitchell Douglas 8 p.m.: Cam Thompson STAGE I (1029 Griffith Ave) 3 p.m.: Emmie Kate & Lucy Jagoe 5 p.m.: Ariel & the High Wheels 7 p.m.: Krown STAGE J (1120 Griffith Avenue) 4 p.m.: Uncharted 6 p.m.: Tailgate 8 p.m.: Rubbing Alcoholics STAGE K (1103 Griffith Avenue) 4 p.m.: Annabel Whitledge 6 p.m.: Alex Macke Daniel 8 p.m.: Robbie Holder STAGE L (1124 Griffith Avenue) 3 p.m.: No Governor 5 p.m.: No Limits 7 p.m.: DRK {related_content_uuid}20712f32-288d-42b2-8531-616cf64c45c2{/related_content_uuid}

Porchfest will return for its sixth edition on Saturday, June 8.

The annual celebration of nearly all genres of music will return with 37 acts performing on 12 front porches along Griffith Avenue.

“We want to make sure there is something for everyone,” said Tamarra Brasher, co-founder of the event along with her husband, Andy Brasher. “There are a lot of festivals that are only heavy metal or bluegrass, but we want to make something that is truly for everyone.

“You could hear a traditional country song on one stage and then a couple stages down, you’re able hear some original music. The variety is what makes it a unique festival.”

Brasher said she’s “extremely surprised” how much the event has grown from when it began in 2018.

“We went door to door, and I think we had like five stages,” she said of how the inaugural event came together. “We didn’t even close the street. We didn’t think there was any need to. And to see what it has become since then, basically the last seven years, to see the growth and the way the community has just embraced the idea of it just being a celebration of the neighborhood and the community, it’s really pretty amazing to watch.”

Brasher said more than 100 bands applied to perform this year, with the acts chosen a mix of returning performers and acts that will be making their first appearance at the event.

“We have some fan favorites, and we have homeowners who request certain bands that maybe played on their porches before, but we also like to incorporate new acts,” she said. “We take time to listen them all. It’s fun getting to listen to all of the different music.”

Music starts at 3 p.m., with acts performing for between 45 to 60 minutes. The last performers will take the stage at 9 p.m.

“It is a lot,” said Brasher of the challenges that come with putting the schedule together. “Andy takes on the biggest part of that, as far as scheduling, because you’re working with 37 different bands, and who is going to provide sound, which one works with which homeowner, or a performer needs a certain time slot.

“There are so many moving parts to make the actual schedule come together.”

There will be a solid selection of food items to sample while enjoying the music, with several food trucks scheduled to be on site.

“It’s family friendly, and it’s free,” said Brasher of what she feels sets it apart from many music festivals. “It’s just about the music and fellowship. We don’t have a craft vendor, and we’re not trying to raise money.

“It’s truly a celebration of neighbors.”