Here’s everything you need to know before Boston Calling this weekend
Memorial Day Weekend often means a weekend of beachgoing and burgers on the grill. In Boston, it also means Harvard will host a three-day celebration as a star-studded lineup of bands and artists descends on the city for Boston Calling.
Headliners for the three-day festival, which runs from May 26-28 in Allston, include the Foo Fighters, The Lumineers, and Paramore. The Foo Fighters will headline shows on May 26, followed by The Lumineers on May 27, and Paramore on May 28.
NEW TICKET
This year, Boston Calling is debuting a new option to gain entrance to the festival. In addition to all the amenities of general admission, a GA+ plus ticket allows the holder access to a lounge, a cocktail cash bar and upgraded bathrooms.
A single-day GA+ ticket sells for $259.99 compared to a standard $159.99 general admission ticket.
GA+ tickets for Saturday are sold out but are still available for Friday and Sunday, as of Thursday morning.
WHAT’S COOKING?
Boston Calling will host almost as many eateries as it will bands.
New stands like Dumpling Daughter, Lily P’s Friend Chicken and Blackbird Doughnuts add to a diverse smörgåsbord of food options.
WHAT CAN I BRING?
The most important thing to leave behind is cash. Boston Calling is entirely cashless. In addition to cards, festival-goers can link their wristbands to their accounts to make easy and simple payments.
You can also ditch that spray can of sunscreen. Aerosol containers won’t be allowed. Instead, lather-on bottles of sunscreens will be available on the grounds.
All bags must be clear and smaller than 6-by-9 inches. Concertgoers will also have the option of storing their gear in lockers inside or immediately outside the grounds.
The full list of banned items includes:
Drugs, drug paraphernalia or illegal substances of any kind
Cigarettes, Cigars, Lighters or Tobacco of any kind – Boston Calling is a No Smoking Festival. Due to the composition of some of the fields, cigarettes will not be permitted on site and will be confiscated. This includes Juul’s & Vape pens
Outside food with exception of personal sized, factory-sealed snacks
Large bags/ large backpacks (bags can be no larger than 6″x 9″)
Weapons of any kind (or anything deemed a weapon by security)
Professional cameras & recording devices (no SLR/DSLR or cameras with detachable lenses)
Illegal substances
Squirt guns, misters, spray bottles, etc
Laser pens and similar focused-light devices
Chairs / Strollers / Wagons
Cans, flasks, glass bottles (EMPTY plastic or aluminum bottles/hydration backpacks will be allowed)
Pets (only approved service animals)
Bicycles, scooters, personal motorized vehicles
Musical instruments
Sleeping bags, tarps, or blankets (no overnight camping)
Umbrellas
Any container of liquid other than 1 factory sealed bottle of water (plastic only)
Totem poles or flag sticks
Walkie Talkies
Fake IDs – they will be confiscated and your wristband will be cut without refund.
WHAT’S THE EASIEST WAY TO GET THERE?
Because it’s hosted at Harvard, it should come as no surprise that the Harvard Square MBTA stop is the easiest and quickest way. Just take the Red Line to the station and the festival is an easy 10-minute walk from there.
For those outside the city, you can also take the Worcester Commuter Rail Line into Boston Landing Station. Boston Calling is just a 1.1-mile walk from there.
Whatever you do, don’t drive in. Festival officials stress there is no parking available on site and there is no street parking in any of the nearby neighborhoods. Ride share users should still be able to be dropped off at the Harvard Stadium entrance. Festival officials still encourage visitors to take the train at the end of the night due to rider shortages.
Bike riders can also leave their bikes near the box office.
CAN I BRING MY KIDS?
No need to hire a babysitter. Boston Calling touts itself as a family-friendly show. Although “oldies” like the Foo Fighters headline the weekend, there’s plenty of artists that slant toward the younger generations scheduled to perform.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Because you’ll be outside most of the day, festival officials advise to dress in cool, lightweight clothing, to lather up in sunscreen, wear comfy shoes and to bring a hat.
Most importantly, remember to stay hydrated. A free water refill station is available to refill non-glass water bottles and containers.
WHO WILL I SEE?
In addition to Rock & Roll Hall of Famers like the Foo Fighters and The Lumineers, Boston Calling will also host 20 local acts on both the festival’s main and side stages.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs were initially scheduled to perform on Friday night but dropped out due to an illness in the band. Local favorites the Dropkick Murphys will fill the void.
Gates open each day at 1:00 p.m. Shows will wrap up at 10:45 p.m.
The full lineup for Boston Calling is as follows:
Friday, May 26, 2023
Foo Fighters
Dropkick Murphys
The National
Niall Horan
Chelsea Cutler
Teddy Swims
LÉON
TALK
Celisse
The Beaches
Zolita
GA-20
Alisa Amador
Little Fuss
Blue Light Bandits
Summer Cult
Brandie Blaze
Saturday, May 27, 2023
The Lumineers
Alanis Morissette
Noah Kahan
The Flaming Lips
Mt. Joy
Fletcher
Declan McKenna
Joy Oladokun
The Aces
Loveless
Welshly Arms
Neemz
Q-Tip Bandits
Najee Janey
Actor Observer
Coral Moons
Chrysalis
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Paramore
Queens of the Stone Age
Bleachers
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Maren Morris
070 Shake
The Walkmen
The Linda Lindas
Wunderhorse
Genesis Owusu
Brutus
Juice
Mint Green
Couch
Ali McGuirk
Sorry Mom
Workman Song
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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