The 4th Annual PorchFest '22: A Celebration of Great Music & Friends!
Well, it has been a year since I was honored to be asked and come shoot my friend’s amazing, mini-fest aptly titled Porch Fest. This year is no different when the 4th Annual Steve’s South 6th Street Porch Fest kicked off on April 23rd, 2022, in Griffin, Georgia. PorchFest is a great way to showcase some talented musicians that have crossed paths with Steve over the years. What better way to show appreciation than to have these amazing artists come and have fun in front of an eager crowd yearning for great music. This year’s lineup included some favorites of mine (and many others) from last year such as Daniel Toole, Hunter Callahan, Flint River Fellowship, Chill Affinity, Tom Cheshire Band (TCB), Blood on the Harp (last year’s fantastic headliner), and this year’s headliner (aptly named) The Headliner Band who ALWAYS throws down! In addition to this year’s phenomenal lineup: Female Fiction, Jerry Lucas, Kenny Howes, and Hey Dreamer (although Melody Kiser who played last year’s event is in this band) was added to the lineup.
Just like last year’s event, Daniel Toole started this year’s event with a powerful set based on his musical catalog for the devoted fans who could make it out as early as 12 pm. It is always a pleasure to catch Daniel play and this time was no exception! Many thanks to Daniel and his continued support. Hope to see him at next year’s PorchFest! Head over to Daniel Toole’s website and give him a listen. You can also keep track of where Daniel is playing by following this link to his official website’s tour dates!
Up next was Female Fiction which was a new addition to this year’s lineup. Fronted by Elliot Portillo, Female Fiction was just the thing PorchFest needed with their youthful, exuberance permeating throughout the crowd. You can easily check out Female Fiction by following this link to their Official SoundCloud page and hear for yourself! Check out their setlist from the show below:
· “Barely Legal” (The Strokes cover)
· “Inside My Coffin”
· “YSJLIG”
· “Creature”
· “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” (Cage the Elephant cover)
Jerry Lucas is a local musician around town who everybody has seen at one point throughout his storied career. Jerry is also a well- known Lucas String Instrument repairman which has helped many musicians in the area get some needed TLC for their guitars. Jerry’s set was a breath of fresh air for the crowd that gathered thanks to his smooth, easy guitar play accompanied by his poignant, thoughtful lyrics.
Flint River Fellowship (FRF), who also graced the porch last year, came out ready for action from the get-go! FRF is an Atlanta based band that combines southern rock, funky blues, and old-school country. The band consists of; Kory Jones (guitar/vocals), Christian Brooks (guitar/vocals), Jered Moore (bass/vocals), and Elliot Phillips (drums). FRF is a favorite of mine, and I would be happy if they came to perform every year. Especially, if Kory and the boys cover a Sturgill Simpson each year. This year they covered “Turtles All the Way Down”, and well if you know me any that is the way to my musical heart.
Kenny Howes has been a stalwart in the music industry for decades since his start way back in 1990. Since then, Kenny has released seven (7) LPs, two (2) compilation LPs, two (2) EPs, and has been a part of six (6) various compilation LPs. Kenny brought all this incredible, music experience to Steve’s porch and wooed the crowd with his renowned, acoustic guitar skills. Follow this link to Kenny Howe’s Official SoundCloud page and hear this guitar virtuoso’s discography.
Tom Cheshire Band (TCB) is another musical creation by the genius mind of Tom Cheshire (West End Motel, The Rent Boys, & All Night Prowling Wolves) with help from Steve McPeeks (Upright bass) and Vic Carrente (guitar/vocals). During this set, Kory Jones from Flint River Fellowship sat in and played additional guitar. It is always a delight to see Tom perform in any band that he is associated with based on his great demeanor and wonderful vocal range. I am sure Tom will be performing next year in some capacity whether it be with TCB or West End Motel.
Chill Affinity is another band that I was familiar with from last year’s event and was excited to see them play again. Fronted by Chris Odom, Chill Affinity is a band that also brings a heavier vibe with their sound. They even helped Steve Quick (the man behind this little shindig) surprise his wife, Ann, by playing a cover of The Smashing Pumpkins song, “1979”, which incidentally is her favorite track by the band. When Steve was asked to join the band onstage and play bass, they started off playing “Schism” by Tool. This was part of the surprise because Ann believed this was the song that they were covering with her husband Steve. To see her reaction when she realized they were playing “1979” instead was priceless!
Hunter Callahan is another PorchFest veteran who is well known to rock the porch whenever he performs with his band. It was a pleasure to see Hunter perform again this year and hope to see him again in 2023! Follow this link to hear firsthand some of Hunter’s music. You can also stream his new single, “Peace” by following this link to Spotify.
Hey Dreamer, is the brainchild of Melody Kiser, who also is a PorchFest vet, with help from Dylan Hansen (drums) and Dustin Williams (bass/vocals). I love how their bio sums up the band: “At our core, we are three great friends… We make music!” You can check out their music by following this link to their Official Spotify page today! If you get an opportunity to see this band live, I recommend you do so. Trust me when I say you will not be disappointed at all. Melody insatiable appetite for riffs knows no bounds. Rather it be an original tune or a cover song such as “Barracuda” by Heart (which was played at this year’s event), Melody and her and her band, Hey Dreamer, will win you over upon first listen!
Blood on the Harp quickly became one of my favorites after last year’s event. Their complex mix of Americana, folk, and Southern Gothic drew me in after hearing songs such as: “Build Momma a Coffin”, “Cursed by Love”, and “Woke Up Dead” to name a few. Atlanta residents, Blood on the Harp regularly performs all over the Southeast, so if you can catch them perform somewhere, you better not sleep on this opportunity! Head over to Apple music and give Blood on the Harp a listen today!
Check out the set list from this evening’s performance:
· “Ornaments”
· “My Entity”
· “Build Momma a Coffin”
· “Maybe in a Year”
· “Tennessee Clay”
· “Wayfaring Stranger”
· “Dance Here
· “Here Comes the Flood”
· “Last Laugh”
· “Chrome Casket”
· “Heavy”
· “1692”
· “Cursed by Love”
The Headliner Band was this year’s closing band and they showed why they were chosen to end the festivities on such a high note. Next to Blood on the Harp, The Headliner Band was another group that I fell deeply in love with after a few songs. Maybe it is the way they carry themselves on stage? Maybe it is the swagger that they have on stage as they play each song meticulously? Or maybe it is the way they make each person in attendance feel elated when they are playing? Regardless of the reason, The Headliner Band is a band that you must check out when they are playing! Big facts! Just going to throw this out there, the first track they played was a request from yours truly! One can never get enough of UGK. R.I.P. Pimp C!
Check out this setlist from PorchFest ’22:
· “Diamonds & Wood” (UGK)
· “Don’t Start Now” (Dua Lipa)
· Introduction of the Band – “Feeling Love”
· “Won’t Do For Love” (Bobby Caldwell)
· “Mr. Magic” – (Grover Washington, Jr.)
· “So Fresh, So Clean” (Outkast)
· “Rock With You” (Michael Jackson)
· “Never Too Much” (Luther Vandross)
· “We R 1” (Maze)
· “Signal Song” (Jake Carter)
· “Go Home” (Jake Carter)
· “Tainted” (Slum Village)
· “Spottieottiedopalicious” (Outkast)
· “Addicted II Love” (The Headliner Band)
· “Closing Time” (Semisonic)
Head over to Concerthopper.com and check out my article from last year’s epic Porch Fest ’21 by following this link!
Not going to lie, I am counting down the days until the 5th Annual Steve’s South 6th Street Porch Fest in 2023. After having a blast, the last two years, I am happy that this is becoming an annual routine hanging with everyone and enjoying awesome music from some amazing people! Hope to see you there next year! Stay tuned to Concerthopper for some incredible concert photos and reviews coming in 2022!
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