Photos + Review by Amanda Daubert – There is no better way to kick off the unofficial start to summer than the Boston Calling Music Festival! Known for their incredible line-up of performers, across multiple stages, plus delicious food and beverage options, this year’s festival had a great reputation to live up to…and day one did not disappoint!
The festival kicked off with Boston’s very own singer-songwriter, Alisa Amador. Known for her soulful performances that beautifully blend her soothing and captivating voice with unique folk, jazz and latin influences, Amador was the perfect welcome to an excited flock of festival attendees. Amador was just one of many hometown artists featured in day one’s line-up. Other hometown artists included: GA-20, Blue Light Bandits, Brandie Blaze, Summer Cult, and Tivoli Audio’s Orange Stage Headliner – Little Fuss.
Heading over to the Green Stage we found Toronto’s most loveable girl band, The Beaches. As two-time Juno Award winners for Breakthrough Group of the Year in 2018, and Rock Album of the Year in 2022, these four women are no stranger to the spotlight, however Boston Calling is a huge event for any band! When asked how they prepare for an event like this, the band said “Practice, practice, practice!! Luckily we’re fresh off a month long tour so we’re really tight. For a festival set list we like to make sure that we keep it really upbeat and energetic, so we choose to play songs with that specific feel. We wanna get as many eyes / ears to perk up as possible.” And it wasn’t all about work for the band, they were just as excited to be a fan too. “The Boston Calling lineup is absolutely insane. We are stoked to see Foo Fighters, Niall Horan, Paramore and our girls, The Aces!!” However before they left to enjoy the rest of the festival we wanted to know, what’s next? “We are releasing a new record in September which we’re so excited about. We’ll be touring across North America in the fall and can’t wait to come back and play Boston again!” So be on the lookout for that upcoming album and a headlining date in Boston, or a city near you!
Making our way over to the Blue Stage we found fellow Canadian, TALK. This Ottawa native released his debut single “Run Away to Mars” in June 2021, however he watched his beautiful song skyrocket in 2022 after going viral on TikTok. By January 2023 “Run Away to Mars” reached #1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative chart. For those of you who have yet to witness TALK, be prepared to fall in love with this unique, vulnerable, and unapologetically true artist from the moment he graces the stage. Fans were in awe of this incredible performer who truly captivated the crowd. We caught up with TALK prior to his set to find out who he was most excited to see during the festival, “I’m really excited and honoured to be part of this awesome lineup at Boston Calling! The Foo Fighters are heroes of mine, so of course I can’t wait to see them. I’m also looking forward to watching Niall Horan. We met recently for the first time. He’s a really nice person and I’m sure his show is going to be great.”
Another Blue Stage stand-out performer was the soulful Teddy Swims. This incredible singer-songwriter began his career in alternative, post-harcore, and hair metal cover bands before giving the world a glance at his abilities as a solo artist with viral covers of Michael Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Amy Winehouse, and Shania Twain. Swims had the Boston Calling crowd singing along to one of his infamous covers with his rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing.” Swims incredible vocals and musical range were on full display yesterday as fans stood in awe of this talented performer who epitomizes the adage that “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”
Day one also featured sets from Razor Braids, Westport, Connecticut’s very own Chelsea Cutler, Boston’s beloved Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys – a late addition, taking the place of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs who were unable to perform due to illness, amongst others. With 16 performances, across the four stages, plus making time to check out some of the incredible food offerings, it was a full day…but there was one more act!
Last but not least, the moment so many had been waiting for, headliners for day one…Foo Fighters! After almost 30 years, with a laundry list of accolades from Grammy’s to MTV Music Video awards, countless nominations across almost every renowned music institution, and 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, fans were ready to be in awe of this iconic rock band for the ages! The excitement from the crowd was easily matched by newly appointed drummer, Josh Freese who wore a t-shirt that said “Fingers Crossed For The New Guy.” But no luck was needed, Freese put on an amazing show filling the stadium grounds with the heart pounding beats from his double kick drums, absolutely nailing the performance and solidifying that he is the perfect replacement for an seemingly irreplaceable artist. The set list featured so many incredible hits like “All My Life,” “Learn to Fly,” and “The Pretender,” while offering a few surprise guests including Dave Grohl’s daughter Violet who provided her beautiful vocals for “Shame Shame” and “Rope,” plus guest drummer Shane Hawkin’s for a killer performance of “I’ll Stick Around.” At the end of the night Grohl let the audience know that they don’t “do the whole encore thing”, nor do they say goodbye, because they hope that isn’t what this is. Instead they concluded the night with a full crowd singalong of “Everlong,” and there couldn’t have been a better ending.
It was truly a jam-packed day filled with unforgettable sets, delicious food, and incredible fans! Now it’s time to do it all again!
Day One Artist List: Foo Fighters, Dropkick Murphys, The National, Niall Horan, Chelsea Cutler, Teddy Swims, Razor Braids, TALK, Celisse, The Beaches, Zolita, GA-20, Alisa Amador, Little Fuss, Blue Light Bandits, Summer Cult, and Brandie Blaze.
