Say It Ain’t So, Boston Calling 2022 has wrapped

For those who weren’t willing to risk running through a rainstorm, here’s a recap of Boston Calling 2022. The music festival was held at Harvard Athletic Complex, from May 27th through May 29th. There were four stages, The Green Stage, The Red Stage, The Delta Airlines Blue Stage, and The Tivoli Audio Orange Stage. Thirty local restaurants, with vegan and vegetarian options, catered the event. 

Headliners included Metallica, and the Nine Inch Nails who replaced both the Foo Fighters and The Strokes. Unfortunately the original headliners, The Foo Fighters, were unable to play due to the recent passing of their drummer Taylor Hawkins. The Strokes were also unable to perform because they caught Covid-19 and had to quarantine. Many other bands who were set to perform on Saturday afternoon were forced to cancel their sets due to a severe rainstorm. 

However, many amazing performances still took place last weekend. The Friday list includes: Paris Jackson, Pom Pom Squad, Grandson, The Chelsea Curve, The Backseat Lovers, Mob Rich, The Struts, Miranda Rae, Paris Texas, Cheap Trick, Avenue, Oliver Tree, Haim, Born Without Bones, Rufus Du Sol, and Avril Lavigne. 

Saturday performers were: Julie Rhodes, Hinds, Charlotte Sands, Dutch Tulips, Celisse, Kenny Hoopla, Orville Peck, Black Pumas, Van Buren Records, Earthgang, and Run The Jewels. 

And finally Sunday brought: Oompa, Cliff Notez, Peach Tree Rascals, Horsegirls, Paper Tigers, DJO, Cults, Aaron and The Lord, Japanese Breakfast, Modest Mouse, Crooked Coast, Ripe, Glass Animals, Cam Meekins, Weezer, and Goose, to the stage.

On Friday, Haim gave a captivating, high energy performance on the Green Stage. The sisters, Este, Danielle and Alana, sang beautifully together in matching outfits and even included a synchronized dance. Each sister displayed incredible musical talent, playing more than one instrument throughout the set. The alternative group played many tracks off of their most recent album, Woman In Music Pt. III, including I Know Alone, Gasoline, 3 AM, and Up From A Dream. 

Another powerful woman in music who delivered many highly anticipated throwbacks to her pop anthems, was Avril Lavigne. Seemingly ageless, Lavigne projected clips of herself from over twenty years ago, as she sang her most popular tracks such as Girlfriend, Sk8ter Boi, What the Hell, and her debut single, Complicated. In addition to her beloved discography, Avril sang new songs Bite Me, and Love It When You Hate Me from her most recent album Love Sux. Even Mod Sun, the singer’s new fiance, made a surprising appearance to sing a song of his that she is featured on called Flames.

The masked man, Orville Peck, made an appearance on Saturday night and blew everyone away with his deep melodic voice and imposing stage presence. He charmed the crowd easily despite the long fringe-covered mask obscuring his face. The country star performed a duet that he originally sang with Shania Twain, called Legends Never Die. He even surprised the audience by trading his guitar for a piano during Drive Me, Crazy. He connected with the crowd asking if there were any truck drivers in the audience, and dedicated the song to one lucky trucker.

Finally, Weezer performed on Sunday after the rain had ended and made the Green Stage, just as they did the Green album, an Island in the Sun. The crowd began forming hours before the band was set to take the stage as adoring fans chanted and raised their hands in a “W” symbol. The group played twenty of their greatest hits, including an encore of Bully Holly, which sent the crowd wild, as hundreds of people sang along word for word. 

Boston Calling 2022 brought great food and even better music to our community, and certainly made up for the past few years of cancellations! As Rivers Cuomo said, “Boston, that’s where I want to be.”