Country's biggest stars kicked off Boston Calling on a lively and rainy Friday. Boston's biggest weekend in music returned for a night of boot-stomping fun, attracting fans decked out in denim, cowboy boots with bows, and headliner Megan Moroney's signature color blue. Anyone who forgot the essentials, a cowboy hat, could stop by Miller Lite, which collaborated with the festival to create a design featuring their beers and the beloved Boston Terrier mascot.

Rising star and Boston's own Bebe Stockwell opened the festival in a buttercup yellow floral dress perfect for the morning's sun. Her husky voice and rich acoustic instrumentals lulled fans toward the stage as she frolicked in the warm weather. She released her debut EP, Driving Backwards, earlier this month and performed tracks like "Call Me By Your Name" before sitting down with Following Boston for an interview about her first headline shows, which are happening this June.

On the other side of the grounds, Infinity Song brought their mesmerizing harmonies to the Allianz Blue Stage. The four-piece band of siblings blended dreamy soft rock and soul for an easy-listening afternoon. Their empowering anthems left a memorable impression on fans and people listening to them for the first time. During the song "Pink Sky," member Israel Boyd encouraged the audience to repeat the bridge "Maybe I'll be something special" with him "until you believe it." The last time the band was in town, they performed two sold-out shows at Berklee's Cafe 939. Their fervor and confidence radiated throughout the festival, warming up crowds who braved the pre-rain winds. On October 22, Infinity Song will return to Boston at the Paradise Rock Club.

Indie-folk band Wilderado brought a southern flair to their set on the Green Stage. The Tulsa, Oklahoma natives bundled up in flannels and puffy coats gathered around one mic to sing together during songs like "Surefire." They kept sharing how playing at Boston Calling was a dream come true for them, making the moment even more special. Before escaping backstage, frontman Max Rainer dipped down to the barricade to sign some albums and snag a slice of pizza offered to him by a fan.  

Thee Sacred Souls serenaded the Allianz Blue Stage with their R&B retro-soul music. They ended their set with the smooth viral hit "Can I Call You Rose?" dedicating the song to anyone in the audience with the name Rose. They will be back in Boston on September 14 at TD Garden opening for soft pop star Kali Uchis.

Later in the day, the iconic Sheryl Crow brightened up the Green Stage with her radiant smile and discography. Fans danced to "Soak Up The Sun" as if they were enjoying a tropical evening on the beach rather than wearing ponchos in the mud, showcasing the power of live music. Her set was full of fun tidbits, like when she shed her black denim jacket to reveal a Bruce Springsteen shirt underneath and shouted out the singer or when she shared that her drummer had attended Harvard Bartending School.

The Orange Stage boasted a killer New England lineup, including Megan From Work, an incredible band Following Boston interviewed leading up to the festival. Lead singer Megan Simon's playful pink tights, trompe-l'œil suit t-shirt, and pure joy brightened up the festival even as the heavier rain moved in. Along with their newest release, "Life Into A Movie," the band sprinkled in covers such as "American Girl" by Tom Petty, displaying their pop-punk range.

During his headline set, hip-hop legend T-Pain drew in one of the largest Allianz Blue Stage crowds in recent memory. He brought along marble-esque set pieces, such as columns with arches that housed the DJ booth and larger-than-life statues of himself surrounded by twisting shrubbery. He emerged in a sleek green suit with rhinestoned lapels, sharing he had to make sure everything was "zhuzhed up" for Boston. Fans were glued to the stage as he danced and jumped in front of a backdrop of firework visuals. He was in constant motion the entire set, twerking and doing the wave whenever possible.

I've decided to share a trade secret: In the media tent, one can hear each stage simultaneously. My favorite moment from the day might have to be when Megan Moroney started to deliver a heartfelt speech about how grateful she was to perform her music at this festival at the exact time T-Pain and his DJ blasted "FE!N ft. Playboi Carti" by Travis Scott. The contrast between the high-energy track and Moroney's intimate moment is a perfect example of the array of vibes curated by the festival. No matter which mood you're in, there's a set for you.

Small but mighty country star Megan Moroney took the first headline spot on the Green Stage. She wore a beautiful white suede coat with feather cuffs around the sleeves, smiling from ear to ear. During songs like "Tennessee Orange," a track about wearing a different team's colors after falling in love with someone from another state, she removed her coat to reveal a custom Red Sox jersey underneath. The royal blue on her bedazzled mic stand contrasted nicely with the pop of red on her regal strapless dress. Sparkling royal blue cloud visuals made the crowd feel as though they were floating with her as she ascended a staircase to the middle of the stage. She closed her set with the breakout hit "Am I Okay?" twirling through the rain.

Luke Combs closed the festival with a bang, kicking off his set right by pandering to the Boston crowd with "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond as his walk-out song. His visuals and stage setup transported fans to a southern bar and dance hall, setting the scene for his upbeat show. Combs yelled, "It sure does, baby!" during the song "When It Rains It Pours," eliciting cheers from the crowd, who was proud to face the rain for him. The Red Sox received a lot of love from day one, with members of Combs' band also rocking jerseys. Combs brought Moroney on stage one last time during "Beer Never Broke My Heart" as a nod to her appearance in the original music video in 2019. Combs' husky and powerful voice held the energy high for the rest of the set. He mesmerized fans with his viral cover of "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman, reminding everyone about the strength of community.

Stay tuned for Following Boston's Saturday, Sunday, and weekend recap coverage coming soon. We'll see you next year!

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