Pouring rain, mushy mud, and cold weather may seem like an avoid-at-all-costs situation. Add the irresistible elements of tasty food, electric live music, and the community fostered at Boston Calling Music Festival, and it becomes a no-brainer decision to attend. In some ways, the festival was a fan's dream, with moments like Goth Babe inviting two lucky guests to ride Cheez-It floats in the crowd, The Maine inviting fans on stage to sing with them, or Cage the Elephant jamming out at the barricade, each guest had the opportunity to feel closer to their favorite artist and share the spotlight. Following Boston curated a list of the best sets, food, moments, and brand activations from the weekend to help you find you new favorites.

Can't-Miss Sets

The variety of genres, sounds, and aesthetics at the festival made narrowing down this list quite difficult. Even though Following Boston could only select one of our favorite acts from the undercard each day to highlight, you can visit our in-depth daily recaps for a complete list of recommendations.

On Friday, 4-piece sibling soft rock band Infinity Song wowed the Allianz Blue Stage with layered harmonies and dreamy tracks. Songs like "Slow Burn" showcased their knack for nostalgic lyricism and swooping melodies. On October 22, the band will return to Boston at the Paradise Rock Club.

Sofia Isella opened Saturday on Green Stage in the pouring rain. The singer, songwriter, electric violinist, and method actor thrives on chaos, using the weather to her advantage. Fans were excited to brave the rain to witness her empowering music. Isella displayed her masterful voice control as she effortlessly transitioned between breathy, softer moments and ground-rumbling, resonant melodies. Her sharp hand movements, muddied attire, and dynamic facial expressions also made her one of the most photogenic artists of the weekend. Stay tuned for when she announces her first headline show in Boston.

Following a sold-out Boston Calling After Party on Saturday night, I Don't Know How But They Found Me (iDKHOW) performed an enthralling set on the Allianz Blue Stage on the final day of the festival. The indie pop group delivered a hypnotizing set of "hipster nonsense," a term they coined to describe their brand of falsetto rock anthems. Frontman Dallon Weekes brought the drama and theatrics through lyric pronunciations, whipping the mic cord around, and chatting with the audience.

Top Brand Activations

It was only natural that Dunkin' partnered with the largest music festival in its home state. The brand delivered one of the most relevant popups of the weekend wrapped in a retro package that paid homage to its 1950s Quincy location. 2025 marks 75 years since the original location opened in Massachusetts, and Dunkin' went all out to celebrate with festivalgoers. Inside the "Dunkin' Scoop Shop," guests could try free samples of ice cream flavored coffee, visit the "Refresh & Refuel" station for hair and makeup touch-ups, and pose for a photo by a large donut statue or a poster wall featuring old Dunkin' ads and previous Boston Calling lineups. The brand created multiple touchpoints that directly addressed the needs of its customers, expanding beyond a typical activation to a necessary stop. The refresh station outside included multiple vanity mirrors, makeup remover wipes, Dunkin' colored hair ties, and more, helping fans feel their best. No one left without receiving a gift card, so expect to see people wearing Boston Calling merchandise at a Dunkin' near you.

The Subaru of New England Tent also anticipated the needs of guests. On Friday, when fans got caught in the rain, ponchos in the signature Subaru blue color popped up everywhere and became the must-have item of the day. The line at the tent moved smoothly, which enabled as many guests as possible to stay dry. Throughout the weekend, they switched to other giveaways, such as sunglasses. Fans who were squinting as the clouds parted could now watch their favorite musicians with ease. Subaru cleverly figured out how to market vehicles, an item that can't be sampled or carried around a festival, in a way that was just as effective as other brands.

There was a permanent line for "The Par-Tea Chair" at the Twisted Tea headquarters in front of the Allianz Blue Stage. The oversized yellow inflatable seat was the perfect way to welcome summer and foreshadow upcoming beach days ahead.

Jersey Mike's Subs created the perfect marriage of food and music at the "Jersey Mike's Sub Above Club." They dished out free grub and hosted surprise performances from up-and-coming artists, such as the Green Stage's Max McNown, who brought his country flair to their stage, enabling fans to experience a more intimate connection with the musicians they love.

Favorite Inside Joke

Throughout the weekend, one could spot some festivalgoers carrying a singular tall wheat stalk. Like the gaudy big flags that tourist groups use to find each other, the wheat served as beacons in the busy crowds, signaling who was in the know. While waiting for Fall Out Boy to take the stage on Saturday night, one fan emphatically waved their stalk in the air. Chatter arose as guests wondered where it came from. Soon, a second stalk appeared, and people assumed that they must know each other. As a third, fourth, and then fifth stalk were thrust into the air, fans began to wonder where they could get one for themselves. By the end of the weekend, these stalks had become an exclusive accessory, being placed in hats and belts. The mystery was finally revealed late Sunday afternoon during the trek between the Orange Stage and the Allianz Blue Stage, where brave fans ventured into the wheat patch pictured below to grab a stalk of their own.

5 Best Bites

• Sally's Apizza brought much-needed warm slices of pizza during the brisk weekend. One could taste the freshness and rich flavors in menu offerings, such as their Margherita pizza. Along with the cheese-pull-worthy pizza, they had deliciously cheesy risotto arancini. Spicy Italian wings with Calabrian chile, pickled fennel, and parmesan peppercorn sauce left your lips buzzing like a pumping lipgloss.
• Love Art Sushi brought a festival-worthy array of photogenic options. Rainbow-dyed rice balls and sushi nachos brought novelty and decadence to the weekend. A tray of shrimp chips, spicy tuna, spicy mayo, and shredded nori seaweed paired perfectly for a refreshing crunch.   
• The Smoke Shop BBQ's sandwiches were full of succulent smoked meats. But the star of their menu was the barbecue-seasoned fries, which balanced sweet and savory. The crispy crinkle-cut tray was large enough to share with a group of friends.
• The Mac Bar's unique flavor combinations included Buffalo Chicken Mac and Bacon and Ranch. The thick, creamy, and succulent cups were the perfect comfort food for festivalgoers hoping to escape the rain.
• Zinneken's delicious waffles offered an array of toppings, including fresh fruits, sauces, and crumbles, so that guests could select their favorite combinations. Their fluffy waffles satisfied those with a sweet tooth without leaving them in a sugar hole. Anyone looking for an indulgent way to wrap up the night was sure to be spotted at the restaurant's stall.

Can't stop thinking about what you ate but have no idea where you got it from? Couldn't make it to the festival and want some new restaurant recommendations? Find the complete Boston Calling food vendor list here.

Orange Stage

There was a lot to love on the Orange Stage as acts from all across New England showcased their immense talents.

• Megan From Work packed a punch with earworm punk-pop melodies. Fans were glued to the band's charm and lead singer Megan Simon's electrifying energy. Read our pre-fest interview with Simon here.
  • Song recommendation: "Life Into A Movie," which cleverly takes a jab at inauthenticity through concepts like film and media.
  • Cover of the day: "American Girl" by Tom Petty.
  • Upcoming gig: June 5th at BNH Stage in Concord, NH.
• The 5-piece enigmatic band PINKLIDS brought a cacophony of scrumptious synthy distorted garage rock to the stage. The way the band thrashed around on stage proved their music is made to be performed live.
  • Song recommendation: "SAX," which is inspired by What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, a 1981 collection of short stories by Raymond Carver.
  • Cover of the day: "Helter Skelter" by the Beatles.
  • Upcoming gig: June 15th at O'Brien's Pub in Allston, MA.
• Pop songstress and Boston local Layzi headlined the Orange Stage on Sunday after posing for portraits with Following Boston. Her smooth and airy vocals left a memorable impression on fans and guests who were listening to her for the first time.
  • Song recommendation: Her newest nostalgic and yearning-fueled single, "everything i have."
  • Cover of the day: "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac.

Rap and Hip-Hop Headliners on the Allianz Blue Stage

T-Pain's suave and gif-worthy dance moves drew in one of the largest Allianz Blue Stage crowds in recent memory. He transported fans to the vibrant and auto-tuned-filled world of the 2010s with his joyous set and rhinestone-encrusted suit. T-Pain and his DJ blasted a variety of hits all night, like "FE!N ft. Playboi Carti" by Travis Scott and "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. During the latter, he executed a humorous call-and-response by shouting out questions like "What'd he do?" before the lyric "He took the midnight train going anywhere."

Public Enemy captivated the crowd with a dynamic performance, complete with two backup dancers in military garb who conducted sharp choreography behind them. Outfit changes included Flavor Flav shedding his hot pink athletic jacket to reveal a Celtics jersey. Despite Chuck D revealing he's a fan of the New York Knicks, he led the crowd in sending well wishes and a speedy recovery to Jayson Tatum. They played hits like "Shut Em Down," "911 is a joke," and "Fight the Power," showcasing their signature blend of catchy hooks and powerful messages.

The Genre Gambit: Headliner Recap

Luke Combs, Fall Out Boy, and Dave Matthews Band had the responsibility of closing out each night of the festival, and they rose to the occasion. Complete with two renditions of "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond, the weekend saw a spectacle of over three hours of grandiose production, impressive vocals, and career-spanning setlists.

Combs closed day one with his country flair and grit. He started his set right by walking out to "Sweet Caroline." His visuals and stage setup transported fans out of the pouring rain and into a southern bar and dance hall. Combs' husky voice mesmerized fans until his last song, his viral cover of "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman.

Fall Out Boy created an Eras Tour of their own, featuring larger-than-life set pieces that referenced each of their eight albums. Moments like Pete Wentz's fire bass made the show feel like a fever dream. Lead singer Patrick Stump showcased his signature raw vocals and incredible range throughout the set, making Boston feel extra special during his cover of "Sweet Caroline."

Dave Matthews Band was the final act to perform at Boston Calling 2025 and had the longest set of the weekend to do it. They have one of the most loyal fanbases, and it was a treat to witness the playful and loving relationship frontman Dave Matthews has with them. Zigzagged lightning strike visuals spun around the screen as they closed out a whirlwind of a weekend filled with great music and even better memories.

Polaroid Pitstop

Following Boston had the opportunity to catch up with incredible artists who performed on each of the three stages throughout the weekend. Check out our Polaroids with iDKHOW, Bebe Stockwell, Infinity Song, Sofia Isella, Layzi, and PINKLIDS below. There is an added layer of realness and intimacy to film, don't you think? If you like these Polaroids, stay tuned for our roll of Kodak UltraMax 400 Color film photos from the festival coming soon.

We'll see you next year!

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