seven bands – Page 2

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #4, Father John Misty

Written by Eric Riley.

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!

On our list so far: #7. Grey Season/Dirty Bangs, #6. Of Monsters and Men, #5. Twin Shadow

Today we talk about our #4 pick, Father John Misty.

Late one night a week or two ago, my brother and I
were leaving the hospital after visiting my father, who was recovering from a
[minor, (don’t worry)] operation. Pulling out of the parking garage, my brother
put on Father John Misty’s “Chateau Lobby #4” and it was a perfect fit
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The bleak, dull grayness of a vacant parking garage rolled out in front of us as Josh Tillman crooned “First time, you let me stay the night, despite your own rules / you took off early to go cheat your way through film school. / You left a note in your perfect script: “Stay as long as you want;” I haven’t left your bed since.” Tillman’s clever, snappy lyricism is both charming and chilling, set to cool, crisp instrumentalism and ambient atmosphere. It was a soothing soundtrack to an unsettling situation, but it is bound to fit just as well (under much better settings) this weekend.

For fans of: My Morning Jacket, Dustin Kensrue, Fleet Foxes
For a taste, check out: “True Affection,” “Holy Shit,”
“Chateau Lobby #4”
Catch them: Saturday, 4:55pm; jetBlue Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #5, Twin Shadow

Written by Eric Riley.

On our list so far: #7. Grey Season/Dirty Bangs, #6. Of Monsters and Men

Today we talk about our #5 pick, Twin Shadow.

The 80’s are alive and well thanks to George Lewis Jr.
aka Twin
Shadow. Getting back to business as usual after a terrifying bus
accident in April of 2014 that forced the band into hiatus, this year’s Eclipse is packed with plenty of
examples that show Lewis is back at full strength.

“To the Top” is a monster of a single, which was featured on
the Paper Towns soundtrack this
summer (and is an awesome addition to a workout playlist, in case you were
looking for something new to sweat to).

For fans of: Genesis, Bleachers, JamisonParker,
For a taste, check out: “To the Top,” “Old Love / New Love,”
“Five Seconds”
Catch them: Sunday, 4:05pm; Red Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #6, Of Monsters and Men

Written by Eric Riley.

On our list so far: #7. Grey Season/Dirty Bangs

Today we talk about our #6 pick, Of Monsters and Men.

It’s always interesting when a band can reach a
certain level after only an album or two, and Of Monsters and Men are
one of these cases. With a trio of Platinum-or-better verified singles,
including the inescapable “Little Talks,” they were off to a heck of a start.

Now, as veterans of the inaugural Boston Calling and following
the release of sophomore album Beneath
the Skin, OM&M are headed back to City Hall Plaza to shake things up on
Friday night. Oh, and the band will have a cameo on Season 6 of Game of Thrones, too. So, that’s pretty
rad.

For fans of: Eisley, Walk Off the Earth, the Lumineers
For a taste, check out: “Empire,” “Dirty Paws,” “From
Finner”
Catch them: Friday, 7:25pm; Blue Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #7, Grey Season/Dirty Bangs

Written By Eric Riley.

Here we are once more in mid-September, which, joyously,
means a few things. One, and this is a big one: football season is back! Two,
also huge: hockey season is on the way! Thirdly, and certainly not to be
ignored: 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?

What has always stood out for me about Boston Calling (aside
from the obvious awesomeness) has been how it sets itself apart from any other
festival. Rather than spending a weekend camping out in the woods or sleeping
in the back seat of your car in a desert somewhere, you spend three days in
Government Square while Boston Calling rages on in the heart of Boston and
Bostonians alike. This tight sense of community is no accident, as each day
kicks off with a Boston-bred artist. This time around, Grey Season and Dirty
Bangs will do the honors.

The 2015 lineup seems to pack more of a folk rock punch than
others have in the past, and the Boston five-piece are sure to start things off
right. Their independently-released Time
Will Tell Us Well was released in April of last year to impressive
response. Fall is often labeled as the grey season, and their music will fit
perfectly with the coming months.

On Sunday, Cambridge shoegazers Dirty Bangs will forego Grey
Season’s folk vibes, bringing strong, catchy gloom-pop to City Hall Plaza.
Their latest record, Standards, is
currently available for your own price, and it’ll be worth whatever amount of
pennies you decide to spend.

For fans of:
GS: Greg Holden, Gin
Blossoms
DB: The Pink Spiders, the Hold Steady

For a taste, check out:
GS: “Roslyn,” “Look At Us Now,” “Lost
and Found”
DB: “Song for Lester,” “Heat,” “Nashville
Days & L.A. Nights”

Catch them:
GS: Saturday,
1:00pm; Red Stage
DB: Sunday, 1:05pm; Red Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #1, twenty | one | pilots

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!

On our list so far: #7. Sonicbids Winner/Gentlemen Hall, #6. The National, #5. The 1975, #4. Bleachers, #3. Lorde, #2. Childish Gambino

—

Today we talk about our #1 pick, twenty | one | pilots.

Finding the words to accurately describe twenty|one|pilots is no easy task.

Their music is nearly unclassifiable, bouncing back and forth between a handful of genres with a frequency that keeps you hooked without pulling you in too many directions. Mixing pop/punk choruses and rap verses with EDM drops, ukulele, piano, and drums, the group is a rarity. With 2013’s Vessel, the duo (Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun) released one of the year’s most daring, interesting, and all-around impressive albums. And while their sound is diverse, their presence never changes. Supported by a following that it more of a family than a fanbase, the group has a dedicated gathering behind it. Though I’ve never experienced their live show in-person, each example I’ve seen, no matter how brief or extensive, has shown something special. I’ve been waiting a long while for a chance to watch this performance, and it’s one you couldn’t pay me to miss.

For fans of: Chronic Future, Panic! at the Disco, New Politics
For a taste, check out: “Car Radio,” “House of Gold,” “Guns for Hands”
When you can see them: Sunday, 5:00pm, Jetblue Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #2, Childish Gambino

On our list so far: #7. Sonicbids Winner/Gentlemen Hall, #6. The National, #5. The 1975, #4. Bleachers, #3. Lorde
—

Today we talk about our #2 pick, Childish Gambino.

Donald Glover makes it difficult to focus on one aspect of his talent, because it seems like wherever you turn, he’s not only there, but he’s owning it. Actor, comedian, musician, and much more, Glover will be closing out Saturday night’s show in front of what is sure to be a packed crowd. Whether it’s 2011’s Camp or … Because the Internet, which was 2013’s last great release, Glover delivered a noticeably different style and tone on each, while still managing to impress. Sometimes tender and caring, other times merciless and vicious, Childish Gambino is a two-headed monster, capable of delivering a soft, smooth love ballad followed immediately by a rapidfire assault. His performance is bound to be fierce and intense.

For fans of: Lupe Fiasco, Tyler the Creator, Kid Cudi
For a taste, check out: “Crawl,” “Heartbeat,” “That Power”
When you can see them: Saturday, 9:30pm, Jetblue Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #3, Lorde

On our list so far: #7. Sonicbids Winner/Gentlemen Hall, #6. The National, #5. The 1975, #4. Bleachers

—

Today we talk about our #3 pick, Lorde.

Like I mentioned a bit earlier, there were a handful of artists who dominated 2013. Earning four Grammy nominations (and two wins) at 17, Lorde had a pretty decent year. The success of “Royals” placed her in the spotlight, but it’s the undeniable charm and ambiance throughout the rest of her Pure Heroine that makes her special. Later this year, she will be curating the soundtrack to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, as well as releasing a new single for the movie and working on her follow-up album. When she takes the stage in Boston for the second time this year (after a sold-out show at The Orpheum in May), there’s no doubt she’ll captivate.

For fans of: Grimes, Tegan & Sara, Lana Del Rey
For a taste, check out: “Ribs,” “A World Alone,” “Team”
When you can see them: Saturday, 8:15pm, Capital One Red Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #5, The 1975

On our list so far: #7. Sonicbids Winner/Gentlemen Hall, #6. The National
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Today we talk about our #5 pick, The 1975.

Not many acts had the breakout year last year that the 1975 did (maybe one or two, but we’ll get there later). After a huge year featuring a breakout debut album that took people by storm, the buzz surrounding this band has been on the rise for months and continues to grow. Their live show is one that shows they’re more than a good album, and it shouldn’t be skipped.

For fans of: Bastille, The Neighbourhood, The Kooks
For a taste, check out: “The City,” “Fallingforyou,” “Chocolate”
When you can see them: Sunday, 6:05pm, Capital One Red Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #6, The National

On our list so far:#7. Sonicbids Winner/Gentlemen Hall

–

Today we talk about our #6 pick, The National.

Though they hail from Cincinnati, The National have a longstanding relationship with Boston Calling. Not only did the band headline the first festival back in May 2013, but vocalist Aaron Dessner has helped curate the festival’s lineups. Now, they’re back for their second term as headliner, closing out Friday’s show. Their performance will be great regardless, that’s a given. But be sure to watch, or else Dessner might not build us a lineup for May!

For fans of: Interpol, the Airborne Toxic Event, The Strokes
For a taste, check out: “Don’t Swallow the Cap,” “Sea of Love,” “Fake Empire”
When you can see them: Friday, 9:30pm, Jetblue Stage