CAMBRIDGE – The Boston Calling music festival returned to the grounds at Harvard University’s athletic complex over the weekend for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began two years ago. Some 50 acts performed on four stages during the three-day event and fans starved for live music were eager to celebrate.
COVID, however, is still throwing a monkey wrench into best-laid plans. Aussie rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard were a last-minute cancellation on Saturday when a band member tested positive. That day’s headliner, The Strokes, canceled a few days earlier for the same reason. Friday’s big name, Foo Fighters, had already bowed out after the death of its drummer, Taylor Hawkins. Nine Inch Nails came to the rescue, agreeing to replace both headliners, performing different intense sets the first two nights. Metallica headlined on Sunday and delivered the weekend’s best show, even if the massive crowd made it impossible to get near the stage.
More bad news arrived mid-day Saturday, when severe weather forced the evacuation of the stadium grounds, with attendees directed to seek shelter in Harvard Square while workers and volunteers hunkered down in the adjacent hockey arena, track facility, and the bowels of the football stadium.
Nearly three hours later, the music resumed but several acts missed their chance to connect with a larger audience when time restraints necessitated cuts. I regretted not having the opportunity to hear performers such as TikTok star Frances Forever (“Space Girl”) and locals Coral Moons and Ali McGuirk, whose music I love.
Peabody native Chris Coombs, a partner in Boston Urban Hospitality, and considered one of America’s finest chefs and restaurateurs, curated and prepared a specialty menu for festival goers in the exclusive onsite Platinum Lounge on Saturday. Coombs partnered with his award-winning executive chef Adrienne Wright. Boston Urban Hospitality runs Deuxave, dbar, and Boston Chops. During each day of the festival, many of the city’s first-rate chefs provided a fine dining experience for attendees. A three-day pass to the Platinum Lounge cost $1,999.99 per person, which included concert tickets, access to VIP areas, and many extras.
The weekend was rich with great music. The big name acts – Cheap Trick, Avril Lavigne, Weezer, Modest Mouse, Glass Animals, Haim, Black Pumas, Run the Jewels – all delivered vibrant, rousing sets.
But, for me, the opportunity to discover new musical heroes and the communal experience of sharing these discoveries is the most exciting part of these festivals.
A great addition to Boston Calling was a new stage devoted entirely to local acts. Twenty of the fest’s performers have ties to Massachusetts or New England and many of the best performances occurred on that tiny stage. Crooked Coast (sublime punk-ska), Aaron and the Lords (Aaron Perrino; driving ‘80s rock in the fashion of his The Sheila Divine), the soulful Miranda Rae and her band, Cliff Notez, and Brockton rap collective Van Buren Records, The Chelsea Curve, Avenue, Born Without Bones, Cam Meekins, Paper Tigers, and Dutch Tulips proved there’s a wealth of talent here that put the Boston in Boston Calling.
On Sunday, Joseph David Keery, a 2010 Newburyport High grad, and his four bandmates in Djo, had a sizable crowd moving and grooving to their atmospheric psychedelicized rock songs. Keery is better known for playing Steve Harrington in the Netflix series “Stranger Things.” He certainly looks the frontman part with his sunglasses, longish ‘80s hairdo/bangs, and chin stubble.
Boston’s blues powerhouse Julie Rhodes and her trio opened Saturday’s show on a bigger stage with a too-short set. Her cover of Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind” was sensational. Massachusetts native Charlotte Sands, sporting a Misfits tee-shirt and a strong expressive voice, wowed with a lively set of catchy, Halsey-like pop songs. Celisse, who impressed at last year’s Newport Folk Festival, is a killer guitar player who impressed all until Saturday’s impending storm shooed her off the stage. Country mystery man Orville Peck, who hides his identity with a fringed mask and possesses an expressive baritone, was another Saturday star. Black Pumas and its charismatic frontman Eric Burton were terrific too, setting a funky groove culminating with set-closer/hit “Colors.”
On Friday, The Struts, a Queen/Mott/Black Crowes-like rock band from Derby, England, were fun, as were Haim, the talented sister act that mixes terrific songs with offbeat show(wo)menship. The trio Rüfüs Du Sol and its pulsating electro dance music and eye-catching visuals set a furious beat just as the sun was setting on Friday. Great stuff.
A final observation: Metallica is still the reigning king of the universe. Nearly every attendee on Sunday wore the band’s tee-shirt and Metallica’s merch table line was longer than any of the food stalls at suppertime. They packed the place 37 years after the release of their debut album. Amazing.
