COVID-19 has left us without a Boston Calling this year, but it can't stop us from revisiting years past. From Lizzo warming up an already hot day to the decision to move the festival to Allston, here are some exceptional moments from 2016 to 2019 at the festival, captured in photos.
Lizzo performed, and it was "Good as Hell."
It was 2016 when Lizzo took the stage, as the second act of the afternoon. There was a small, sizeable crowd at the beginning, but by the end of her set — full of trailblazing self-love and non-stop dancing in 90+ degree weather — she had everyone in City Hall Plaza singing along and trumpeting positive vibes. We haven't stopped talking about her since.
The "Screaming Eagle of Soul" soared onstage.
2016 also delivered the indomitable Charles Bradley (and his Extraordinaries), whose performance oozed with old-school charm, and a cover of Black Sabbath's "Changes" that completely transformed the song and demanded attention. Bradley passed away a year later from stomach cancer.
Speaking of changes, how about that move to Allston?
For four years, Boston Calling took place at City Hall Plaza. That changed in 2017 when the festival was moved to the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston. The decision made room for growth — doubling attendees the first year — and brought new business to the festival and surrounding area.
Brandi Carlile wore a Red Sox hat, and we all fell deeper in love with her.
In 2017, Brandi Carlile made a profound statement during her performance — one that you can revisit at our Facebook watch party on Friday, May 22 — when she swapped out her hat for a Red Sox cap before launching into "Raise Hell." The Sox were playing her hometown team (Seattle Mariners) that night. Pandering aside, it was a great reminder that despite the expansion, and the new location, this festival is still very much for Boston.
Major Lazer dropped the bass so hard, the whole festival felt it.
In 2017, Major Lazer brought the pyrotechnics, the t-shirt cannons, and the beats, and dropped the bass so hard (several times) that you could feel it at the blue stage where Weezer was performing at the same time. Intentional or not, everyone was moving.
We'll never forget the politically-charged return of Tool.
The 2016 presidential election brought many performers out of hibernation, but few as surprising as Tool. The post-metal band closed the 2017 festival with a set that spanned decades of music and several politically-charged speeches by frontman Maynard James Keenan.
Our kingdom for a peek in St. Vincent's closet?
In 2018, St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) took the stage in a neon leotard and matching boots for miles. Clark's wardrobe has always complemented the exploratory characteristics of her music. I presume it's also a gateway to discovering her work. Who wouldn't stop and listen to a queen playing guitar like a god while wearing head-to-toe latex?
Only The National could make a field performance feel like an intimate conversation.
The National has put in the work and earned their spot headlining music festivals like Boston Calling. They wear the main stage well and draw a crowd. But, as soon as the house lights went down in 2018 — the background screen emoting with unclear static, the instruments humming and building an atmosphere — and frontman Matt Berninger's deep voice emerged from The Void, it felt as if you and the band were the only people there.
Like it or not, that Twenty One Pilots show was something.
Twenty One Pilots headlining Boston Calling in 2019 left many scratching their heads, including vocalist Tyler Joseph. When introducing himself, he said, "We don't necessarily deserve to headline your amazing festival. But, if you give us the time, we would like to earn it." The band followed that statement with a performance full of pyrotechnics, smoke machines, plenty of theatrics, and at least 37 pieces of flair.
Lil Nas X came, performed, and confirmed more Country music in his future.
Lil Nas X was a later addition to the 2019 lineup, but undoubtedly the artist with the most buzz. It started with an unscheduled appearance in the media tent that had everyone scrambling to find out when he was going on stage (he didn't answer), and if there would be more Country in his future (he confirmed). It continued when he popped up during Anderson Paak's set to perform "Old Town Road," and steal the entire weekend in under two minutes.
