Show Review:: Boston Calling May 2015, Day 1

Written by Kara Kokinos and Eric Riley.
Photos by Eric Riley.

Still a relatively new addition, the Friday night performances of Boston Calling have gone a bit unnoticed, or rather underappreciated, over these last three festivals. Neutral Milk Hotel’s media-blackout performance in September was a wonderful springboard into The National’s return to the BC stage, and last weekend’s opening night was another one to be remembered.

Beginning with the angelic-voiced Sharon Van Etten, Boston Calling 2015 was officially here. Combining her strong vocals with the dreamy, airy tone of her backing music, Van Etten lulled the crowd into a soft stir of excitement. Though that sounds like a contradiction, it’s a positive one – the performance was calm and light, but still powerful and hypnotizing. It was a wonderful fit for the setting – chill-inducing music on a warm Friday night, in the center of the city, getting a crowd of fans ready for the very busy weekend to come.
STAND OUT SONG: “I Don’t Want To Let You Down”

Bookended by a band on either side of them, Australia’s Tame Impala filled the second of three slots on Friday. Though they didn’t have the booking as top headliner, neither the band nor the crowd seemed to let that sway their intensity. A stark contrast to the ambient Van Etten, Tame Impala’s spacious psych-rock shook the walls of the plaza. Without much time or indication of a change between songs, the set was very well-received by the fans hoping for an experimental, “jam-band”-esque performance. Performing on a weekend that also featured the atmospheric My Morning Jacket made for a success.
STAND OUT SONG: “Eventually”

Lastly, there was the man of the hour – the one and only Beck. Reminiscent of the aforementioned Neutral Milk Hotel performance from last year, Beck also limited the presence of media and photography during his set, aiming for a performance that relied on the music rather than how it would be taken in. A risky request, but one that a performer such as he could execute. If Tame Impala drew a crowd, Beck brought along a flock of fans. Having been at or near the top of his game for the better part of two decades, his fanbase has had a very long time to reach its current size, and those in attendance did not disappoint.

His set showcased songs throughout the various stages of his career, with each era being performed as if it was his newest, going off without missing a beat. By the time his hour came to a close, the plaza was buzzing with what they were able to just witness – a living legend doing what he does best.
STAND OUT SONG: “E-Pro”

Friday night delivered everything that it was expected to, and then some, much like the festival itself has always done. Just when you think it has reached a peak, it climbs a little further.

And this was only Day One.

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #1, Tenacious D

Today’s the day!! It is day one of Boston Calling and you can expect to see tons of coverage from us over the next couple of days! Wrapping up our Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling, we bring you our number one artist you need to be keeping an eye out for!

On our list so far: #7. Sharon Van Etten / Krill / The Ballroom Thieves, #6. Run The Jewels, #5. Halsey, #4. Marina and the Diamonds, #3. Beck, #2. St. Vincent

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Today we talk about our #1 pick, Tenacious D.

They be not angels,
they are but men. But, though mere men, they make up TENACIOUS D, The Greatest Metal Band in the World. While they have
their roots planted deep in comedy, it would be impossible to deny the serious
talent Jack Black and Kyle Gass both have.

 

With a new album (potentially) planned for 2016-2017, and a
trio of rock operas in their arsenal, Sunday night is going to be absolutely
insane in the absolutely best way possible.

For fans of: everything.
For a taste, check out: “Beezleboss (the Final Showdown),” “Tribute,”
“Kickapoo”
Catch them: Sunday, 8:05, Red Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #2, St. Vincent

It’s almost time! It’s only a few days until we’re back at Boston Calling once more. So, to keep with tradition, here is our list of who you need to be keeping an eye out for!

On our list so far: #7. Sharon Van Etten / Krill / The Ballroom Thieves, #6. Run The Jewels, #5. Halsey, #4. Marina and the Diamonds, #3. Beck

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Today we talk about our #2 pick, St. Vincent

I first saw ST. VINCENT when she performed on The Colbert Report last February, and
then seeing her a few months later on Saturday
Night Live had me hooked. It was this strange combination of energetic and
frigid, staged and theatrical, yet free and random.

 

Her music has been labeled “baroque pop” and “art rock” and
a dozen other things, but I think it’ll be something different to each
different listener. And when it translates to stage, it’ll be even more. (Also,
her self-titled album took home “Best Alternative Album” and made my Top 10
from 2014; maybe that’ll hold some merit?)

For fans of: Scissor Sisters, Tegan & Sara, the Dresden
Dolls
For a taste, check out: “Prince Johnny,” “Teenage Talk,”  “Digital Witness”
Catch them: Saturday, 6:50, JetBlue

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

It’s almost time! It’s less than one week away until we’re back at Boston Calling once more. So, to keep with tradition, here is our list of who you need to be keeping an eye out for!

On our list so far: #7. Sharon Van Etten / Krill / The Ballroom Thieves, #6. Run The Jewels, #5. Halsey, #4. Marina and the Diamonds

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Today we talk about our #3 pick, Beck.

The Boston Calling
folks couldn’t get Beyoncé this year, so they booked Beck instead. (Not really.)

 

It deserves to be mentioned that Beck’s 12^th (12^TH!)
album brought home the Grammy for Album of the Year this year, but it also isn’t as big of an achievement as
it sounds, since the man has been winning Grammys almost as long as I’ve been
alive. I sincerely doubt you have better Friday night plans.

For fans of: The Arcade Fire, BASTILLE, Modest Mouse
For a taste, check out: “E-Pro,” “Blue Moon,” “Modern Guilt” (And “Loser,”
obviously)
Catch them: Friday, 9:15, JetBlue Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #4, Marina and the Diamonds

It’s almost time! It’s less than one week away until we’re back at Boston Calling once more. So, to keep with tradition, here is our list of who you need to be keeping an eye out for!

On our list so far: #7. Sharon Van Etten / Krill / The Ballroom Thieves, #6. Run The Jewels, #5. Halsey

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Today we talk about our #4 pick, Marina and the Diamonds.

I’m not entirely sure how to describe her, but all I
can really say about Marina and the
Diamonds is that I am 145% sure we are going to have a ridiculously great
time watching this performance. She’s part dancefloor, part opera house, but it
all works.

 

Her crowd will be wild and energetic and ambitious, which
will be a perfect fit. And for those who may be new to Marina and aren’t sure
how to handle it, it’s simple: rule number one is you gotta have fun.

For fans of: The Ting Tings, La Roux, Ke$ha
For a taste, check out: “Homewrecker,” “Primadonna,” “How to Be a Heartbreaker”
Catch them: Saturday, 5:45, Red Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #5, Halsey

It’s almost time! It’s less than one week away until we’re back at Boston Calling once more. So, to keep with tradition, here is our list of who you need to be keeping an eye out for!

On our list so far: #7. Sharon Van Etten / Krill / The Ballroom Thieves, #6. Run The Jewels

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Today we talk about our #5 pick, Halsey.

I didn’t get my first
listen of Halsey until early this
year, but from then on, there was no turning back. Her music is purely
addictive, and her huge “Ghost” is anything you could hope for from a pop song
– smooth, soft, sharp and seductive.

 

One of the serious contenders for Breakout Artist of
late-2014/2015, her early time slot is going to be a serious treat for those
who get there early. But, if she makes her way back for another round sometime
down the road, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her performing much later.

For fans of: Ellie Goulding, Lorde, Sia
For a taste, check out: “Hurricane,” “Ghost,” “Empty Gold”
Catch them: Sunday, 1:35, JetBlue Stage

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

It’s almost time! It’s less than one week away until we’re back at Boston Calling once more. So, to keep with tradition, here is our list of who you need to be keeping an eye out for!

On our list so far: #7. Sharon Van Etten / Krill / The Ballroom Thieves

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Today we talk about our #6 pick, Run The Jewels.

In comparison to the
last time around, this lineup features a much smaller amount of hip-hop.
September had Childish Gambino and Nas (and twenty one pilots, if we’re being
fair), while September 2013 brought us Major Lazer and Kendrick Lamar. The May
editions seem to favor the indie/pop/rock side of things, so Run the Jewels’ chunk of time is sure
to be a contrast from the majority of the rest of the weekend, in a good way.

 

Plus, even though El-P has assured the public that Run the Jewels 3 will definitely not be
coming out until 2016, that doesn’t definitely
mean we won’t be getting the first taste of new music, right? We’ll seeeeeee.

For fans of: Childish Gambino, Lupe Fiasco, Major Lazer
For a taste, check out: “Close Your Eyes,” “All Due Respect,” “Oh My Darling
Don’t Cry”
Catch them: Saturday, 2:55, JetBlue Stage

Seven Bands To See At Boston Calling: #7, Sharon Van Etten / Krill / The Ballroom Thieves

It’s almost time! Happy Saturday! Yesterday marked ONE WEEK until we’re back at Boston Calling once more. So,
to keep with tradition, here is our list of who you need to be keeping an eye
out for!

In the past, we’ve begun these countdowns with the winners
of the contest that granted them the opening slot on each day. However, this
year, we’ll shake things up a bit. There’s no contest to discuss, and it came
to my attention that, in discussing the openers on Saturday and Sunday, I was
unconsciously ignoring the Friday night support. Shame! So, let’s fix that,
yes?

Friday evening, the night (and the festival itself) will
begin with Sharon Van Etten.

Her soft, yet strong voice is sure to draw in the
concertgoers who are waiting around outside, unsure whether or not they should
bother showing up early. Hint: you should. This is just a suggestion (or, more
of a hope), but if she begins the night by playing “Serpents,” we’ll be off to
a very favorable start to our weekend.

Saturday and Sunday mornings will start off in more
customary fashion, with a local act leading off the day. First, Krill bring along a sound that is
somehow both unpolished and sharp, with a vibe that spans decades – 70’s
psychedelic rock meets 90’s garage grunge and modern grit.

Sunday, the Boston trio The
Ballroom Thieves will start things off a bit cleaner. Their folk-pop brand
slips in and out of a handful of genres, making them a great choice to begin a
diverse day’s lineup.

For fans of:
SVE: A Fine Frenzy, VÉRITÉ
Krill: The Front
Bottoms, mewithoutYou
TBT: Edward
Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Bright Eyes

For a taste, check out:
SVE: “Serpents,”
“Afraid of Nothing”
Krill: “Phantom,”
“Theme From Krill”
TBT: “Loose
Lips,” “Archers”

Catch them:
SVE: Friday, 6:30, JetBlue Stage
Krill: Saturday,
12:55, Red Stage
TBT: Sunday, 1:00, Red
Stage