Festivals
Boston Calling 2025 – Day One Recap & Photos
Harvard Athletic Complex, Boston, MA – May 23, 2025
Day One of Boston Calling 2025 kicked off with soggy shoes and big energy. Despite the rain (and a last-minute cancellation from TLC), spirits were high. The lineup delivered, the ponchos came out, and everyone just leaned into it. Honestly, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the weekend.
Friday’s heavy-hitters included Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, and the one-man party himself, T-Pain. The undercard was stacked too: Sheryl Crow brought the sunshine with her hits (and her vintage Springsteen tee), while Kyle Dion, Mike., and jazz powerhouse Tiril Jackson pulled in crowds across the Harvard Athletic Complex.
In my opinion, T-Pain’s set was the highlight of the night, and not just because of the bangers. He gave us everything from “I’m Sprung” to “Bartender,” but it was his charisma that really lit up the wet evening. Between cracking jokes, dancing like nobody was watching, and belting out those auto-tuned hooks, it was clear he was having just as much fun as we were.
Megan Moroney kept the country crowd happy, turning the field into a singalong zone with “Am I Okay?” and “Tennessee Orange.” Her stage presence was confident, like she’d been playing to massive festival crowds her whole life.
Sheryl Crow was a total pro. She joked about Boston’s weird spring weather: “Who knew it was going to be winter in Boston? We’re going to soak up the sun anyway,” before launching into a killer 11-song set that reminded everyone why she’s still so beloved. “If It Makes You Happy” hit especially hard in the rain. Her Springsteen shirt also got its own cheer!
Local artists held their own, pulling crowds of supportive fans and attracting curious festival goers. Among these artists was powerful jazz vocalist Tiril Jackson who is set to headline JoyFest Somerville (in Somerville, Massachusetts) later this month. She performed her rendition of many famous songs, including Brenda Russell’s “Piano in the Dark”.
Unfortunately, TLC had to cancel their set due to a medical issue, which was a bummer. But festival organizers pivoted quickly, and the rest of the schedule kept things moving.
Luke Combs closed the night with a stormy set that matched the mood perfectly. His performance of “When It Rains It Pours” was very ironically timely. Seeing him sing “One Number Away” with actual rain falling gave it a whole new vibe.
Boston Calling 2025 is just getting started, and if Friday’s any indication, it’s going to be a hell of a weekend. Saturday’s got Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne lined up. We’re calling it now: the emo kids are coming out in full force.
Forecast says less rain tomorrow, but Day One proved we don’t need clear skies to have a good time. See you back out there!
Check out some our favorite photos of T-Pain at Boston Calling 2025 Day One or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Faith Constantine
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Kaytranada
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE closed out another memorable week on Sunday with the biggest match in world football and a fitting musical finale. Fans packed the site well before kickoff, creating a sea of jerseys, flags, and face paint as they gathered to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. Every big chance was met with gasps and cheers, and when Spain secured the victory, the celebrations spread across the festival grounds as supporters soaked in the final moments of a month-long tournament.
There was little time for the excitement to settle before the day’s entertainment shifted from football to live music. Montreal’s Kaytranada took over the Amphitheatre stage, giving fans one last reason to keep the energy going after the trophy presentation. Known for blending house, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music into a sound that feels uniquely his own, Kaytranada delivered exactly the kind of set the festival needed to close the weekend.
With Spain crowned world champions and Kaytranada providing the soundtrack to the celebration, the FIFA Fan Festival wrapped up another successful day at the PNE. It was a reminder that throughout the tournament, football and music proved to be the perfect combination, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate on and off the pitch.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
KAYTRANADA
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – The Dead South, Jesse Roper, Colin James
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE Grounds delivered another full day of football and live music on Saturday, July 18, as fans packed the site to watch the FIFA World Cup third-place match before spending the afternoon discovering Canadian talent across the festival stages.
The day opened with one last piece of World Cup drama before the tournament finale. England defeated France in the third-place match, giving English supporters plenty to celebrate before the music began. Groups wearing England shirts could be spotted throughout the grounds after the final whistle, adding to the lively atmosphere that has become a daily feature of the Fan Festival.
Once the football wrapped up, the focus shifted to the Amphitheatre and Park Stage. Vancouver’s own Jesse Roper was among the first artists we caught, bringing his signature blues-rock sound to an enthusiastic crowd. His guitar work and easy stage presence made for a strong start to the afternoon, with plenty of fans gathering in front of the stage despite a full day of entertainment still ahead.
Over on the Park Stage, Canadian blues-rock legend Colin James reminded everyone why he has remained one of the country’s most respected performers for decades. His set mixed polished musicianship with plenty of groove, drawing listeners of all ages who appreciated every guitar solo and familiar chorus.
The Dead South closed out the day. The Saskatchewan quartet’s blend of bluegrass, folk and country proved to be a perfect fit for the outdoor setting. Fans sang along, clapped in time and danced throughout the performance.
With the World Cup final less than 24 hours away, there was already a sense that the tournament was nearing its conclusion. Even so, July 18 showed that the FIFA Fan Festival remained much more than a place to watch football. It continued to bring together sport, live music and community in a way that has made it one of Vancouver’s standout events of the summer.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE DEAD SOUTH
JESSE ROPER
COLIN JAMES
FANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer