Festivals
Boston Calling 2025 – Day Two Recap & Photos
Harvard Athletic Complex, Boston, MA – May 24, 2025
Day Two of Boston Calling 2025 was a sun-soaked celebration of pop-punk nostalgia and alternative rock energy. The weather was a welcome shift from Friday’s rain, with clear skies and a gentle breeze setting the stage for a day filled with great performances.
Saturday continued the epic weekend, and did not disappoint. With star-studded performances from headliners, Avril Lavigne and Fall Out Boy, fans flocked to the stages, shoulder-to-shoulder across the grounds, ready to scream every word of their teenage anthems. Undoubtedly Saturday was the most packed day of the entire weekend.
By far, the day’s biggest draw was Avril Lavigne. Her last Boston Calling set in 2022 was a fan favorite, and this year she somehow managed to top it. She strutted onstage to massive cheers, immediately launching into a string of hits that had the crowd losing it with “Girlfriend,” “Complicated,” and “What the Hell” right out of the gate. Her voice sounded sharp, and her energy was high. Somewhere around “My Happy Ending,” she whipped out a slime green guitar. And in a surprise twist, she brought out All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth to perform their new song “Fake As Hell.” Avril’s set felt like a love letter to the early 2000s, but it never felt stale, just a lot of pop-punk joy.
Speaking of chaos, Cage The Elephant brought it. Matt Shultz is somehow even more of a wild man than he was pre-pandemic. He didn’t say much, but he didn’t need to. His dance moves, frantic energy, and full-send vocals said everything. “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” had the whole crowd moving like it was a last-chance dance party. Their hour-long set was a nonstop swirl of sweat and catharsis. If you weren’t winded after that, you weren’t doing it right.
The Black Crowes added a gritty change of pace with a set that felt like a reminder that rock and roll still has a heartbeat. Chris Robinson came out swinging, declaring, “There are some rock ’n’ roll people here today!” He had a point. While the rest of the fest leaned alt and pop-punk, the Crowes delivered guitar solos and bluesy swagger. “She Talks to Angels” was a highlight.
The afternoon was peppered with impressive sets from All Time Low, James Bay (who looked exactly like he did a decade ago when Chaos and the Calm first broke him wide open), and The Maine, each bringing their unique flavor to the festival. Local act Rebuilder held their own on the orange stage, delivering a gritty performance that showcased the depth of Boston’s music scene.
Fall Out Boy closed the night like seasoned pros, celebrating 20 years of From Under the Cork Tree. Pete Wentz literally lit up the stage with flames shooting from his bass. Patrick Stump sounded as good as ever, and their setlist was tight. “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” and “Dance, Dance” brought out the loudest singalongs of the night. They even managed to squeeze in tracks from every one of their eight albums.
Saturday was the most packed day of the fest and for good reason. It hit every emotional note: nostalgia, chaos, joy, catharsis, and made a solid case that pop-punk and alt rock are aging just fine. The crowd’s enthusiasm never waned, and as the final notes echoed into the night, it was clear that Day Two had hit all the right notes.
There are still many great shows to look forward to tomorrow, Remi Wolf, Sublime, and Vampire Weekend being major fan favorites. See you on the final day!
Check out some photos of the day 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