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
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Dallas Smith
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at PNE kept the excitement rolling on July 11, as football and live music once again proved to be a winning combination in Vancouver. With two FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on the schedule, thousands of fans packed the festival throughout the day before sticking around for another evening of Canadian music.
Earlier in the afternoon, England secured its place in the semi-finals with a victory over Norway, setting the stage for an even bigger showdown later in the day. That match delivered plenty of drama, as Argentina defeated Switzerland to book a semi-final meeting with England. The final whistle sparked loud celebrations around the festival grounds, with Argentine supporters waving flags, chanting, and soaking in the moment before the evening concerts began.
As the football excitement settled, attention shifted to the Amphitheatre Stage, where Dallas Smith closed out the day’s musical lineup. One of Canada’s biggest country stars, Smith had no trouble keeping the energy high after an emotional afternoon of football. Fans packed tightly around the stage, singing along from the opening song and matching his enthusiasm throughout the set. Smith’s mix of country hits and rock-influenced sound made for a perfect festival performance.
The day also featured performances from DJ Sherry Freeze, The Matinee, The Heels, and Blue Moon Marquee, giving visitors plenty to enjoy between the two quarterfinal matches.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
DALLAS SMITH
ARGENTINA FANS
All Photo Credit:
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Walk Off The Earth, Fionn, Felix Cartal, and France Fans
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE kept the World Cup excitement rolling on Saturday, July 4, as fans gathered for another full day of football, live music, and celebrations. With two Round of 16 matches on the giant screens and a lineup of Canadian artists filling the Amphitheatre Stage, the atmosphere remained lively from morning through the evening.
The day had already delivered plenty of drama before the concerts began. Morocco had stunned host nation Canada earlier in the day to book a place in the quarter-finals, ending Canada’s historic World Cup run after its first-ever appearance in the Round of 16. A few hours later, France defeated Paraguay to secure the final quarter-final spot, setting up a meeting with Morocco in one of the tournament’s most intriguing matchups. As the final whistle blew, fans quickly shifted their attention from the football to the music just a few steps away.
Vancouver-based band Fionn, consisting of twins Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris, was first on stage, offering an engaging performance that fit the late afternoon perfectly. Their warm vocals and heartfelt indie-pop songs gave the crowd a chance to catch their breath after another emotional day of World Cup action. Many fans who had spent hours watching the matches stayed put, creating an attentive audience that truly enjoyed the show.
Right after, Walk Off The Earth took over and instantly changed the pace. The Ontario group has built its reputation on creative arrangements and infectious energy, and they delivered exactly that. Their performance blended pop, rock, folk, and plenty of crowd interaction, turning the Amphitheatre into a giant singalong. The band’s playful chemistry and multi-instrumental approach kept fans engaged from start to finish, with many dancing along and singing every word.
At the Park Stage, Vancouver-born DJ and producer Felix Cartal took over. A familiar face on festival lineups across the country, Cartal delivered a polished electronic set that kept fans dancing until the festival closed. His mix of melodic house, upbeat remixes, and crowd-pleasing drops provided the perfect soundtrack to cap off a day that had already been packed with football drama and live music.
The FIFA Fan Festival has consistently shown that it offers far more than football. Saturday’s schedule paired knockout-stage drama with live performances that gave supporters another reason to stay long after the matches had ended. Even with Canada’s elimination still fresh in many minds, the festival remained a welcoming place to celebrate the global game, discover Canadian talent, and enjoy a summer evening surrounded by thousands of fellow fans. With the quarter-finals now set, anticipation continued to build for another unforgettable week at Vancouver’s Fan Festival.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
WALK OFF THE EARTH
FIONN
FELIX CARTAL
FRANCE FANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer