It’s here. Boston Calling kicks off this holiday weekend, and as usual, Vanyaland has you covered. We’ve been rolling out news on the festival since the lineup first dropped in January, and now we’re ready to post up at Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston for three days of fun n’ sun.
Hit our Boston Calling recap page for the latest, and follow us on Instagram for real-time updates and photography as the weekend unfolds. We’ve already previewed, reviewed, and hyped a handful of the performers — like Foo Fighters, Sorry Mom; The Q Tip Bandits; The Linda Lindas, The National; Genesis Owusu; The Walkmen; and 7 songs we can’t wait to hear live — but below are some festival basics all in one handy spot.
For specific questions about the festival, like bag policies, transportation guides, and other preparation tips, hit the Boston Calling FAQ. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and we’ll see y’all out in the wild.
Full Lineup
There’s already been some changes for the 2023 performer lineup since it was announced back in January — like Razor Braids in to LÉON and this week’s news of Dropkick Murphys replacing a sick Yeah Yeah Yeahs — but the bulk of the bill has remained intact. Foo Fighters headline Friday (May 26), The Lumineers cap off Saturday (May 27), and Paramore close things out on Sunday (May 28).
Site Map
It doesn’t matter who’s playing if you don’t know your way around, so check this handy Boston Calling site map as your weekend compass. Gates to the Harvard Athletic Complex are located just off the Charles River, at 65 North Harvard St. The overall map feels similar to past events, but always good to have a feel for the layout headed in for the first time.
Set Times
Now that we know who’s playing, the next question is who is playing when and where. There are four stages at Boston Calling, and organizers do a pretty solid job of avoiding extreme overlap among sets. Here’s how this weekend shakes out.
Local Stage
Last year marked the debut of the Tivoli Audio Orange Stage, and it was a massive hit, drawing in a packed house as crowds travelled between the larger stages. This year, a dozen homegrown acts will call the centrally-located spot home for three days. Things kick off with Little Fuss on Friday afternoon and wrap with Couch on Sunday. It’s a prime zone for New England music discovery, and a super chill atmosphere away from the density of the main stages.
Food and Drink Menu
A music festival is all about the music, but it’s all about the food, too. Here’s what’s served up this year at Boston Calling — catch us hanging at the Tasty Burger and Roxy’s Grilled Cheese stand all weekend, and stay tuned for Jason Greenough’s full food recap straight from the stands.
