As the founder of FestPop, I have the freedom to pick and chose what festivals to experience. Boston Calling is close to my heart because we launched FestPop back in 2013, the same year Boston Calling had its inaugural festival to rave reviews.
With 10,000 music festivals to choose from across the globe, I have to be selective but the Boston calling press team lead by Bostonian PR firm 44 communications believed in FestPop and we are forever grateful.
The tipping point this year was when I saw TOOL on the lineup. A progressive metal band that got its start in 1992 at Lollapalooza. The rest is metal history and I’m a huge fan.
It was time for me and my best writers to make the trek to bean town. Well, that’s half true. FestPop recruits local writers that are passionate fest fans first and just happen to be great writers. Their passion, style, and voice resonate with our audience of 12 million globally because it’s real. I’m so proud of our writers because they are music festival fans first.
To that end, my local writer Azita Lotfi and I made our way to Day 1 in an LYFT.
The venue was at the Harvard athletic arena. It was really cool to get a backstage pass to the various athletic zones of Harvard. Their tennis courts looked like Wimbledon. Their soccer fields were pro grade astro turf you see only in professional sports.
I was actually surprised to see Gen Xers with their kids. So it’s fair to say Bostin Calling is definitely a family friendly music festival.
In terms of ADA compliance, Bosting Calling gets a D-. I was in the VIP area and the restrooms did not have a ramp for easy access. I hope tomorrow they fix that problem.
The Boston Calling food was legit. As a tourist, I experienced the taste of Boston from local area restaurants and local craft beers that were available at the festival. Festivals all over the world are upgrading their food game. Boston Calling was no different, bringing a great variety ranging from sushi, barbecue, pizza, and vegan ice cream. Next time you’re in Boston you should check out: Firefly’s BBQ, Love Art Sushi, FoMu, and El Pelón Taqueria.
In my opinion, the act that stole the show was MIGOS and I can say that with 100% veracity because my primary genre is progressive metal. I’ve been to many festivals but something about MIGOS made the fans light up, and I knew this set was going to be special. I am now a fan of MIGOS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWP7j9LY7BY
The Boston weather had no mercy and started raining cats and dogs during Bon Iver’s set. Us Americans are not hardcore like our British counterparts that have been doing festivals way before Woodstock circa 1969. UK fest fans are actually shocked if there’s no rain or mud. Or maybe MIGOS did some southern voodoo shit to one-up the competition. Be that as it may, music festivals are all about experiences and the rain fucked shit up for Bon Iver, Chance The Rapper, and fest fans that get depressed when the rain falls like me. I’m from SoCal where we average 329 days of sunshine a year, which was the inspiration for a new beer called
Be that as it may, music festivals are all about experiences and the rain fucked shit up for Bon Iver, Chance The Rapper, and fest fans that get depressed when the rain falls like me. I’m from SoCal where we average 329 days of sunshine a year, which was the inspiration for a new beer called 329. Since Boston loves their beer roots.
Now let’s talk security. In light of the Manchester tragedy, security was definitely enhanced but rather feeling our freedom being hindered by the extra security I actually felt safe. Boston PD and Boston Calling security you guys rock.
Overall Boston calling day one was awesome. Collectively the city, the Harvard venue, the food, the diverse lineup left a smile on my face as I waited for my LYFT.
Single Day passes are still available: http://www.bostoncalling.com/tickets.html
Scotty Moore, Founder
FestPop Staff Writer, Azita Lotfi
