Festivals
Boston Calling 2025 – Day Three Recap & Photos
Harvard Athletic Complex, Boston, MA – May 25, 2025
The final day of Boston Calling 2025 was a melting pot of genres, offering a diverse lineup that catered to rock enthusiasts, hip-hop heads, and indie aficionados alike. If you couldn’t find something to love on Sunday, that’s on you.
It started with local funk crew SNACKTIME, who wore matching Allen Iverson-era Sixers jerseys and blew the grogginess off the early crowd. Nothing wakes you up like a horn section!
Then came Remi Wolf, chaotic good incarnate. She hit the stage in a “Be Proud of Yourself” tee, ready to party, even if her mic wasn’t. Tech issues tried to sabotage the set early on, but Wolf handled it like a champ, cracking jokes, giving her bandmates nicknames, and buying time with banter. Once her vocals finally blasted through, it was on. “Cinderella,” “Hello Hello Hello,” and “Pitiful” lit the crowd up. She even threw in a soulful cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” before launching into the full-throttle finale of “Photo ID.” If Boston Calling gives out gold stars, she earned a galaxy.
Sublime brought the West Coast vibes, their reggae-infused rock providing a laid-back contrast to the day’s earlier acts. Jakob Nowell, carrying on his dad Brad’s legacy, made the set feel both nostalgic and alive. He reminded the crowd it was the 29th anniversary of his father’s passing, then jumped right back into the feel-good chaos. “Let’s play something fast so we can all shove each other around a bit.” The crowd happily obliged.
Over at the Blue Stage, Tom Morello came out swinging. No band, just a man and his guitar, railing against injustice with fury. He got the crowd chanting, jumping, and yelling along to Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” (the uncensored version). He even brought out Chuck D for a surprise drop-in to perform “Prophets of Rage,” because why not?
Chuck D wasn’t done yet. Thirty minutes later, Public Enemy took the stage, bringing that full-force, speak-truth-no-matter-what energy they’ve had for four decades. “Fight the Power” still hits hard. Flavor Flav and Chuck D were steady as ever, and the crowd (including the Gen Z kids) danced and shouted like the revolution was starting right then.
As the sun dipped behind the Harvard Athletic Complex, Vampire Weekend made their return, 12 years after first playing Boston Calling. Ezra Koenig sounded like he hasn’t aged a day. They opened with “Ice Cream Piano,” and hit every note fans could have hoped for with “Step,” “Unbelievers,” “Diane Young,” “Oxford Comma.” It was a warm, breezy, feel-good set that satisfied all indieheads.
Then came the closer: Dave Matthews Band. Fresh off their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, they came out bundled in jackets (Dave joked his was “confining”). “Crash Into Me” and “Ants Marching” got the biggest singalongs, while the extended jams gave fans what they came for. It wasn’t the flashiest ending, but it was warm, grounded, and exactly what a Sunday night closer should feel like.
The rain held off. The merch lines stayed long. The music hit the sweet spot between political fire and indie comfort. Sunday felt like a mixtape built to please everyone — young, old, loud, mellow, radical, or just here for the vibes.
Boston Calling 2025 closed on a high note. Here’s to next year and all the great memories that will ensue!
Check out our photos of Remi Wolf below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Faith Constantine
Festivals
HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 – Recap & Photos
The Prudential Center was absolutely buzzing as it hosted the much-anticipated HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026, a classic highlight of New York’s summer music scene. This event is all about bringing together the best of the best in hip hop, rap, and R&B, creating a stage where both rising stars and seasoned veterans can shine.
This year’s lineup was stacked, featuring big names like French Montana, Max B, DaBaby, and G Herbo, promising to be “the biggest party ever to hit an arena.” To keep the party jumping, Hot 97 enlisted the help of legendary on-air personalities Funkmaster Flex, Nessa, and the Mornings with Mero team. As anticipated, the lineup drew a packed house, completely selling out the venue.
Hip Hop heads can go all the way back to the 90s to see just why something like this matters so much to the culture. Over the years, HOT 97 Summer Jam has given us unforgettable moments, from sparking epic rap feuds to reuniting legendary groups. This year was no different, packed with standout highlights. It’s not false advertising to say something iconic will happen on a Summer Jam stage – it’s expected.
One of the biggest moments of the night was Fetty Wap‘s homecoming. The crowd went wild for hits like “679” and “My Way,” though he had to cut his set short because of time limits. As the show rolled on, Yung Miami brought the energy with her summer banger “Spend Dat,” even tossing stacks of cash into the audience, causing a frenzy with everyone trying to stuff their pockets. Emerging artists were also front and center, like Zeddy Will, who energized the crowd from the upper bowl. DaBaby also brought his infectious energy to the crowd as he ran through his catalog, connecting with the fans in a unique way that really elevated the atmosphere.
On a sultry R&B vibe, Mariah the Scientist performed hits like “Is It a Crime” and “Burning Blue,” showcasing her killer stage presence and stunning vocals. The night wrapped up with French Montana, who brought out Max B and Remy Ma to help perform nostalgic Coke Boys favorites like “Unforgettable,” “Stay Schemin,” and “Ever Since You Left Me.” Despite their busy schedules with tours and new music releases, it’s great to see these artists giving back to the culture. They provided fans with a taste of their musical talents while solidifying their place in Summer Jam history. The surprise guests who were not listed on the lineup truly made this showcase unforgettable. We had the chance to see Lola Brooke, Fat Joe, and the entire cast of Zeus Network’s hit show, The Baddies. It truly was the hottest ticket of the weekend.
I just wished we could have partied a little longer. Some acts were unable to hit the stage for the final curtain, but on all accounts, the Hot 97 team delivered a show they can be proud of. HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 left everyone hyped. Funkmaster Flex hosted the night flawlessly, keeping the energy high and the transitions smooth between acts. You can bet that the fans are already hyped for what next year has in store, eagerly locked into Hot 97 on the radio for the next Summer Jam lineup. I’ll be looking out for that announcement too; I know they are already cooking for 2027.
Check out our favorite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: @GALLERYBYTM | Anthony Grant Photography
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