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
Governors Ball 2026 Release Daily Schedules
The set times are in. Governors Ball Music Festival just dropped its daily schedules for June 5–7, and the usual game begins: mapping your day, picking your battles, and accepting you can’t see everything.
Friday, June 5
Day one leans indie-pop into rap by night. Lorde closes the main stage at 8:30, opposite the tail end of Baby Keem(7:30–8:30). That’s your first big call: polished pop spectacle or Keem’s high-energy set.
Earlier, things get messy in a good way. KATSEYE (6:35–7:30) overlaps with Pierce the Veil (5:30–6:30) bleed, and The Beths (6:00–7:00) sit right in between. Indie fans will feel that pinch.
Midday conflicts are lighter, but The Dare (4:00–4:45) vs. Arcy Drive (3:30–4:15) creates a small fork in the road.
If you’re pacing yourself, the cleanest run is late afternoon into Mariah the Scientist (4:45–5:30), then pick your lane.
Saturday, June 6
Saturday is the most chaotic on paper. Stray Kids headline at 8:30, directly after Kali Uchis (7:30–8:30). That transition is smooth if you stay put.
The real trouble hits earlier. Major Lazer (6:30–7:30) collides with Blood Orange (5:30–6:30) and the start of Amyl and the Sniffers (7:30–8:30). Dancehall vs. alt-R&B vs. punk. Pick a mood and commit.
Mid-card is stacked with clashes: Ravyn Lenae (4:00–4:45) overlaps with Jane Remover (3:30–4:15), and Snow Strippers (4:45–5:30) runs right into Wet Leg (4:45–5:30). That last one is a true coin flip, two buzzy acts at the exact same time.
Sunday, June 7
Sunday might be the strongest day top to bottom. A$AP Rocky closes at 8:45, opposite the end of JENNIE (7:45–8:45) and Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (7:45–8:45). That’s the toughest final hour of the weekend.
The lead-up is just as tight. Dominic Fike (6:45–7:45) overlaps with Clipse (5:45–6:45) and Hot Mulligan (6:15–7:15). Three different crowds, same window.
Earlier, Japanese Breakfast (4:00–4:45) and Holly Humberstone (3:15–4:00) form a nice back-to-back if you stay mobile, but Between Friends (2:30–3:15) cuts into that flow.
The takeaway
Friday is manageable. Saturday is conflict-heavy. Sunday is stacked late.
If you hate missing songs, plan short splits. If you want full sets, accept you’ll miss something big. That’s part of the deal, and honestly, half the fun.
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts Announce 2026 Lineup
Vancouver’s summer concert calendar is locking into place. The annual Summer Night Concerts are set to return to the Pacific National Exhibition from August 22 through September 7, bringing live music back to one of the city’s biggest seasonal events.
This year carries a bit more weight than usual. The series will debut at the brand-new Freedom Mobile Arch, a 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre built for large-scale performances. The venue promises better sightlines, improved sound, and a more immersive setup for fans. It’s a major shift for the fair, which spent much of last year dealing with construction that limited its footprint and contributed to a drop in attendance.
Now, with the full site back in action, organizers are aiming for a reset. The 2026 lineup leans into that idea, mixing legacy acts with newer names across genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic.
Headliners include Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, The Beaches, Nelly, and Zedd, alongside artists like Mt. Joy, Train, and Barenaked Ladies. Special performances include Cynthia Erivo backed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearances from Punjabi Virsa, Weird Al Yankovic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pierce the Veil, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George & Culture Club.
The full schedule runs nightly:
- Aug. 22: Blue Rodeo
- Aug. 23: The Guess Who
- Aug. 25: The Beaches
- Aug. 26: Nelly
- Aug. 27: Zedd
- Aug. 28: Mt. Joy
- Aug. 29: Cynthia Erivo with VSO
- Aug. 30: Punjabi Virsa
- Sept. 1: Train
- Sept. 2: Barenaked Ladies
- Sept. 3: Weird Al Yankovic
- Sept. 4: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sept. 5: Pierce the Veil
- Sept. 6: Sarah McLachlan
- Sept. 7: Boy George & Culture Club
Tickets start at $49 plus fees and include admission to the PNE Fair. Presale began April 19, with general on-sale launching April 20 through TicketLeader.
New venue, full fairgrounds, and a lineup that leans both nostalgic and current. After a quieter year, the PNE looks ready to feel busy again.