WHICH SIDE? A PROTEST MUSIC TEACH-OUT Returns To Somerville In May

Which Side?: A Protest Music Teach-Out returns with another night of music, storytelling, and solidarity on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at The Burren Backroom in Somerville. 

Launched last July as an experiment in pairing protest songs with conversation, the series has grown into a vital monthly forum where artists and audiences come together to listen, reflect, and organize through music.

Inspired by James Sullivan's book Which Side Are You On?: 20th Century American History in 100 Protest Songs, the popular series uses historic protest music as a launching point for live performance and dialogue about the role of songs in movements for justice, resistance, and social change. Each month, musicians perform one song drawn from the scope of Sullivan's book alongside an original protest song, drawing direct lines between past struggles and today.

Produced by Joyce Linehan, Jon Lupfer, and Sullivan, the 90-minute program combines live performance, commentary, and audience participation, creating a space that's equal parts concert, teach-in, and community meeting.

“Seeing this series evolve has been gratifying. We have created this space where people can talk and laugh and explore great music that speaks to this dark time we are living through,” said Linehan. “The performers and speakers are provocative and inspiring, and the audience becomes part of a movement. Personally, I had no idea how much I would come to need this community!”

The series has welcomed an extraordinary range of Boston-area artists across generations, genres and backgrounds, including Ezra Furman, Naomi Westwater, Joe Gittleman (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones), Robin Lane, Will Dailey, Chad Stokes (Dispatch), Veronica Robles, Kemp Harris, Ryan Walsh (Hallelujah the Hills), David Champagne (Treat Her Right), Thea Hopkins, Laurie Sargent, Ali McGuirk, Tanya Donnelly and many more. Performances are being documented and archived at www.whichside.boston, creating a growing record of the project.

“Music is and always will be a unifying force,” said Sullivan. “Any despair or sense of futility we may be feeling in our own heads gets a welcome shot of hope when we come together to celebrate the power of song.”  

The May gathering will feature a fresh lineup of performers, including Joan Anderman, The Bags, Mark Erelli, Najee Janey, Brendan Murphy (Autumn Hollow), and Safiya, each backed by the house band, The Paid Protesters who will be led by Magen Tracy (keys), along with Paul Buckley (drums), Michelle Paulhus (bass), Mike Oram (guitar), Anthony Kaczynski (guitar) and Eric Salt (guitar/percussion).

Event Details:

• Date & Time: Tuesday, May 19, 8:00 p.m. (doors 7:00 p.m.)
• Location: The Burren Backroom, 247 Elm St, Somerville, MA
• Admission: Advance reservations are pay-what-you-can. All proceeds are used to pay performers and event staff. The shows are generally fully subscribed in advance, but a limited number of tickets may be available at the door on the night of the show.
• Seating Policy: Reservations strongly suggested; tickets will be released at 7:30 p.m. if not claimed. All ages welcome. Lineup subject to change without notice.