Day four of Philly Music Fest brought a full-on celebration of local artistry, filling both stages at Underground Arts on Thursday, October 16. The night’s lineup, made up of Black Buttafly, Grace Gardner, Archawah, and headliner Matt Quinn of Mt. Joy, reflected the week’s spirit of collaboration and community.

Black Buttafly at Underground Arts. Photos: Emma Zoe Polyak

Black Buttafly at Underground Arts. Photos: Emma Zoe Polyak

The night opened with Black Buttafly, whose soulful performance set a warm, grounded tone. Performing at XPoNential Festival just a few weeks ago, Black Buttafly is the project of keyboardist and singer-songwriter Kayla Childs, whose dynamic set blended funk, jazz, and R&B.

Next up was Grace Gardner, a transplant from Texas who now calls Philly home. Gardner’s easygoing charm quickly won over the crowd as she delivered her songs with emotion and heart.

Across the venue, Archawah returned to the smaller stage with a rocking set that got the crowd moving. The crowd was practically buzzing, and you could tell that the night was building up to something big.

Grace Gardner at Underground Arts. Photos: Emma Zoe Polyak

Grace Gardner at Underground Arts. Photos: Emma Zoe Polyak

By the time Matt Quinn took the stage, the main room at Underground Arts was packed. His set started out unassuming, with just Quinn and his guitar on stage, but five songs in, Quinn started inviting special guests onstage. Guitarist Kevin Hanson was first, and with each song, more musicians filtered in. By “Out on the Weekend,” a Neil Young cover, Quinn’s full band was onstage, and by “Use Me,” Devon Gilfillian and SNACKTIME had joined the stage, horns and all. With their appearance, the music shifted from Quinn’s signature folk to more funk and soul.

Grace Gardner made her way back onstage as well, joining Quinn for “Fruits of my Labor” and “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking.” But perhaps no guest was more surprising – and more fitting for a Philly music celebration – than the Eagles’ own Jordan Mailata, who came on stage to sing a cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie.” It should be no surprise that Mailata has pipes, given his involvement with The Philly Specials – a trio made up of fellow Eagles Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, and Mailata – but the crowd’s enthusiastic reaction reflected just how impressed they were by his voice.

Matt Quinn at Underground Arts. Photos: Emma Zoe Polyak

Matt Quinn at Underground Arts. Photos: Emma Zoe Polyak

Although the night leaned heavily on covers, Quinn brought it back to his own material to close things out with Mt. Joy’s “Astrovan.” Every artist from the night crowded onto the small stage, and the crowd sang along word for word; a fitting finale that captured the night’s true spirit of community.Philly Music Festival will be back at Underground Arts for two more nights of spectacular music. Golden Apples, Kulfigirls, and The Wonder Years are some of the bands playing on Friday and Saturday, with many other shows taking place at The Fallser Club, MilkBoy, and Solar Myth over the weekend. You can find out more information about the full lineup here!

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