It was a night Boston Calling said it “waited 3 years” for. And it included a moment no one would ever forget.
Last night (May 26), the music festival welcomed Foo Fighters to close out its first night back at Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston, and the tens of thousands of those in attendance expecting emotionally-charged headlining set did not leave disappointed.
Foo Fighters were supposed to play Boston Calling in 2020, but the fest was cancelled due to the pandemic; when it returned last year, Foo Fighters were carried over to headline, but ultimately dropped off the bill after the sudden and tragic death of beloved drummer Taylor Hawkins. Dave Grohl and his band have been out of action since, returning only earlier in the week with a live show in New Hampshire backed by new drummer Josh Freese.
So last night’s set would have been special no matter what. But towards the end of Foo Fighters’ blistering 20-song peformance, Grohl welcomed Hawkins’ 17-year-old son, Shane Hawkins, up on stage to bang out one of the band’s early-era classics, “I’ll Stick Around.”
Oh damn.
“Alright Shane let’s go!” Grohl shouted as the barnstorming track reached its conclusion, the young drummer just crushing the assignment with the type of animated passion and master precision of his father.
Fan-filmed video was captured by ThatRobRose and posted to YouTube a few short hours after the show.
Watch the magic below, and stay tuned for our photo gallery of Foo Fighters and the entirety of Boston Calling’s first day. Today’s lineup welcomes The Lumineers, Alanis Morrissette, and others; Sunday’s packed slate features Paramore, Queens of the Stone Age, Genesis Owusu, The Walkmen, and more. Follow @Vanyaland617 on Instagram for the latest.