Boston Calling 2019 - May 24-26

Kendrick Lamar / J Cole / Billie Eilish / Vampire Weekend / Flume / Rufus Du Sol / The Shins / Ski Mask The Slump God / FKA Twigs

Fun day on Saturday. Started with Shame, which was the second time I had seen them in a week (caught last Sunday's show in Atlanta) and they're phenomenal live. Can't wait to see what they do next. Denzel's set was completely different from the Buku set I saw in March which is always appreciated and I am still nursing some bruises from that pit. I've been listening to RICKY a ton since it dropped and it was awesome to hear live, as were the other new songs - can't wait for Zuu to drop on Friday. Watched BRM from the back since I was pretty beat from Shame/Denzel and it sounded nice but wasn't super engaged, which I was OK with since I knew I was seeing them later that night for the afterparty. Bailed with a few minutes left for food and christ almighty were those lines bad. I would've thought they had that figured out since 2017 but apparently not. Oh well. Probably chose the worst possible time to try and eat so kinda on me. After that debacle worked our way up to the left of the soundboard for Anderson which was fun as always - I've seen him I think 3 times now and I always like his stuff better live than on record. And yes I'll admit, I was thoroughly entertained seeing Lil Nas X come out. I can't help but enjoy Old Town Road for what it is.

Posted up for Tame after and watched ODESZA while we waited, which was nothing special but there were parts that I enjoyed more than I thought I would so I'll take it. Seeing Tame was 1000% worth avoiding all the spoilers from this year's shows I possibly could. I know it's still pretty much the Currents set, but I really just don't care. It's just that good and hearing those songs live is therapeutic for me. I thought their live sound this time focused more on the drums/bass/keys as opposed to guitars, which was interesting to see how the sound of the new singles got infused into the old songs. Elephant, a song I've heard hundreds of times, felt new and fresh. Whole set was awesome and easily the highlight of the day. Walked over to the Sinclair after for what was a weird but pretty cool afterparty with Big Red Machine. Apparently a DJ set meant 4 of them (Justin + Aaron + a drummer/bassist) jamming for an hour, going in and out of some of their songs. There were a couple times it seemed they lost it a little, but when it was good, it was REALLY good. Glad I went, especially since the Sinclair is one of my favorite Boston venues and I hadn't been there since I moved to Atlanta in 2015.

Me going again will be very dependent on lineup + friends of mine still living in Boston, but a damn fun time that I'm glad I schlepped up for.

I'll start the 2020 thread, won't be until tomorrow.

Gotta get my full mock ready per tradition

Random thoughts:

• Friday being so undersold was the best. Got amazing spots for everything I saw. Definitely the closest to the stage i've ever been for a blue stage closer (Chvrches), and wasn't even really smushed in.
• Are Gang Of Youths the best band in the world? because i think they might be. They were incredible.
• The small crowd Friday spoiled me, so I ended up being extra annoyed Saturday when I couldn't get comfortably close for Anderson Paak or Odesza. Then in the back, everyone is so chatty and loud. It's a no-win situation, and totally just the later-in-the-day norm at these things, but Friday went so well that I kind of forgot.
• Overall, it was nice to have less pressure on running around catching 10 bands a day that I love. Ended up being more relaxing with an underwhelming lineup and still a really good time. The weather certainly helped, too.

I also just wanna say that Shame played the best set of the fest, fight me

Tame Impala and Brandi Carlile get honorable mentions. Maybe the best Tame show I've seen since before the Currents cycle started. Brandi just fucking brought it and seeing a crowd of 16-18 year old girls hyped as fuck for that set felt really really inspiring. Brandi's a rock star.

Paak was also great. Guster was a surprisingly great time as a a former fan of those who can sing along to most of the older songs

Mitski and Big Red Machine were really cool but neither blew me away. Had the misfortune of being more towards the green stage during BRM and people around me were not only talking, but actively mocking it. That sucked. BC crowds continue to be some of the worst

Was disappointed in Travis Scott's production, and how fucking late he was, but I went on the ferris wheel during his set and that was cool to see

Travis Scott. The biggest rip off for festivals and attendees. I used to hate on him, but not as much anymore. Has the guy ever started on time? Yet he still gets paid. A lot.

I'm glad a different person is writing their festival reports this year. Last year's author would resort to accusing people on Twitter of mansplaining when they challenged her writings.

I had some drunk kid behind me during Sheck Wes, repeatedly yelling out "play Mo Bamba"

Literally every music festival ever explicitly states "LINEUP & ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE". I get being bummed about the cancellations. I skipped Friday because of them. But no one's owed anything

hate that there's never any good leaks for this. the best indication we have for who's playing are spring and winter tour dates

Nothing yet so far, but they’ll be announcing European dates on Monday. Their manager said that the US tour will be in the spring.