Event Preview

By Olivia Roth - Local Music

 

Front porches across Athens will come alive with the sounds of local music on Sunday as the seventh annual Historic Athens Porchfest turns neighborhoods into stages. The all-day event will feature a diverse blend of music that showcases the soul of the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guido Hrovat, a member of the Athens band Beast Mode, plays the drums outside of Pulaski Heights BBQ during the 2023 Historic Athens Porchfest. The annual event converts front porches into stages to host live performances. (Photo/Andrea Hudson)

 

Historic Athens first organized Porchfest in 2019 and featured 70 porches across four neighborhoods. This Sunday, the event is anticipated to break previous records with a turnout of 260 performances across seven neighborhoods, emphasizing the rapid growth of the city’s musical community. The neighborhoods featured in 2025 include Boulevard Historic District, Buena Vista Heights, Cobbham, Newtown, Normaltown, Pulaski Heights and Reese-Hancock.

 

Denise Sunta, senior director of operations for Historic Athens and co-chair of Porchfest, is entering her second year of supporting the event. Sunta said the festival continues to grow each year.

 

“It brings together folks from all types of different backgrounds within our community together to celebrate something that our that Athens is very well known for, which is music, in addition to our history.”

 

While event organizers focus on logistics, performers have the opportunity to reach audiences in a way that traditional venues often don't. Musician Marcelo Buril and his band The Original Screw Tops will be among the many performers this year. Porchfest doesn’t just draw in crowds but also helps local bands grow their following.

 

“You got people that don’t really know your band, haven’t heard about it, but they just so happen to be there and all of a sudden, you have followers,” Buril said.

 

In addition to artist exposure, Porchfest also offers opportunities for local vendors to engage with the Athens community, raise sales and incorporate their specialties into the festivities.

 

Companies including Cafe Racer, Massey Law, Athens Cooks, Cali ‘n Tito’s, Arcollab and Athentic Brewing Company are just a few of this year's sponsors.

 

Paul Skinner, owner of Athentic Brewing Company, said that his brand has supported Athens Porchfest since before the brewery’s opening.

 

“It’s the perfect combination of bringing folks to Athens, engaging our communities and sharing some of the beautiful music that comes out of this town,” he said.

 

Skinner also mentioned Athentic Brewing Company's collaboration with Historic Athens to brew a special beer titled Lost Places Lager, made with fonio grain from West Africa. The can’s design will feature a special QR code with access to the Historic Athens website, allowing attendees to further explore their mission of preserving cultural landmarks throughout Athens.

 

This year, Porchfest is introducing a new GPS technology to its website, developed by graduate students in the University of Georgia’s New Media Institute, along with software engineers. Sunta explained how the interactive map allows attendees to view where and when specific bands perform. This can be completed in only the press of a button, making the porch hopping process stress-free.

 

Porchfest is set to kick off its festivities at noon, continuing through the day until 8 p.m., giving attendees enough time to explore Athens’ neighborhoods, listen to music and embrace the atmosphere that continues to grow in the community.