Boston Calling is back and better than ever with the announcement of their stacked 2023 lineup featuring Paramore, The Foo Fighters, and The Lumineers as headliners. The acclaimed annual three-day music festival is taking place Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 – 28, 2023 in Allston, MA. Boston Calling always proves to be an exceptional experience, from its iconic mix of musical performances to its commitment to new forms of entertainment and extensive food and drink offerings, and the overall electric vibes from the crowd and their devotion to the festival. It’s why it’s one of the best (if not the best) festival held on the east coast. We rounded up some of the best artists on the rise at the 2023 festival, you surely don’t want to miss out on these!
#1: The Beaches
Listen: “T-shirt”, “Blow Up”, “Grow Up Tomorrow”
Similar Artists: The Regrettes, The Aces, Haim
When they’re playing: Friday 5/26 2:20pm on Green stage
Canadian rock group The Beaches first formed in 2013 in Toronto and since then have been taking the scene by storm. The band consists of four members, Jordan Miller (lead vocals, bass), Kylie Miller (guitar), Leandra Earl (keyboards, guitar), and Eliza Enman-McDaniel (drums, percussion). Together the band has released two EPs The Beaches (2013) and Heights (2014), as well as their debut album Late Show in 2017 to numerous praise. After those fantastic releases they came out with two more EPs The Professional (2019) and Future Lovers (2021), which were combined into Sisters Not Twins (The Professional Lovers Album), which won them the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year in 2022. The band is set for their newest album to release later this year. With recent single releases of “Orpheus” and “Everything is Boring” this year is set to be The Beaches year so you definitely need to catch their set!
#2: Zolita
Listen: “Ruin My Life”, “Ashley”, “Single in September”
Similar Artists: Fletcher, Hayley Kiyoko, King Princess
When they’re playing: Friday 5/26 2:15pm on Blue stage
Zolita has been making waves in the music industry with her queer pop bangers that captivate an audience. She got her start releasing her debut EP Immaculate Conception in 2015 followed by Sappho in 2017 and her debut album Evil Angel in 2018. Since then she has been on the rise as a queer artist who speaks to so many people around the world with her beautifully authentic music. Her most recent EP release just this year Falling Out/ Falling In has brought her numerous praise and admiration. Zolita has been a creative force when it comes to her music and their videos. She released music videos for “Somebody I Fucked Once,” “Single In September,” and “I Fucking Love You” as a trilogy, all directed, produced and edited by herself. She is a true powerhouse artist who does it all, you surely can’t miss her in action!
#3: The Aces
Listen: “Always Get This Way”, “Daydream”, “Stuck”
Similar Artists: MUNA, Betty Who, Fickle Friends
When they’re playing: Sat 5/27 3:00pm on Happy Valley red stage
Much like a lot of the artists on this list The Aces are another band that excels in pretty much everything they do. Originally from Provo, Utah, the band has four members: guitarist Katie Henderson, bassist McKenna Petty, and sisters Alisa Ramirez (drums) and Cristal Ramirez (lead vocals and guitars). Together the girls make queer pop anthems that make you wanna blast them in a long car drive with your friends. Collectively they have released an EP and two albums, with their debut album When My Heart Felt Volcanic in 2018 and second studio album Under My Influence in 2020. The band is set to release their highly anticipated third studio album I’ve Loved You For So Long on June 2nd of this year so it’s set to be The Aces year for sure. If you want to be dancing your feet off for an entire set then definitely check out The Aces at Boston Calling!
#4: Q-Tip Bandits
Listen: “Willow”, “Daisy”, Chasing Cars”
Similar Artists: Coral Moons, Couch, Ripe
When they’re playing: Sat 5/27 2:20 pm on Blue stage
Since their debut in 2018 The Q-Tip Bandits have emerged as one of Boston’s best local acts with their energetic and vibrant music. Many describe their sound as smooth but powerful which is often backed by their raw energy on stage that definitely gets the crowd up and off their feet. They mix many genres together like R&B and Funk along with a little indie rock in there as well, which makes them so unique. Their debut single “Willow” gained them immense praise from many, reaching now over 2 million streams to date. They released their debut EP Ain’t it Great in 2020 which was met with great enthusiasm. The band was nominated for the Boston Music Awards for Best New Artist which was well deserved. On June 10th 2022 they would release their debut album Melancholy Flowers to much praise. If you want to check out a great act local to Boston with high energy and groovy tunes then The Q-Tip Bandits are the ones for you!
#5: Mint Green
Listen: “Callie”, “Make Me Stay” “Pinky Swear”
Similar Artists: Meet Me @ The Altar, Pool Kids, Daisy Grenade
When they’re playing: Sunday 5/28 2:20pm on Blue stage
Mint Green are another amazing hometown act to Boston that you definitely don’t want to miss out on. Mint Green are fronted by singer and guitarist Ronnica, with Daniel Huang on drums, and Tiffany Sammy on bass. Mint Green are like a breath of fresh air. They are reinventing and revitalizing within the indie rock genre in their ever expanding catalog of anthems. Since opening a lush vein of rock on their self-released EPs Growth (2016) and Headspace (2018), the band has formed a tender bond with listeners over the dizzying highs of crushes, the sting of soiled relationships, and nagging bouts of self-doubt, each examined through Mint Green’s refreshing filter. Mint Green knows how to write a captivating song and that’s evident in all of their music but most recently in their debut album All Girls Go To Heaven which features hit songs like “Body Language”, and “Make Me Stay”. It’s surely some of their best work to date. If you want to catch a great local band with a lot of energy and dreamy tunes then don’t miss out on Mint Green at Boston Calling on Sunday!
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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