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
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