Toad Croaks, Alive and Well
Gypsy jazz croaks at Toad on Monday, 28 April 2025.
Zion Rodman and Christian Colegrove host an open mic upstairs at McCarthy’s every Monday.
Traditional folk music every night, 7-10PM, or until the Guinness runs out.
Ace the Quiz, Win the Tix
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Hump Nights
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Ace the Quiz, Win the Tix 〰️ Hump Nights 〰️
Hump Nights
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Ace the Quiz, Win the Tix
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Hump Nights 〰️ Ace the Quiz, Win the Tix 〰️
McCarthy’s & Toad
Two Bars, One Entrance at Porter Square
The McCarthy’s/Toad two-headed monster re-opened for business a few weeks back. The early returns are good for music lovers.
I walked into the Porter Square spot around 7PM on a Monday to discover no less than three acts performing, or preparing to perform, on what is typically the slowest and dreariest night of the week. If this is the kind of energy the establishment brings on a Monday, what are the weekends like?
Immediately upon stepping across the threshold I was greeted with the traditional folk strains of a guitar and bagpipe duo. Or maybe an uilleann pipe. At least I was certain about the brand of the beer sitting in front of the pair as they dutifully churned out mood music during Hour One of a three-hour block of traditional folk, scheduled seven days a week at McCarthy’s.
It was Guinness.
Zion Rodman & Christian Colegrove
Zion Rodman & Christian Colegrave
Upstairs guitar duo Zion Rodman and Christian Colegrove were emceeing an open mic. Each are solo musicians in their own right, but regularly join forces as musical partners and co-organizers of open mics around town. They host the McCarthy’s open mic every Monday night and a monthly version at Medford Brewing Company. If the sign-up sheet isn’t full enough, Rodman and Colegrove turn the event into their own concert, crafting a kind of folk rock blend full of harmonies.
Gypsy Jazz
Gypsy Jazz
If you’re looking for a vibe shift, head back downstairs and through the second threshold to Toad. Music has returned to the local, but long dormant, club.
A quartet of gypsy jazz musicians (didn’t catch the names, but they play all over the local area) lit up the stage. Whereas the traditional folk in the front room provides atmosphere, the open mic interactive fun, the performance at Toad felt like the connoisseur’s option. A professional act doing its thing. Pick your poison, they’ll all get you better.
One request: can we do something about the sound bleed from the front room into Toad? Bagpipes are lovely, but a jazz ensemble shouldn’t have to compete with their strident warbling.
Photo Gallery
A preview of highlights at Somerville Porchfest 2025.