Boston Calling is here to put summer to rest with a bang. If you’ve kept an eye on us for the last few years, you know the deal. Let’s do this again, shall we? Here is our list of who you need to be keeping an eye out for!
To be totally honest,
I think you’d have to try to dislike MisterWives, a dance-pop six-piece from
New York City that burst onto the scene over this last year and a half. Mandy
Lee’s vocals are pure sugar, while the infectious music digs its way into your
brain long after the song ends.
The band spent last September opening for twenty one pilots
(who were my #1 Band to See last fall), and are looking to take the baton and
run with it.
For fans of: Royal Teeth, Elle King, Lucius For a taste, check out: “Reflections,” “Kings and Queens,”
“Best I Can Do” Catch them: Sunday, 5pm
It’s that time of year again and South By Southwest (SXSW) is just around the corner! We’ve decided to bring back our “50 Acts You Won’t Want To Miss” feature, which will run from today until March 16th, the day before the Music section of SXSW begins! Check out our first installment (acts 1-10, in no particular order) of artists we think you need to check out below!
*Note: some acts we’ve included are performing at South By So What?! and not South By South West. However, since the festival takes place during the week of South By Southwest, we’ve decided to still include them in our list!
Royal Teeth
After being a standout at the second Boston Calling festival, Royal Teeth have found continued commercial success over the last eighteen months or so. While they’ve been heard in a handful of ads or trailers, don’t mistake them for sellouts – it’s not their fault that their dual-vocalled brand of high-energy pop is unignorably catchy. Or, well, I suppose it is. Where to catch Royal Teeth: 3.20 – 5pm – NoiseTrade Day Party @ Swan Dive; 3.21 – 5pm – BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll Vol 2 @ Peckerheads; 3.21 – 10PM – Official SXSW Showcase @ Buffalo Billiards; 3.22 – 4pm – South By Sendoff @ Stubb’s.
Lydia
Following the success of their revival, coupled with a 5-year anniversary Illuminate tour, Lydia have been keeping busy. With performances booked at SXSW, Bled Fest, and a nationwide tour in support of The Early November, there are plenty of chances to catch these guys play. But why would you want to wait any longer than you have to? Where to catch Lydia: 3.20 – South By So What?! @ QuikTrip Park.
COIN
While their first full-length is still eagerly awaited, what we’ve gotten thus far from COIN (a three-track EP that will dance you out of your shoes) leaves me very optimistic for its June release. I’m sure their set will be more than three songs, so I’m jealous of anyone who will get to hear what else this band has to offer. Where to catch COIN: 3.18 – 8pm – Hype Machine @ Hype Hotel; 3.18 – 1am – Paradigm @ Maggie Mae’s Rooftop; 3.19 – 3:45pm – Most Definitely @ La Barbecue; 3.19 – 11pm – SONY @ Tap Room At The Market; 3.21 – 4:30pm – IFC @ Palm Park.
Night Riots
In support of their latest EP, Howl, a half-dozen songs packed with bright, moody electronic pop, this LA five-piece are preceding their summer on Warped Tour with a run at SXSW. If you miss your chance to catch them now, you’ll have another shot when Warped stops in your city, though their crowd is bound to be much bigger by the time that rolls through. Where to catch Night Riots: 3.19 – 4:20pm – Big Picture Media Showcase @ The Bling Pig; 3.19 – 10pm – Official SXSW Showcase @ Buffalo Billiards; 3.20 – South By So What?! @ QuikTrip Park.
Dylan Gardner
This time last year, Dylan Gardner’s record landed in my inbox. And it didn’t take long for me to hear that there was something special about this 17-year-old kid’s self-written, self-recorded, self-produced debut album. And after jumping at the chance to sign such a great young talent, it seems it didn’t take Warner Bros. Records very long to realize it, either. Where to catch Dylan Gardner: 3.20 – 8pm – Official SXSW Showcase @ Victorian Room at The Driskill; 3.22 – 7pm – House of Blues Cambridge Room.
Redlands
One of the newer bands we’ve been introduced to, Denver’s Redlands blend together elements of country, pop, and old-fashioned rock & roll into a tightly-structured sound that could appeal to most music fans. Before their newest album hits shelves early this summer, this is a band you’ll want to get acquainted with. Where to catch Redlands: 3.18 – 7pm – The Prophet Bar; 3.20 – South By So What?! @ QuikTrip Park.
The Maine
Since the announcement of American Candy (expected March 31st), The Maine have had their fanbase in a stir since word of their fifth album hit the internet. As a band that has progressed and matured with each album or tour, I’m always interested in whatever The Maine have lined up next. Where to catch The Maine: 3.18 – 9:30pm – Official SXSW Showcase @ Emo’s; 3.20 – South By So What?! @ QuikTrip Park.
MisterWives
Whether it’s lead vocalist Mandy Lee’s soaring voice, the band’s catchy dance-pop sound, or any combination of these along with countless other factors, there’s a lot to be said for MisterWives. But whatever I could say about them wouldn’t do justice to what they’ll show you themselves. Where to catch MisterWives: 3.19 – 6pm – The Spotify House; 3.21 – 7pm – House of Blues Dallas; 3.22 – 7pm – Fitzgerald’s.
Cartel
To help celebrate 10 years of Chroma, one of the most solid pop/punk records of the era, Cartel are embarking on an anniversary tour later this Spring. But before they hit the road, they have their sights set on Austin, ready to make all of those high school emotions flood back. Where to catch Cartel: 3.20 – South By So What?! @ QuikTrip Park.
MC Lars
The self-proclaimed master of lit-hop puts on a show that few can rival. Energetic, entertaining, and potentially educational, Lars shouldn’t be missed (if you’re hyphy enough to handle it). Where to catch MC Lars: 3.17 – 10:25pm – Official SXSW Showcase @ Flamingo Cantina; 3.19 – The Bedlands.
We more than like this song by TEAM*. Fun fact for you: the band has shared the stage with Imagine Dragons, Jimmy Eat World, Royal Teeth, and most recently joined Third Eye Blind on tour.
The band will be releasing their upcoming full-length on October 14th. Are you excited? Cause we are!
Hellooooo again! We’re back for our third run with Boston Calling and we’re as excited as ever, so we’ve decided to bring back our “Seven Bands To See” feature! The lineup this time around is as great as it has ever been, and the weekend is shaping up to be the biggest one yet. So, here’s who to keep an eye out for (other than looking for me, obviously):
Like we’ve done for the past two festivals, we kick off our preview with the weekend’s two openers. However, this time around, they seem to be keeping the winner of their annual SonicBids contest under wraps. Or, at least that’s the case at the moment.
But, if history has anything to say about it, then I’m not going to let their anonymity prevent me from saying that they’re going to be a band to check out.
With past winners including The Box Tiger back in May and Royal Teeth last September, the festival has a pretty great track record with choosing someone that the crowd will love. So, when they do eventually get revealed, which I can assume will be sometime very soon, we’ll be watching.
As for the opener that we do know about, the tradition of a Boston-based band starting one of the days continues for another year. On Sunday morning, locals Gentlemen Hall will take the stage in front of a hometown crowd who have already had a day and a half of festival under their belts. And by this point, they’ll be wanting more.
For fans of: Neon Trees, Hunter Hunted, Bad Suns For a taste, check out: “All Our Love,” “Sail Into the Sun” When you can see them: Saturday / Sunday, 1:05pm, Capital One Red Stage
With Boston Calling just a week away, we’ve decided to make a list of seven bands you do not want to miss. Whether they’re a headliner or an opener, whether they’re hip-hop, dance, rock & roll, or something somewhere in the middle, there are a handful of sets that you’re definitely going to want to pencil into your schedule.
We move on to our last spot on the list, The Gaslight Anthem!
It’s no surprise to have these guys penciled into the #1 spot on this list. But, it does bring up a very good question – was this entire list written just for the chance to convince readers to watch The Gaslight Anthem on Saturday? … No comment.
That being said, this New Jersey group is the epitome of what a modern-era rock & roll band should be. With pure passion, B-sides that rival most bands’ singles, and a flawless live act, they are not to be missed. See this band perform every chance you get.
With Boston Calling just a week away, we’ve decided to make a list of seven bands you do not want to miss. Whether they’re a headliner or an opener, whether they’re hip-hop, dance, rock & roll, or something somewhere in the middle, there are a handful of sets that you’re definitely going to want to pencil into your schedule.
As the winners of the Sonicbids Emerging Artists Competition, the two acts have been added as the openers of the festival’s two days. Whether it is the foot-stomping blues/shoegaze pop of Boston’s Viva Viva!, or Royal Teeth’s gorgeous synth-pop, dual-vocalled sound coming all the way from Louisiana, both bands deserve a spotlight and each will kick off their day with a bang.
For a taste, listen to: Viva Viva!’s “I Can Do Anything” / Royal Teeth’s “Wild”
For fans of: The Strokes, Weezer, Dustin Kensrue / 1997, A Fine Frenzy, HelloGoodbye
Set time:Viva Viva – 9/7, 12:50pm, Red Stage / Royal Teeth – 9/8, 12:50pm, Red Stage.
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