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
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Train
After almost 10 years away, Train made its highly anticipated return to Vancouver, taking the stage at the PNE as part of the Summer Nights series for an electric night of nostalgia, energy and some of the band’s biggest hits. Nearly 10,000 fans packed the venue to welcome the group back to the city.
With nearly 33 years of performing together, Train proved that its signature sound and undeniable stage presence remain as strong as ever. Currently on the Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Tour, the band is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its iconic album with a set that served as both a celebration of its enduring catalogue and a reminder of why these songs have remained fan favourites for decades.
Opening with “Calling All Angels,” the band quickly launched into a crowd-pleasing run of classics, including “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Marry Me” and “Drive By.” Throughout the night, the set balanced humour and heart, with frontman Pat Monahan connecting with the crowd and reflecting the warmth and personality that have become synonymous with Train’s live performances.
The night ultimately came full circle with the song that started the 25th-anniversary celebration: “Drops of Jupiter.” As the familiar opening notes rang out across the PNE, nearly 10,000 voices joined in, creating a fitting finale to a night that celebrated not only one of Train’s most beloved albums, but an iconic career spanning more than three decades.
Check our our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TRAIN
All Photo Credit : Jill Meagher
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies have spent decades perfecting the art of making a concert feel like the world’s biggest, weirdest, most Canadian house party.
Taking the stage on September 2, 2026, at the new Freedom Mobile Amphitheatre as part of the PNE Summer Night Concert series, the hometown legends brought their signature blend of goofy humour and radio hits to Vancouver for a night that felt a little like raiding the best parts of your childhood playlist.
With a catalogue spanning decades, there was no shortage of familiar favourites, with the band dipping into the hits that have made their way into everything from radio playlists to childhood memories. Songs like “The Old Apartment,” “If I Had $1,000,000,” and “Brian Wilson” remain just as catchy as ever, proving that some songs simply refuse to leave your brain.
The new venue made for a fitting home for the show, with the open-air atmosphere adding to the festival-like feeling of the evening. Between the music, the laughs, and plenty of singing along, Barenaked Ladies delivered exactly what you’d hope for from an end-of-season summer concert: good tunes, good laughs, and a whole lot of happy people singing “One Week” at 100% volume!
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BARENAKED LADIES
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle