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t may be Oriental’s largest annual event: the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival brings musicians and music lovers from all over the states to town for two days of free music.

Sasha Dubyk of Damn Tall Buildings. They closed out the Festival Saturday night.

Cooler weather brought out the crowds while acts from New York (Damn Tall Buildings and Driftwood), the Pacific Northwest (Minda Lacy), and – of course – North Carolina took to the main stage.

Al Strong on Trumpet. As Saturday’s brief rain fell, he and his band did a jazz rendition of ‘Rain, rain, go away.’

Crowds had the chance to see champion fingerpickers (Christie Lenée), IBMA award winners (Cane Mill Road), and Grammy nominees (Al Strong) as they walked or biked around the village.

Hooverville at the Stallings House. Lead singer John Bemis has ties to Oriental – he grew up in Pamlico and his mother Claudia plays with the Uhoos.

In the mix were returning local favorites like Harbor Sounds and Ken Belangia, Dust Parade and Hooverville, Moore’s Creek Bluegrass and the Gospel Ensemble.

It happens every year, rain or shine, and is always free.

A recurring favorite at the festival (and most Oriental events): dogs. This one seemed less interested in the music than its humans.

The Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival will return October 4 & 5, 2024.

Damn Tall Buildings is Sahsa Dubyk on bass, Max Capistran on guitar, and Avery Ballotta on fiddle. Everyone helps out on vocals.

Damn Tall Buildings thanked Doug Sligh for bringing them to town and Chris Daniels for the excellent sound quality.

Ken Belangia is a resident and local favorite, playing throughout Oriental during the year.

Christie Lenée played several sets around town: the main stage, the brewery, and a workshop at OUMC.

Fred at his first Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival.

The Gospel Ensemble used to be on a porch – now they’re in the church and always draw a large crowd.

The Uhoos – Oriental’s Ukulele band.

Local band Hoff n’ Finch always draw a crowd with their energetic and personable sound.

Chris and Connor Daniels (no relation) managed sound for the main stage – and received glowing compliments from several bands for their efforts.

Americana / Folk-Rock band came from Binghamton, New York to play the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival.

While there were a lot of dogs at the festival, there was only one parrot. He and his matching human were checking out the food vendors along the river.

Locals were a big part of the festival – either as talent, like TerryLynn Melody and Eric Pittman – or as support, like Kate Roelke from new Village Brewery.

The lawn of the Riverfront stage as headliners Damn Tall Buildings played.

Festival staple and local favorite Harbor Sounds opened the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival on Friday, playing on the Riverfront Stage.

The weather was cooperative this year: cool and only a few minutes of rain.

The Well Drinkers – a North Carolina Band – were on the main stage, playing original bluegrass and Americana.

Though not bluegrass or Americana, the Pamlico Flutes are a staple of the annual festival. It could be said they bring a bit of civility to the place.

The tools of the trades: steel fingerpicks, a bass bow, and a shoe tambourine.

Even the dogs want to watch. This one perched on their human to get a better view.

Inside Oriental United Methodist Church – the ‘porch’ venue for the Gospel Ensemble.

Festival favorites Cane Mill Road formed in Deep Gap, NC – home of bluegrass legend Doc Watson.

Christie Lenée won the international fingerpicking guitar championship in 2017. Here, she plays the 12-string at New Village Brewery.

Greg Hanson and John Bemis of Hooverville joke between songs.

Dust Parade are frequent musical guests at the Ol Front Porch Music Festival and the New Village Brewery.

This pup kept off the concrete floor during Dust Parade’s set by standing on their human.

Minda Lacy, with Ben Tate, played three porches in town: Marsha’s Cottage, Nautical Wheelers, and the Brewery.

Al Strong and Band on the main stage, Saturday afternoon.

Moore’s Creek Bluegrass with Jill Harris.

Lydia Salett Dudley and Lou Padro played Jazz on the Roe Porch.

Buddy, the chocolate lab of Veterinarian Dr. Hicks, looks ready for his nap.

The Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival will return October 4 & 5, 2024.

Posted Wednesday October 11, 2023 by Allison DeWeese