The Black Rock section of Fairfield is an artists hub. Coffee houses, bistros, music venues, proximity to the train and NYC, prove to be a fertile incubator for music. It’s natural then to pick a nice summer day and assemble a mass gathering called Porchfest. No less than 60 musical acts occupy porches in this highly walkable area to showcase their talents. The idea is to develop a walking plan, hydrate, and see what develops. We park at St Ann’s church, the unofficial center of the proceedings, and start to wander. First up was Dad Bods, exactly as billed, these guys took their shirts off then launched into some James Gang or Humble Pie covers. Upon closer inspection, I see a shirtless 10 year old playing a mini Fender. Down the street, we happen upon Sean O’Reilly. Sean plays keys and harp, that’s right, a blue harp. Indie folk pop reminiscent of Perfume Genius. His ability to plunk and pluck simultaneously was admirable. Tweed Sugar were some grungey 30 somethings playing some lost hits from the 90s. We mosey over to Chucks in London a hard rocking outfit with a great logo that is a cross between Chuck Taylor and the London Underground. The Drowsy Chaperones had some nice female vocal harmonies and did a couple Carol King tunes. On the way back, we catch Drew Angus, a solo troubadour who looped through the crowd singing You Can’t Always Get What You Want. Circling back we catch an instrumental trio with guitar drums and bass. The drummer had a closet pole on the porch draped with bangable kitchen gadgets, a colander, a tea kettle, a box grater, all meant to be percussed. I’m assuming the revellers end their day at the Park City Music Hall, a jamcentric venue and music locus for the area. Glad to have finally made it to this storied event.
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