It’s festival time! Boston Calling begins Friday, May 24 and continues until Sunday. Headliners include Twenty One Pilots, Tame Impala, and Travis Scott—each day punctuated by cannot-miss artists, some of which are listed below. Discover who made our shortlist below, and make sure to stay hydrated!
Friday, May 24
Hozier at 8 PM on the Delta Blue Stage – Selected by Alexis
Beloved Irish singer-songwriter Hozier will take the stage at Boston Calling in the midst of his Wasteland, Baby! tour, which promotes his latest record of the same name after a five-year hiatus. The enigmatic musician’s discography is brimming with soulful and moody tracks infused with R&B and blues, including “Dinner and Diatribes,” “NFWMB,” and “Moment’s Silence (Common Tongue).” In addition, the eclectic set list will feature the upbeat, dreamy tones of tracks like “From Eden” and “Almost (Sweet Music).” Known for his ethereal vocals and otherworldly aesthetic—as well as the social commentary and stunning poeticism in his lyrics—Hozier knows how to mesmerize a crowd. His set is sure to sound brilliant live.
Sidney Gish at 12:45 PM on the Red Stage – Selected by Mikey
Fast-rising singer-songwriter Sidney Gish kicks off Saturday’s lineup at 12:45 PM on the Red Stage. One of the few local acts on the festival stage and a regular presence in the Allston DIY scene, Gish’s popularity has been steadily increasing ever since the release of 2017’s No Dog’s Allowed, a impressive collection of bedroom pop songs that established her as a gifted local talent and caught the ear of indie labels. Her witty lyrics and sharp songwriting are sure to win over the early crowd, and it will be interesting to see how her live set, born in Allston basements and honed on small stages, translates in a festival setting.
Christine and the Queens at 6:40 PM on the Green Stage – Selected by David
In comparison to most of the other artists on this year’s lineup, Christine and the Queens stand out for their uniqueness. With Janelle Monae dropping out, expect Heloise Latissier’s dance pop project to be the festival’s most simultaneously bemusing and entertaining act. Chris’s combination of quirky aesthetics, stunning choreography, and French poeticism make her an outlier in every sense–and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Yet, none of this would mean much without Latissier’s undeniable talent for hooks and wholehearted dedication to the power of movement as expression. Watch her dance for even a few minutes and you might just find yourself enrolling in a modern dance workshop.
Saturday, May 25
Denzel Curry at 4:40 PM on the Delta Blue Stage – Selected by Kristen
Robust and spirited Florida-bred rapper, Denzel Curry has been delivering commanding verses and energetic beats since 2013, but it wasn’t until the release of his infamous 2015 single, “Ultimate,” that he began gaining serious traction—and rightfully so. His infectious energy and ability to take on various forms of trap to brand his own potent sound is impressive. Notorious for tirelessly performing his dynamic raps when he takes the stage, Curry is guaranteed to revitalize any crowd.
Cautious Clay at 2:30 PM on the Red Stage – Selected by Knar
To get a sense of the vocal range Cautious Clay will flex this Sunday, let me first tell you that this Brookyn-based R&B artist was due to tour with Gallant a while back (before the tour got cancelled, that is). He’s also been compared to the likes of Sampha, Frank Ocean and Khalid, and was one of the many incredible artists featured on the Insecure soundtrack. If you want to wind down your weekend, songs like the swirling, echo-y “SIDEWINDER” and the slow-moving falsetto-filled “Cold War” will provide a refreshing break from some of the other higher energy acts (Christine and the Queens, Twenty One Pilots, Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals, to name a few).
Sunday, May 26
Logic at 8:05 PM on the Red Stage – Selected by Jared
Logic is bars-only. Rarely does a rapper come along that’s as dedicated as Logic to the art and craft of rhyming acrobatics. With a career that’s progressing as fast as his machine-gun flows, Logic’s undeniable talent has attracted rap royalty like Eminem, G-Eazy, Big Sean, and Wiz Khalifa, who all compete for highly coveted feature spots on his prolific albums. His latest album, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, is a well-balanced trifecta of lean-back smoke jams like “Icy ft. Gucci Mane,” rapid-fire flows like “Homicide ft. Eminem,” and old-school throwback stylings like “Lost in Translation.” The Maryland-born rapper also uses his music for a purpose, diving deep into the complex layers of his psyche to expose his fight between self-love and loathing, making a concerted effort to bring awareness to mental health issues and suicide prevention. Be sure not to miss Logic, hip hop’s current lifeblood, this Sunday.