This article was incorrectly credited in the printed June issue of Pulse. It was written by Sara Arnold. We apologize to Sara and our readers for the confusion.

The Midnight Riders are a band that’s truly rooted in Worcester.

“We like that the gigs are close to where we live and practice. Worcester has a fun music scene with great venues and bands, and the people here love live music,” says vocalist/guitarist Joe Collard. “It’s a great place to build connections with other musicians, sound technicians, and professionals in the industry.”

The Midnight Riders are a rock-based band influenced by pop, indie, blues, metal, and funk, all tied together with a healthy dose of jamming. They play both covers and originals, and are currently writing new material to incorporate into upcoming shows. One of their upcoming releases, “Gold Top Twist,” is a funky rock song, and their full album is set to drop later this summer.

“Growing up in and around Worcester, it was the place to be,” Collard adds, “The number of things that it offers, whether that be colleges, restaurants, or shopping, makes it a very comfortable and welcoming place to be. In general, we love all the various opportunities that Worcester provides!”

The band members grew up in the Wachusett Regional area, but now all live in Worcester.

They perform regularly throughout the city, with past gigs at venues like Off The Rails, Worcester MCL, Worcester Country Club, Bay State Brewery, Harpoon Beer Garden, and the DCU Center.

Of course, any good band hits the road once in a while. Upcoming out-of-town shows include the Magnolia Theater in East Hampton on May 29th and Sanctuary in Maynard on June 12th. They’ve also played The St. Charles in Millbury and venues across various towns and cities.

But Worcester was not guaranteed for the members of The Midnight Riders. 

“We picked Worcester because of the fantastic music venues and high-energy crowds that Worcester has to offer,” bassist/vocalist Haber explains, “We practice at one of our apartments. We self-record all of our music and bring our equipment to various destinations to gain inspiration from the surroundings. It’s a great chance to get away from the hustle and bustle and focus on our creative pursuits by having a combined vacation and recording time.”

Their shows tend to draw a crowd mostly in their 30s and up, but they keep things family-friendly.  “In general, our music is for anyone who appreciates the sound of a real and authentic rock band,” says lead guitarist/vocalist Joe Miele. 

Education is as important as music to The Midnight Riders. Collard studies at Nichols College, and Haber attends Worcester State. Haber described himself as a voracious reader who has been playing piano since he was five and started the saxophone at a young age as well. Miele, a student at WPI, started playing the banjo at nine and picked up the guitar ten years ago. Lifelong drummer Jonathan Godbout, who joined the band in 2024, attends Bridgewater State and has competed on four seasons of American Ninja Warrior.

The band is grateful for the support of local businesses and their growing fan base. “Nothing makes us happier than seeing people enjoy themselves at our shows,” said Miele. “That energy is what keeps us going.”

Follow The Midnight Riders on Instagram @midnightriders.band, Facebook @themidnightridersbandma, YouTube @themidnightriders1474, or check out their website at midnightriders.band.