The music festival experience revolves around more than just simply the music. It’s without question that the host city plays a part in the overall experience. At FestPop our goal is to help music fans of every generation easily discover and book music festivals all over the world.
Our secondary mission is to encourage music fans to build their vacations around a music festival in order to experience everything the city has to offer. To that end, this FestPop Music Festival Travel Guide edition features Boston, Massachusetts the host city of the Boston Calling Music Festival, a 5th-year music festival Founded by Brian Appel and Mike Snow that draws a diverse mix of Millenials and Generation-Xers music fans. Appell & Snow also produce many other events each year, including the Boston Calling Block Parties, an annual series of outdoor events showcasing local music, and the Copenhagen Beer Celebration, a new festival showcasing world-class brewers and musical acts that will be held for the first time this September in Boston’s City Hall Plaza.
2017 Bosting Calling Music Festival Review
Welcome to Boston, Massachusetts, a quintessential blend of cutting-edge innovation and colonial history. From charming cobblestones of Beacon Hill and revolutionary landmarks such as Independence Fort to the historic grounds of Harvard University and Fenway Park, Boston is a treasure trove of Americana.
Boston comes with many different neighborhoods, a number of which have become famous in their own right. The most prominent of these include the districts of Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, North End, South End and West End. Downtown Boston is where the bustling Financial District is based, being home to gleaming high-rise buildings that combine to make the city’s distinctive waterfront skyline.
Best Hotel
401-403 D St, Boston, MA 02210
Seaport is a community on the rise. Seems like the cranes rise every other week, erecting office buildings, condominiums, retail stores, and restaurants. And those amenities, coupled with the location — across from downtown, right off the highway, and just a short T ride to the airport — have made the Seaport a prime spot for growth and that includes hotels. FestPop’s top pick for any trip to Boston is the ALOFT.
“At Aloft hotels, music is in our DNA. Our music program, Live At Aloft Hotels, has set the stage for acoustic performances by some of the area’s hottest emerging artists. Every Thursday, guests can sip on their favorite drinks and enjoy the show, always free to the public. We’re dedicated to the local music scene which makes Aloft Boston Seaport a perfect hotel for Boston Calling fans.” ALOFT GM, Michael Jorgensen
After dinner, Thursday, May 25th we were fortunate to discover live music at ALOFT’s XYZ bar. The music was smooth Jazz lead by front man Trumpeter Julian Dessler. Julian has performed with jazz heavyweights, Terence Blanchard, Antonio Sanchez, Walter Smith III, Dayna Stevens, Bob Reynolds, tap dancing legend Maurice Hines, The John Tesh Orchestra, funk powerhouse Turkuaz, The Main Squeeze, Spiritual Rez, Badfish, and pop/opera superstar, Josh Groban. Overall the ALOFT staff, amenities, and prime location enhanced the FestPop team’s Boston Calling experience.
Best Dinner
Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar – Back Bay
271 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116
617-369-5609, lolitatequilabars.com
A popular Back Bay restaurant for tacos and tequila. There are 175 different tequilas poured at two bars, plus a nice selection of skillfully made (if pricey) party drinks like sangria, mojitos, and margaritas. The ambiance is amazing, — sexy and dramatic, featuring red lights, dark corners, lots of candles, and flocked wallpaper—and the food contains fantastic flavors. Executive chef Nicholas Cox prepared a variety of Lolitas best of the best.
Fun Activities Before or After Boston Calling
Take the Ferry to Salem
I’ve always been intrigued by the history of Salem and the infamous witch trials so I had to take the ferry to Salem. This is a great day trip. I left at 11:45 AM and was back in time for the Boston Calling Music Festival.
Getting was only an hour and the ferry ride was amazing. Make sure you get your tickets at Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC). BHC has been bringing Boston Harbor to life for tourists and area residents alike with a wide variety of harbor cruises. BHC also offers the following: the New England Aquarium Whale Watch Cruise, Cape Cod Fast Ferry, Historic Sightseeing and Sunset Cruise, Salem Fast Ferry, Boston Harbor Islands Ferries and Codzilla the thrill ride, as well as commuter ferry services, Boston Water Taxis and commercial services with a specialized Offshore Division. In addition, BHC features upscale private charter service with fine catering provided by renowned chef Barbara Lynch.
Boston Harbor Cruises
617-227-4321
bostonharborcruises.com
Boston Brew Tour
Boston Brew Tours
888-623-8687
bostonbrewtours.com
Saving the best for last. This is my first official brew tour and it was so cool. While in town you should check out Boston Brew Tours for a unique way to experience the history of Boston while enjoying awesome craft breweries and delicious food.
We’d love to have you tour with us, not only because we’re the highest-rated brewery tour in our cities, but also because we love to share our love of beer. I founded City Brew Tours to give microbreweries exposure to the masses. We’re dedicated to advancing the craft beer movement everywhere we go, and hope you’ll join us on a tour where we can entertain, educate, and inebriate you and your group. Chad Brodsky Founder
Special Thanks to David O’Donnell, Senior Manager of Media Relations with the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. There is so much to do in Boston so make sure you visit the Boston Tourism Board’s Official Website for more recommendations
bostonusa.com
Scotty Moore, Editor-in-Chief/Founder