Milford Porchfest East Shore Arrives September 6th: Meet the Unbelievable Artist Lineup

Milford Porchfest East Shore Arrives September 6th: Meet the Unbelievable Artist Lineup

Music lovers, mark your calendars! On Sunday, September 6, 2026, Milford Porchfest East Shore is bringing an extraordinary slate of talent to our coastal neighborhood. From hometown heroes and viral sensations to seasoned rock veterans, this year’s festival showcases the incredible breadth of local and regional music.

Here is an insider look at seven can't-miss acts taking the stage this year:

Lord of the Cello

A true local Milford resident, Lord of the Cello brings both unmatched instrumental artistry and unbelievable rock 'n' roll stories. Ask him about the time he played Elizabeth Taylor's wedding at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, operating under the watchful eye of strict security while navigating wild mid-ceremony surprises—including a rogue hang-glider interrupting "Besame Mucho" mid-song! His performance is guaranteed to be as unforgettable as his stories.

Hawkins French

A powerhouse Milford resident and ultimate hometown favorite, Hawkins French is hitting the Porchfest stage for his seventh consecutive year. Since 2019, Hawkins has played over 200 shows at top venues like The Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun and College Street Music Hall. Flanked by guitarists Jason Wolfe and Joe Frank, his high-energy set spans five decades of cover hits alongside raw original songs. Fresh off touring across Tennessee, Virginia, and Rhode Island, 2026 is shaping up to be his biggest year yet:

• Debut Album: His new album Almost Okay, featuring world-renowned cellist Dave Eggar, is out now on all streaming platforms.
• Movie Soundtracks: Listen for his vocals on the official soundtrack for the horror hit Terrifier 3!
• Fun Fact: When off-stage, Hawkins holds a 1000 ELO chess rating, placing him ahead of roughly 80% of players globally!

Bad Saints

Self-described as "five iPod-raised music addicts," Bad Saints is Connecticut’s hardest-working, genre-hopping cover band. Featuring Whitney (vocals), Gabi (rap/rhythm guitar), Paul (lead guitar/vocals), Andrew (bass/piano), and Lee (drums), this stylish crew specializes in turning quick drink stops into three-hour singalongs. They seamlessly jump between Top 40, rock, pop-punk, hip-hop, metal, and deep cuts.

• The Rap Sheet: Porchfest fixtures since 2021 (including Make Music Fairfield and Black Rock Porchfest), Bad Saints recently earned top online votes (341 votes!) in the 2026 Strangecreek Campout Battle of the Bands and have been featured on News 8/WTNH and Fairfield Magazine.

ZX3

We are thrilled to welcome back ZX3, a Southern Connecticut heritage Alternative Rock band that brings two lead guitar players and unmatched energy to every stage. Serving up dynamic alt-rock covers and memorable originals, ZX3 bridges generations from Gen Z to Boomers. Local veterans of Make Music Fairfield, Black Rock Porchfest, and the Norwalk Oyster Festival, you may also recognize them from their iconic annual sets at the "House with the Yellow Door" on Melba Street.

Herman & Company

If high-energy classic rock is your style, Herman & Company delivers decades of combined experience across soft rock classics and hard rock anthems. Featuring Joe Tadduni (vocals/guitar), Peter Deer (bass), JoJo Roberti (drums), and Herman Lammerts (keyboards), their wide-ranging setlists cover everything from the 60s to the 90s—spanning Paul Revere & the Raiders and The Turtles to Guns N' Roses, Billy Idol, Weezer, and the Beastie Boys!

• Bonus: Aside from their tight sound and extensive festival resume (Norwalk Oyster Festival, Make Music Fairfield, Black Rock Porchfest), they are renowned for having some of the coolest show art and gig posters around. Explore their gallery at hermanandcompany.com!

Dr. B & The Remedy

Led by Milford resident Bob Ehalt ("Dr. B"), this eclectic Rock and Roll / Folk-Rock group delivers musical healing across New England. Ranging from a lean trio to a full ensemble, the band features seasoned musicians Brendan Cavanaugh, Lori Farquhar, Fred Melillo, Kevin “Shaggy” Letsch, and local legend Doug Marino.

• Local Roots: Officially launching in late 2024 with a concert at the Milford Arts Council and a standout set at the inaugural Milford Lobster Fest, Dr. B and the band bring soulful covers (Allman Brothers, The Band, Grateful Dead) alongside potent original tracks. Catch more details at drbremedy.com.

Ashley Jo

Ridgefield native Ashley Jo is a 19-year-old country singer-songwriter taking the regional scene by storm. Known as "The Singing Goalie" after a viral 2022 TikTok video of her singing the national anthem in her hockey gear amassed 3.7 million views and nationwide media coverage (ESPN, NBC), she has built a massive community of over 70,000 TikTok followers.

• On the Rise: Having released her debut single at 16 (surpassing 360,000 Spotify streams) and written over 100 original songs, Ashley Jo balances life as a full-time recording artist playing NYC, CT, and Nashville with her studies at Monmouth University. She is backed by a talented band: Mike Mazzeo (lead guitar), Adam Machado (drums), Luke Shenk (bass), and Tim Cole (slide/guitar).

Plan your schedule, grab your lawn chairs, and come celebrate our vibrant local music community at Milford Porchfest East Shore on September 6th!