Minneapolis Uptown Porchfest 2025: 87 bands across one neighborhood in an afternoon

I hate to admit that I’ve never been to a porchfest, until today, when I headed out to the Uptown Porchfest. Even with construction, rainy morning and sweltering afternoon, it was awesome. There are 87 bands in Uptown; I think technically it’s the Wedge neighborhood. It seems like there are 1-2 bands every block. There is a variety of genres and tons of people.

I have learned at other music fests that the best way for me to experience it is to start at one end and walk aimlessly until I get too tired, too hot or kicked out. Subsequently I missed bands I would have loved to see if I were a planner. But I also saw bands that I haven’t seen – or even heard of – before. For someone who sees as much music as I do, that’s a treat!

I did my best to track who I saw but wrestling a map, phone and index in the bright sunshine is tricky for me. Big thanks to the planners, the musicians and the hosts offering front porch stages. It’s such a charming way to see music and great way to spend a summer Saturday.

Here’s a list of the bands I think I saw.

• Ian Felton
• Moonzout
• Pity Party
• Dee Langley and the Masked Accordions
• Bee and the Knees
• Mark
• The Sound Insurgent
• The Real Chuck Norad
• Mortaholics
• Psycodelic
• The Getup Mondays
• Hunny Bear
• Mommy Log Balls
• The Hamm Sammies
• Wood Hoops
• The Sound Insurgent