Boston Calling 2025 Brings Another Year of Endless Outstanding Music
This year’s Boston Calling was a mixed bag—weather-wise, genre-wise, and lineup-wise—but in the best way possible. While the overall bill didn’t quite measure up to other major festivals this season, that meant smaller crowds, faster transitions, and a chill energy that let each set breathe. The elimination of the secondary stage and the impressively fast main stage turnarounds made the whole weekend feel smoother than ever.
Though I didn’t catch the official headliners, Luke Combs, Fall Out Boy, and Dave Matthews Band, each drew a clear, devoted crowd. They may not have been on my personal must-see list, but it was easy to feel the excitement they brought to the festival.
The festival kicked off under steady rain and a mellow vibe. Friday leaned heavily into country and Americana, and while the weather threatened to dampen the mood, many acts still shined. Early in the day, Infinity Song, a sibling-led soft rock and soul group, delivered unexpectedly tight harmonies and stage chemistry. Wilderado followed with a burst of indie folk-rock energy that helped wake up the soggy crowd.
Despite the rain, Megan Moroney stood out as the clear highlight. Funny, charming, and confident, she delivered a powerful and entertaining set that had the entire crowd singing along. Even T-Pain brought some nostalgic fun with his iconic hits, though the wet conditions kept the energy slightly muted. Laid-back and rain-soaked, but with a few bright spots that cut through the gray.
Saturday turned into a full-blown emo throwback, with a spirited crowd ready to belt every word. The fields were muddy from the previous day’s rain but the energy was electric. Valley kicked things off with a tight, upbeat performance. The Maine followed with standout crowd control and undeniable stage presence, their set brimming with nostalgia and movement.
By the time All Time Low hit the stage, the singalongs were deafening. Their polished pop-punk set fed perfectly into Cage the Elephant, whose raw, frenetic energy brought the mud-splattered crowd to life. The night ended with Avril Lavigne, who didn’t disappoint, as she played all the hits, and every voice in the crowd was right there with her. Saturday was the most high-octane day of the weekend, fueled by throwback anthems and full-on crowd catharsis.
Sunday shifted gears into alt-rock territory. Goth Babe set the tone early with beach balls, crowd surfing, and a set full of feel-good surprises. Remi Wolf brought her signature chaotic charm, and even with technical hiccups, kept the audience laughing and engaged. Sublime followed with high-energy rock that had the crowd dancing, and Vampire Weekend closed the weekend with a sophisticated, instrumentally rich performance. It was a more relaxed day overall, but full of joy.
Boston Calling 2025 may not have had the most buzzworthy lineup, but it delivered a well-paced, enjoyable experience. The genre-themed days gave the weekend structure, the streamlined format worked surprisingly well, and a number of acts, especially on the earlier slots, surpassed expectations. Despite the rain and a lineup that didn’t turn many heads, the weekend offered more than enough to make it worthwhile.
Review & Photos by: Laurel Ayuyao
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