Festival organizers and publicity call it their biggest, most exciting lineup yet. From Alabama Shakes to Walk The Moon, Of Monsters And Men, and Alt-J, the sixth iteration of the Boston Calling Music Festival is a dizzying and diverse array of today’s need-to-know music artists, with tomorrow’s up-and-comers sprinkled in the mix. As per tradition, Atwood Magazine is here with (y)our guide to Beantown’s most musical weekend, a festival preview with everything you need to know to make the most of Boston Calling 2015!
HIGHLIGHTS
This September’s lineup offers a selection of popular music from all walks of life. As usual, there’s a heavy focus on the ‘indie’ genres: indie folk (Of Monsters And Men, Daughter); indie rock (Alt-J, CHVRCHES); and indie pop (Walk The Moon, MisterWives). This season’s music festival also includes a collection of singer-songwriters (Hozier, Ben Howard), electronic music (Chromeo, Skylar Spence), and folk rock (Father John Misty, The Avett Brothers). After all is said and done, Sunday night will cap things off with the unmatched rock and soul of Alabama Shakes.
KEEPING IT LOCAL
Forever faithful to its name, Boston Calling always makes sure its patrons know it to be Boston’s music festival. Despite an increasingly corporate sponsors list, Boston Calling has been a major and constant supporter of local business and talent since its inception in 2013. In past festivals, that hometown vibe has presented itself through a Samuel Adams-sponsored beer garden, a plethora of in-grounds food trucks, and art installations. While the local food and beverage presence will continue in full swing this year, the most notable recognition will come from a local music memorabilia exhibit entitled “A History of Live Music in Boston” in the VIP area, a collection of over 100 pieces of local music memorabilia showcased by rock historian David Bieber. If you happen to have a VIP pass, make sure to check this out!
In addition to supporting local food and art, Boston Calling espouses support for local bands: The festival’s openers have always been Massachusetts-based acts, and this year’s fresh picks – Boston’s Grey Season and Cambridge’s Dirty Bangs – promise to rock our faces off and get us in the mood for nine more hours of musical onslaught. The goal of presenting top-tier artists while exposing local talent is a noble one, and it’s refreshing to be a part of a festival that embraces its host city. Boston Calling would be nothing without Boston.
WRAP-UP
Festivals are one of the few instances that allow for, and perhaps even encourage extensive musical cross-pollination. Where else would you catch a folk, rock, synthpop, indie, and electronic music all in the same 10-hour span? The truth is, Boston Calling has always been a melting pot when it comes to music, and that’s just what festival-goers should expect: Bombardment by artists of all shapes and colors. Make sure to catch Father John Misty and Walk The Moon on Saturday, and you’d be remiss to miss Alabama Shakes or Daughter on Sunday. See below for more about these and many more of this exciting weekend’s talented lineup!
There’s no two ways about it: Boston Calling is the place to be this side of the Charles.
BOSTON CALLING MUSIC FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 2015
Schedule
Gates Open: 6pm
6:15 pm
Gregory Alan Isakov
7:25 pm
Of Monsters and Men
9:10 pm
The Avett Brothers
- Schedule
- Grey Season
- Skylar Spence
- Doomtree
- Stephen Malkmus
- Sturgill Simpson
- Father John Misty
- Walk The Moon
- Chromeo
- CHVRCHES
- Alt-J
Schedule
Gates Open: 12pm
1:00 pm
Grey Season
1:35 pm
Skylar Spence
2:20 pm
Doomtree
3:05 pm
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks
4:00 pm
Sturgill Simpson
4:55 pm
Father John Misty
6:00 pm
Walk the Moon
7:05 pm
Chromeo
8:10 pm
CHVRCHES
9:35 pm
alt-J
- Schedule
- Dirty Bangs
- Bully
- Fidlar
- Daughter
- Twin Shadow
- MisterWives
- Nate Ruess
- Ben Howard
- Hozier
- Alabama Shakes
Schedule
Gates Open: 12pm
1:05 pm
Dirty Bangs
1:40 pm
Bully
2:25 pm
FIDLAR
3:10 pm
Daughter
4:05 pm
Twin Shadow
5:00 pm
MisterWives
6:05 pm
Nate Ruess
7:10 pm
Ben Howard
8:15 pm
Hozier
9:30 pm
Alabama Shakes
![Boston Calling Fall 2015](https://cdn-0.atwoodmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Boston-Calling1-e1443111228678.png)
What to bring:
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Earplugs
- Sweater/Sweatshirt (evening temp drops to the high 50s)
- Non-professional film and digital cameras
- (1) Factory-sealed bottle of water (non-glass container)
- A small clear plastic bag (no backpacks are allowed inside the festival)
- Valid Driver’s License for will-call and/or to drink alcohol
- Comfortable footwear
- Food
What NOT to bring:
- Large bags/backpacks (bags can be no larger than 12” x 12”)
- Weapons of any kind
- Professional cameras & recording devices (no SLR/DSLR or cameras with detachable lenses)
- Illegal substances
- Squirt guns, misters, spray bottles, etc
- Laser pens and similar focused-light devices
- Chairs / Strollers
- Cans, canteens, flasks (empty camelbacks and water bottles will be allowed)
- Pets
- Bicycles, scooters, personal motorized vehicles
- Musical instruments
- Sleeping bags (no overnight camping or sleepovers)
- Umbrellas
- Any container of liquid other than 1 factory sealed bottle of water
- Totem poles or flag sticks
- Candy
- Walkie Talkies
- Fake IDs – they will be confiscated and your wristband will be cut without refund.
Be Safe and Have Fun!
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For more Boston Calling information, go to: bostoncalling.com
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