Boston Calling, which is set to take place over Memorial Day weekend at Harvard Athletic Complex in Boston, MA is finally back after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19. There is so much excitement buzzing around this lineup. Headliners include Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, and The Strokes. It’s already looking to be a fantastic Memorial Day weekend with a lineup this stacked. Boston Calling has been known for their stellar lineups and stellar atmosphere each year. It is definitely a festival you want to be at and one that will make your friends jealous if they don’t go. With a lineup this brilliant and large its easy to get lost in it all- have no fear, we have a list of our stand out artists you must see at Boston Calling this year.
#1: Japanese Breakfast
Listen: “Be Sweet”
Similar Artists: Snail Mail, Soccer Mommy, Jay Som
Japanese Breakfast a.k.a Michelle Zauner has been making a name for herself the past few years and has been blowing up recently. Japanese Breakfast were nominated for two Grammys this year (Best New Artist, and Best Alternative Album). Their recent album Jubilee which came out last summer is brilliant and one of their best works to date. Jubilee is about a celebration of the passage of time-to usher in hope of new times in joy. If you want to dance and have a good time then don’t miss out on seeing Japanese Breakfast on Sunday at 4:35.
#2: Avril Lavigne
Listen: “Bite Me”
Similar Artists: Paramore, Mod Sun, Blink 182
Canadian star Avril Lavigne is back making music and touring again and we are so glad about that. She is a well known artist but how could we not recommend Avril as a must see? She will surely play all her classics like “Sk8er Boi” and “Complicated” but we’re excited to see her perform some of her new songs for the first time from her new album Love Sux. Standouts from that album include “Bite Me”, “Love It When You Hate Me”, “Deja Vu”. If you want to feel nostalgic like you’re back in your emo days then you’ll want to get there nice and early for a good spot on Friday to see Avril play at 7:40pm.
#3: Charlotte Sands
Listen: “Bad Day”
Similar Artists: Royal & the Serpent, Lauren Sanderson, Wrenn
Must see artist Charlotte Sands is a special one-she is from Massachusetts and this will be a big homecoming show for her. She just released her new album Love and Other Lies this year and it has garnered immense success and praise. She also has a song with The Maine and Taking Back Sunday called “Loved You A Little”, which is a banger of a song and one she may play live so you definitely don’t want to miss out. If you want to head bang and rock out then be sure to catch her homecoming show on Saturday at 2:20pm.
#4: Orville Peck
Listen: “C’mon Baby Cry”
Similar Artists: Waxahatchee, Father John Misty, The Cactus Blossoms
Orville Peck is definitely a must see artist at Boston Calling this year. He recently released his second studio album Bronco to high praise. Orville combines the ambiance of shoegaze with iconic melodies of classic American outlaw country music. Quite the combination. Orville puts on a fantastic show. If you want to feel like you are out in the badlands of North America you better have your cowboy hat ready for Orville’s set on Saturday at 5:50pm!
#5: Van Buren Records
Listen: “Medic”
Similar Artists: Luke Bar$, SAINT LYOR, AzizTheSnake
Hip-Hop collective Van Buren Records are another local to the Boston scene whose set you definitely have to be at. They hail from Brockton, MA and formed in 2014. Since then they have been making a name for themselves in the scene and just keep getting better. Van Buren Records is an artist collective composed of rappers, producers, engineers, visual creatives, fashion designers, and so much more. They have released stellar albums like Bad For Press and Black Wall Street. Van Burren Records is all about community and the feeling of togetherness. If you want to jam out to some hip hop bangers then don’t miss out on their set on Saturday at 6:55pm!
It’s sure to be a jam packed weekend full of fun at Boston Calling. Tickets are on sale now here, and you can check out their website for more information on the festival.
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