Porchfest hit Somerville earlier this year, beckoning listeners to take a tour of the town that came alive with porch-front rock and acoustic afternoon jams. The pastime happens every year, uniting local musicians with a live audience without having to book a venue gig. Listeners hopped from house to house, catching songs from the bands who, for one afternoon, used the porches of Somerville houses as their stage and filled the town with reggae, rock, blues and more waves of music.

Now, after three successful Somerville Porchfests, the tradition is migrating over the river to Boston. The first ever Jamaica Plain Porchfest will take place Saturday, July 19, 2014 from noon to 4 p.m. with a rain date of July 20. On 35 residential stages, more than 60 musicians and bands will set up shop on the porches for an afternoon filled with music and good vibes. For the complete map, schedule and list of bands, click here.

The best part about Porchfest, both in Jamaica Plain and Somerville, is that it’s legal. Somerville’s version is conducted by Somerville Arts Council, and JP’s is an all-volunteer event, orchestrated by Marie Ghitman and Mindy Fried, who reached out to neighborhood organizations like Hyde Square Task Force, Egleston Main Streets and Centre/South Main Streets to make sure the event goes smoothly.

In recent years, Boston’s underground music scene has been sufficiently stifled by Boston Police, who cracked down on the unregulated basement and apartment shows taking place in the city. Porchfest gives local artists the chance to come out of the woodwork and have their music heard by Bostonians out in the open air, without worrying about getting shut down.

Following the Jamaica Plain Porchfest, The Milky Way, located at 284 Armory Street, will host an after-party from 4:30 to 8 p.m. with all-you-can-eat pizza for $5. Learn more about JP Porchfest, and how to support local artists, here.

Image via JPPorchfest.org