Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a paid gig?
Yes! We offer a $50 stipend (provided by a Missouri Arts Council grant) for each band. We will continue to do so as long as we’re awarded that grant. We also strongly encourage attendees to tip bands. Please bring a tip jar, and don’t feel bad about asking for tips! Our top goal is for this to be worth your time.
Will I need to bring my own sound equipment?
Yes, in almost all cases. We are clueless about sound equipment and don’t have any ourselves. However, a few Porch Hosts in the neighborhood are musicians, so if you absolutely can’t bring your own equipment, we may be able to pair you with them.
What kind of music is played at Porchfest?
We have a wide variety of genres every year: Folk, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, jazz, hip hop, worship, funk, swing, classical, world music... We’re cool with almost anything as long as it’s family-friendly.
Do I have to submit a performance sample?
If you have played at Porchfest before: No.
If you haven’t played at Porchfest before: Yes. We cannot accept performers that haven’t submitted a sample. Because we get a lot of applications, we generally won’t chase you down for one either, so please make sure to include the link with your application or email it to us shortly after submitting. That being said, the sample certainly doesn’t need to be fancy — a 1-2 minute clip, video or just audio, is enough. A file or a YouTube/social media link is fine.
Can I sell my band’s merch at Porchfest?
Yes, as long as it’s reasonably family-friendly!
Can non-musical acts perform at Porchfest?
Yes! We haven’t had many non-musical performers over the years, so our signup process is tailored to musicians. But we’d certainly be open to dance, comedy, poetry, theatre, sandwich construction seminars, or whatever you can dream up as long as it’s family-friendly. Fill out the signup form above as best you can, and we’ll reach out to you to work out details.
When/how will I found out if I’ve been accepted?
Via email in June, hopefully. The number of bands we can accept depends on the number of Porch Hosts we can recruit, so it can vary.
When/how will I found out my location and time slot?
Via email in August or early September. We’ll give you contact details for your Porch Host, and all coordination beyond the time slot will be between you and them.
How long will my set be?
About 45 minutes. A new set of bands starts at the top of every hour, so please watch your time to ensure your set doesn’t bleed into anyone else’s.
Can I play longer than 45 minutes or play multiple slots?
No. We have 50+ bands play every year and have to turn some applicants away, so each band gets the same amount of time as a matter of fairness.
My question isn’t answered here. Should I just ask ChatGPT?
The ability of robots to plan cute little music festivals has not yet caught up to humans’. Email us your question at northheightsporchfest@gmail.com, and we’ll give you a charmingly flawed answer that only a person can provide.