Boston Calling returned home this past Memorial Day weekend with three days packed with music for everybody. Taking some suggestions after logistics concerns last year, the fest sported one huge rotating main stage, the Green Stage, making it easy for attendees to see performances even from far back. The Blue Stage remained in its typical spot, and the smaller Orange Stage was back yet again to showcase some incredible local Boston talent. The schedule was split up nicely this year, with each day seeming to highlight a different genre from country to alternative to rock.
Day 1
Day 1 was country day over at Harvard Athletics. Dedicated fans spent most of the day in the rain, but this didn’t stop a large crowd gathering for Megan Moroney and Luke Combs to close out the main stage. Combs kicked off his set with his famous beer shotgun and played hits like “Where the Wild Things Are” and the appropriately named “When It Rains It Pours” as he performed most of his set in the rain. Moroney drew an equally impressive if not larger crowd over to the Green Stage earlier today; the up-and-coming country artist has two upcoming sold-out dates at Boston’s Roadrunner later in August, as well as plenty of other tour dates around the country.
In addition to music, Boston Calling once again brought back the Doordash food village with lots of options from local vendors. I was partial to the Smoke Shop BBQ fries and pimento mac and cheese, as well as the sweet treats being made by Blackbird Donuts. Sponsor booths were also in full swing, with appearances by Dunkin’, Subaru, Bud Light, and more. Subaru was arguably the most practical booth to visit, however, with probably 80% of the crowd sporting bright blue Subaru ponchos by the end of the night.
Wilderado
On Friday, we also got to grab some photos of Wilderado after their performance earlier in the day on the Green Stage. The indie folk band is currently touring the US in support of their latest album Talker that was released back in September. Despite the rain that would just not let up on Friday, these guys were in great spirits, excited to keep getting their name out there and chatting with lots of people about their music.
Day 2
Day 2 brought out the pop punk and emo crowd, with throwback performances by Avril Lavigne, The Maine, Cage the Elephant, and headliner Fall Out Boy. For those not as interested in this scene, the Blue and Orange stages also held their own throughout this day. Rapper T-Pain absolutely crushed his set closing out the Blue stage, getting the whole crowd dancing as he mixed his own music with plenty of covers like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “All I Do Is Win.” Orange Stage highlights included a fun alternative set by Megan From Work and a strong closing set by hip-hop artist and Boston native Latrell James.
Saturday also was notably the busiest day of the festival as well, with fans packing the Green Stage for a nearly 30-song set by Fall Out Boy to close out the evening. The band certainly knows how to put on a performance, with flames coming out of instruments and inflatable animals taking over the stage throughout the set. They made sure to hit most of their eras, with older hits like “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark” as well as material off their newest record So Much (For) Stardust.
Holy Roller
Saturday we got to spend a couple minutes getting photos of Southern rock group Holy Roller, the group made up partially of former members of Big Mama Shakes, another well-known Southern rock group. Though Saturday was dry for the most part, we got caught for a little while in some intense rain early in the day, but, like Wilderado, Holy Roller were good sports about posing in front of the infamous Boston Calling media area step and repeat, and were happy to talk about their set and their music.
Day 3
Sunday took Boston Calling back to its rock roots – you can’t really have a Boston Calling without a solid rock headliner, and Dave Matthews Band filled that spot this year. In addition to them, attendees saw sets from Vampire Weekend and ska band Sublime. Sunday’s undercard was also arguably one of the strongest of the weekend, with incredible performances earlier in the day by IDKHOW, SNACKTIME, Goth Babe, Remi Wolf, and Mo Lowda & the Humble.
Mo Lowda & The Humble
The rain finally let up for us to grab some more fun photos on Sunday. First up we had the chance to see Philly indie rock band Mo Lowda and the Humble and snap some photos away from the media tent out in the grass. The group is currently slated to release their fifth album Tailing the Ghost in just under a month before going on a full tour in the fall. This summer will bring a few more festival performances, including one at Greenfield, MA’s Green River Festival later in June.
SNACKTIME
Our last round of photos for the weekend was with the incredibly fun alternative and r&b band SNACKTIME. They rocked the matching jerseys customized with the band name and logo and had lots of fun posing for us on the tennis courts. SNACKTIME will play a bunch of festivals in June and July, including the infamous Newport Folk Festival in Newport, RI. Later this summer, they’ll be going on tour supporting Fitz and the Tantrums, with a stop at Boston’s House of Blues on August 18th. Definitely check them out!
Closing out day 3 and the entire weekend was a solid performance by Dave Matthews Band, who played a nearly two-hour set to wrap up the festival. Highlights included hits like “Crash Into Me” and staples like “Ants Marching” and “What Would You Say.” Overall, Boston Calling 2025 was a success. While not as packed and crazy as last year’s fest, the more chill vibe allowed for a more enjoyable experience for fans as well as a nicely curated schedule over the three days. We’ll have to wait and see what Boston Calling has in store for next year!
GALLERY: Boston Calling Festival at Harvard Athletics (May 23-25, 2025)
