Boston Calling 2025, a Y2K festival?
Including Y2K-era acts like TLC, T-Pain, Public Enemy, Avril Lavigne, and Sheryl Crow suggests Boston Calling settles for a nostalgic appeal.
Boston Calling 2025's lineup announcement sparked a lively conversation about the festival's evolving identity. With headliners Luke Combs, Fall Out Boy, and Dave Matthews Band leading the charge at Harvard Athletic Complex this Memorial Day weekend, the festival appears to be leaning heavily into nostalgia and established stars, while perhaps losing some of the spark that helped it stand out in the past.
A Nostalgia-Driven Lineup?
Including Y2K-era acts like TLC, T-Pain, Public Enemy, Avril Lavigne, and Sheryl Crow suggests Boston Calling settles for a nostalgic appeal. These artists resonate with millennials who grew up during their peak and Gen Z fans who have rediscovered them on platforms like TikTok. However, the lack of emerging stars—artists like Magdalena Bay, Last Dinner Party, or Caroline Polachek—raises questions about the festival's foresight in curating fresh talent that could define future festivals.
Local Talent Shines on the Orange Stage
The Orange Stage remains a highlight, showcasing Boston's vibrant music scene. This year, acts like Battlemode, Megan From Work, Sidebody, and Latrell James are set to bring a local flavor that fans continue to appreciate. The emphasis on regional artists helps ground the festival and adds a personal touch to the larger, more commercial stages.
Improvements to the Grounds
Fans have expressed relief at the changes to the festival layout, following last year's safety and logistical issues. With reorganized stages, shorter lines, and improved access to drinking stations, cheaper tickets, organizers have shown they’re listening to attendees. These updates could enhance the overall experience, even if the lineup itself feels less dynamic. In many ways, this is clear given the festival announced that the current pre-sale was their best. Could it be a combination of the Y2K lineup, and all these other factors?
Who is Boston Calling For?
This is perhaps the most pressing question. The festival seems to be trying to cater to multiple audiences—nostalgic millennials, country fans, rock enthusiasts, and TikTok-savvy youth—but in doing so, risks losing a cohesive identity. In past years, Boston Calling highlighted rising stars like Kendrick Lamar, Lizzo, Lorde, HAIM, Clairo, and Noah Kahan, balancing big names with a forward-thinking approach. This year's lineup feels more fragmented, with a heavier focus on legacy acts and viral one-offs.
Missed Opportunities
The absence of up-and-coming headliners or indie darlings like Charli XCX, Shaboozey, Benson Boone, The Marías, or Caroline Polachek is noticeable. These artists could bridge the gap between nostalgia and novelty, appealing to both longtime festival-goers and younger audiences. Without them, Boston Calling 2025 might feel more like a throwback festival than a space for discovering the next big thing.
The Bigger Picture
As Boston Calling moves forward, it needs to address what kind of festival it wants to be. Is it primarily a celebration of the past, a launchpad for future stars, or a mix of both? This year’s lineup, while appealing in parts, leaves that question unresolved. Whether the festival can recapture its balance of legacy and innovation will likely determine its longevity in a competitive festival market.