Boston Calling Music Festival returns this weekend to bring some of the biggest names in music (Sufjan Stevens! Sia! Robyn!) to our city as well as the up-and-comers (Unknown Mortal Orchestra! Christine & the Queens! The Front Bottoms!). While they’re all lovely, we would much rather see you catch some daytime sun while local acts give it their all in City Hall Plaza. So grab some shades, hit the turf, and say hello to Boston favorites you can’t miss this weekend.
PALEHOUND
Saturday @ 12:55 – 1:25pm
Xfinity Red Stage
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND: A result of neurotic overthinking.
WHY SEE YOUR SET: Because we’re a local band, and it could be really cool for people to get a look at what the local scene is like. Also because it is early in the day, and you can stand in the front to get a good spot for other acts.
MOST UNDERRATED SPOT IN BOSTON: Allston Diner.
GO-TO FESTIVAL SPOT: I’m usually eating or in the shade looking up at the trees while listening to the bands.
MUST-SEE BOSTON CALLING ACT: Courtney Barnett and Lizzo, ’cause they’re both amazing and are gonna be huge.
MICHAEL CHRISTMAS
Sunday @ 12:55 – 1:25pm
Xfinity Red Stage
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND: Genuine energy, positivity, and laughs drive my whole set from beginning to end.
WHY SEE YOUR SET: I’ve been performing for a while, and as a younger artist I make it a point to surprise people who haven’t heard of me at festivals. I’ve done a couple and I always make sure in the end people can say, “He put on the best show on the bill.” A lot of people turn lifelong fans off of one performance, and I keep that in mind every time.
MOST UNDERRATED SPOT IN BOSTON: Newbury Street if you wanna shop and see a lot of people or eat. Also Allston if you wanted to just have a cool stroll [and] maybe do some thrifting.
GO-TO FESTIVAL SPOT: I like to be to myself before my set, but once it’s over I walk around everywhere just exploring and meeting fans, taking pictures, and catching the other performers’ sets.
MUST-SEE BOSTON CALLING ACT: Vince Staples and Janelle Monae. I think they’re going to put on amazing shows.
LADY PILLS
Saturday @ 6:50 – 7:20pm
Verizon Stage
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND: We are an all-girl rock trio that takes influence from artists like Dinosaur Jr., The Raincoats, The Breeders, and more.
WHY SEE YOUR SET: Festival-goers should come see our set because it will be our first time playing in a setting that large. We are releasing our album next month, and we would love for people to come dance and sing with us and have a good time.
MOST UNDERRATED SPOT IN BOSTON: O’Leary’s Irish Pub and Restaurant. They have great live music and the bartenders are angels. It’s really difficult to go there and not make any new, awesome friends.
GO-TO FESTIVAL SPOT: During the festival we really just want to walk around and talk to anyone who wants to talk to us. There are going to be some great acts going on, but we really love to connect with the listeners and the audience.
MUST-SEE BOSTON CALLING ACT: PALEHOUND! Don’t. Miss. Them.
NEMES
Saturday @ 3:00 – 3:30pm
Verizon Stage
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND: Our band is a unique phoenix, like if the Everly Brothers binged on Red Bull and then got really pissed off. Energy from the heart.
WHY SEE YOUR SET: Because we play an awesome range of rock music spanning a lot of genres and styles with multiple great hooks and earworms that will sit in your head for days. The back-up reason you should see us is that we’re all really good-looking dudes, like statue of David good looking. Plus it’s also our first time playing Boston Calling, so you’ll be seeing a very unhinged version of ourselves.
MOST UNDERRATED SPOT IN BOSTON: My apartment.
GO-TO FESTIVAL SPOT: Usually at the left corner of a stage trying to figure out how the logistics of a band’s set work. Either that or watching some electronic artist and dancing like an idiot.
MUST-SEE BOSTON CALLING ACT: You really should see everyone. I mean, the ticket is over $80, and if you’re going to drop that kind of dough on concert tickets you’d better get your money’s worth, so I’d suggest getting your ass there early with a big water bottle.
BOSTON CALLING. FRI 5.27 – SUN 5.29. CITY HALL PLAZA, 1 CITY HALL SQ., BOSTON. 12PM/ALL AGES/$185. BOSTONCALLING.COM.
