Historic Athens Porchfest to bring over 200 musicians to Athens

A crowd gathers to watch a band perform on the porch of a historic Athens home during a past Historic Athens Porchfest. This year, Historic Athens Porchfest will feature 203 performers and take place on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 12 to 8 p.m. (Photo Courtesy of Historic Athens)

Over 200 musicians will perform in seven of Athens’ historic neighborhoods for the fifth annual Historic Athens Porchfest on Sunday, Oct. 15.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from noon to 8 p.m. on the porches of homes throughout the Boulevard, Buena Vista Heights, Cobbham, Newtown, Normaltown, Pulaski Heights and Reese Hancock neighborhoods.

Created and organized by Historic Athens, Porchfest celebrates the music, history and community of Athens by bringing together performers from different backgrounds and musical genres including bluegrass, hip-hop, rock and more. 

The format of the event encourages attendees to walk or bike between concerts and historic neighborhoods, prompting both performers and attendees to explore the many different kinds of music that can be found throughout Athens. 

“In many ways, this event serves like a pollinator,” Executive Director of Historic Athens Tommy Valentine said. “We’re hopefully cross pollinating between these artists and helping fans of one become fans of the scene.”

This year, Porchfest is holding its first-ever kickoff event in partnership with Nuçi’s Space – a local nonprofit devoted to mental health awareness for musicians – youth program, Camp Amped. 

Camp Amped is a music summer day camp and after-school camp for middle and high school students. It serves as an outreach program to young musicians in a safe learning environment.

Following the kickoff, performances will begin with approximately 30 porches hosting concerts at any given time.

Will Varga, a sophomore at the University of Georgia, will be performing at Porchfest with the indie-jam-funk-rock band Mars Hill at 125 Boulevard at 2 p.m.

Varga, who plays guitar and sings for Mars Hill, attended Porchfest last year as an audience member but will be performing at the event for the first time this year.

“I think it's a great and intimate way to play because it's not glorified,” Varga said. “There's not production, it's just music in its most intimate and personal form.” 

Following a full day of performances, Porchfest will conclude with the Mayors Show close-out event at 7 p.m. with a performance by Winterville Mayor Dodd Ferelle’s band, Dodd Ferelle and the Wintervillains.