The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – Boston Calling 2019 Recap
This was my first time attending Boston Calling, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I just knew that I loved the lineup and wanted to be part of this festival. After a 12-hour drive from Ohio and a fifteen-minute walk from the train station, I finally walked through the gates. My 30-year-old body was ready to dance, sing, high-five, and celebrate music with the other people in attendance. The following three days were filled with some amazing performances and memorable moments, but there were also some issues that held the fest back from being the best it could be. The tenth edition of Boston Calling recently ended (May 24-26), and the weekend at Harvard Athletic Complex was an overall great time, but this doesn’t mean the festival didn’t hit some speed bumps.
The Good
Food Selection
There was no shortage of amazing food to be had at Boston Calling. I have been to dozens of festivals, and you tend to see a lot of repeat vendors at them. As much as I love me some Island Noodles, it was nice to see a wide variety of foods being offered by local people. I tend to eat a lot at fests and share the deliciousness with my group. This helps me stay energized while not getting full and being able to try a bunch of different goodies. This was a super tight race, but I think my overall favorite was Arancini Bros: their deep-fried rice balls stuffed with mac and cheese, buffalo chicken, and other goodness. I know they’re not Boston locals, but their food is too good to not take the top spot.
Brandi Carlile
This three-time Grammy award-winning artist was the perfect way to enjoy the sunset and vibes on Sunday at Boston Calling. Brandi Carlile is a rarity and a national treasure who should be treated as such. Her audience banter was top notch, her storytelling ability unparallel, and the overall feeling of the crowd was such peaceful bliss. Extremely humble with the voice of an angel who drinks too much whiskey, Brandi and her band put on one of the most unique and special sets of the weekend. Thank you Brandi.
Twenty One Pilots
When the lineup for Boston Calling was announced earlier this year, I saw a lot of people extremely upset that Twenty One Pilots was a headliner. I would comment here and there, telling the disgruntled that they should not miss their set. I hope they heeded my advice. Love or hate their music, Joshua Dun and Tyler Joseph know how to put on one hell of a live show. With confetti and fire to spare, these two Ohio natives will captivate you for every moment of their set. Amazing crowd interactions including playing drums ON TOP OF FANS and climbing the sound stage were just a few highlights of their headlining set.
The Venue
Harvard Athletic Complex is an overall improvement from the fest’s past locations. Large amounts of grass or artificial turf offered a relaxing and comfortable place to grab some rest. The Arena had some much needed AC (looking at you, Sunday) as well as real bathrooms. There was minimal sound bleed from stage to stage, and the overall size of the venue allowed for decent crowd dispersion. Harvard Athletic Complex is a close walk to the train stations, making it easy to get to and out of. A few shaded areas would be nice, but overall I cannot complain.
Drink Prices
I was just recently at another festival where a bottle of water was $6, a beer was $14, and a Redbull was $7. This insane price-gouging always bothers me. Thankfully, Boston Calling did not do this. Water was $2, a Redbull was $4, and beer was $9 (still a bit high, but not for a festival). There were water refill stations so you didn’t have to keep buying a water bottle every time you got thirsty.
Tame Impala – Elephant
Despite Kevin Parker recently falling off a roof and being on painkillers, he was on time and didn’t disappoint. Tame Impala’s set was a slow burn that truly comes alive when the band plays “Elephant.” About halfway through their hour-and-a-half slot, Kevin asked the crowd if they are ready, which was met with a resounding “yeaahhhhhhh”. Then the confetti, smoke, and lasers took over the crowd. Jumbotrons featuring a graphic of Kevin Parker shooting lasers out his eyes captivated as you soaked in the beauty that surrounded you. It was just so damn good.
Travis Scott Closing Out
I’m not the biggest Travis Scott fan; his music just isn’t my thing, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a live show. A festival performance is a place where musicians should give it their all and hold nothing back. Travis Scott did exactly that. It was absolutely packed on Sunday night, and the size of the crowd for his show was well deserved. I heard that his live shows were out of control, but I really didn’t know what to expect. A fifty-foot teddy bear, insane fire bursts, limitless energy, lights on everything, huge screens, and a rotating, laser-shooting, fog-producing sports score thingy helped make his performance one for the ages.
Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals
These are some of the most talented vocalists and musicians, and their Boston Calling set did not disappoint. Funky R&B and hip-hop was brought to life and celebrated on Saturday by this group of musical geniuses. If you weren’t there, I’m sorry; this was one of the most energetic and beautiful shows I have seen in recent memory. I just love Anderson .Paak so much.
The Bad
Shek Wes
Maybe I just don’t get it. Am I 30 years and out of touch with what is cool? No, it’s the kids who are out of touch. I can enjoy almost any music live as long as the performance warrants praise. Shek Wes does not deserve praise. In case you didn’t know who he was when you got to his set, don’t worry; he repeated his name at least 1,000 times through his show. He also attempted unaccompanied rapping which he has no business doing. This is rap in its lowest form and doesn’t deserve to even be categorized under the genre.
No Smoking Policy
We know that smoking is bad for you, but people at a music festival may want to enjoy the occasional cigarette or vape. Security did their jobs and kept a large majority of nicotine-related items out of the fest, which resulted in hundreds of vaporizers and packs of cigarettes being put into a bin costing fans a ton of money. I get why cigarettes weren’t allowed. If they’re just dropped on the ground and not put out properly they can easily cause damage to the artificial turf. If people want to use vaporizers, they should be allowed to do so if they’re of age. At the very least put some designated smoking sections inside the fest. A no-smoking policy doesn’t eliminate smoking, so give people a place to do it where it won’t bother others or cost them money.
Porta Potty Locations
Conveniently located near no stages were the porta potties. Dead center of the venue was the only place you were able to relieve yourself other than inside the Arena, which was also in the middle of Harvard Athletic Complex. It was a solid 10-20 minute round trip from any stage to get to a bathroom, which was obviously frustrating. I hope that there are porta potties placed around each stage next year.
The Comedy
I absolutely love stand-up comedy, and to say I was stoked for this comedy lineup would be a severe understatement. Jenny Slate, Fred Armisen, and Michael Che are all amazingly talented comedians, when given the right setting and crowd. The Arena at Boston Calling was not the right spot. Organizers tried their best and put some tables on the floor with chairs to help give it that comedy club feel, but it fell flat. Too many people moving around, talking, and leaving the venue made it a comedian’s and a fan’s nightmare. The worst part of it all was Michael Che showing up 45+ minutes late with what appeared to be no material prepared. The time filler stuff that happened before he took the stage was painful. Here’s to hoping they get this figured out, because comedy is a special edition to any great music festival’s lineup.
The Ugly
People Passing Out on Sunday
Boston Calling made water affordable and readily available, which typically reduces the number of people passing out from heat exhaustion or other extra stuff. The weekend was fairly cool, minus Sunday, which resulted in a huge influx of emergencies in the crowd. I hate seeing this stuff happen. Thankfully EMS workers were always nearby and quick to respond. There is nothing can Boston Calling can do to stop things like this from happening; I’m just glad they were prepared for it.
Trash After Big Shows
This is a simple fix: if you bring something in, bring it out with you or at least put it in a garbage or recycling bin. Just because there is someone being paid to pick it up, doesn’t mean you can’t do your part to keep the grounds clean.
Crowd Pushing
Nothing gets to me more than people who think they deserve a good spot but who are not willing to wait for it. Being halfway through a headliner’s set and you get mushed by someone trying to make their way to the front row; these people are typically not alone. God forbid you are right behind the spot that they choose to stop. Now your one foot of dancing space is filled with someone’s swinging ponytail or fisherman’s hat, swinging arms, and severe lack of knowledge regarding personal space. I just hate these people so much. If you want a GREAT spot for a headliner, you will probably have to wait an hour or so; please do not be this crowd-pushing person.
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