Boston Calling 2018 takes over Allston with another stacked lineup of stars this weekend. Get ready for this year’s installment of the festival with our complete guide to the music-filled, Memorial Day weekend festivities.
When is Boston Calling 2018?
The annual music fest returns for its second year at Harvard’s Athletic Complex in Allston May 25-27. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday. The performances are scheduled to wrap up by 11 p.m. on all three days.
Ticket info for Boston Calling 2018
There are still a few ticket options up for grabs for this weekend’s event. Single day VIP tickets are available for Friday and Saturday at $229 each, while single day general admission tickets are available for all three days at $105 each. Three-day general admission tickets are available for $289. The box office will also be open at the festival starting at noon on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
If you already purchased tickets, you can pick up your wristband early downstairs at the Tasty Burger in Harvard Square between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday. You can also pick them up at the festival at the front gate ticketing area.
What’s new for Boston Calling 2018?
Organizers have made several changes to the layout and various offerings ahead of Boston Calling 2018.
After suffering through long food lines and patchy cell phone service at last year’s installment, fans won’t have to worry about those issues this time around. In addition to making adjustments to the fest’s physical layout to make things more accessible to fans, co-founder Brian Appel tells us that they’ve teamed up with Harvard’s IT team to ensure guests can use their phones and the internet.
“Bringing a much more robust cell phone service plan along with Wi-Fi zones was a big undertaking,” says Appel.
On the food side of things, there’s a ton of new vendors setting up shop at the event this year, including Area Four, Caked Boston, Chicken & Rice Guys, The Chubby Chickpea, Commonwealth, Cookie DO, Deans Concessions, Jaju Pierogi and Union Square Donuts. Ikea also plans to show off its vegetarian version of its popular hot dog at the event. The VIP area now has a “Boardwalk Lounge” too, with offerings from places like Puritan & Company and Love Art Sushi.
“This is an awesome region of the country for food trucks, celebrity chefs and restaurants,” Appel says. “It would be a sin to not take advantage of all the great talent around here.”
Besides the grub, attendees can expect new artistic installations, an expanded craft beer experience, plus a slew of podcasts and comedians who’ll take over the indoor arena. “Some of the coolest stuff that happening at this festival takes place inside that arena,” says Appel.
How do you get to Boston Calling 2018?
“Public transportation is really the best way to come to this event,” Appel says. “There’s no reason to come and try to park in Allston. It’s kind of a disaster when you do that.”
Leave the car at home and take the T to Boston Calling 2018. The Red Line to Harvard Square station will be the best bet for most fans, as it’s just 10 minutes away from the main entrance at 65 N. Harvard St. in Allston. Guests who’re taking the Commuter Rail are also encouraged to stop at the Boston Landing station on the Worcester Line, which is just over a mile away from the fest.
If you don’t want to take the train, organizers ask that fans arrive via ride-sharing apps, taxi or bicycle. The bus is another good option as the 66 and 86 routes stop at Harvard Stadium.
What are the lineup and set times for Boston Calling 2018?
Friday, May 25
Green Stage
9:20 p.m.–10:50 p.m.: The Killers
6:55 p.m.–7:55 p.m.: Portugal. The Man
5 p.m.–5:50 p.m.: Noname
3:25 p.m.–4:05 p.m.: Big Thief
Red Stage
8 p.m.–9:15 p.m.: The National
5:55 p.m.–6:50 p.m.: Maggie Rogers
4:10 p.m.–4:55 p.m.: Perfume Genius
2:45 p.m.–3:20 p.m.: This Is The Kit
Blue Stage
8:05 p.m.–9:20 p.m.: Paramore
6:20 p.m.–7:15 p.m.: Pussy Riot
5 p.m.–5:45 p.m.: (Sandy) Alex G
3:50 p.m.–4:30 p.m.: Citizen
2:45 p.m.–3:20 p.m.: Charly Bliss
Arena Stage
6 p.m.–&:30 p.m.: Lovett Or Leave It
4:30p.m.–5:30 p.m.: Natalie Portman & Friends
Saturday May 26
Green Stage
9:20 p.m.–10:50 p.m.: Jack White
6:45 p.m.–7:55 p.m.: St. Vincent
4:40 p.m.–5:35 p.m.: Manchester Orchestra
2:50 p.m.–3:40 p.m.: The Oh Sees
1:15 p.m.–1:55 p.m.: Lillie Mae
Red Stage
8 p.m.–9:15 p.m.: Queens of the Stone Age
5:40 p.m.– 6:40 p.m.: Royal Blood
3:45 p.m.–4:35 p.m.: Belly
2 p.m.–2:45 p.m.: The Menzingers
12:40 p.m.–1:10 p.m.: Westside Gunn & Conway
Blue Stage
8:20 p.m.–9:20 p.m.: Tyler, The Creator
6:25 p.m.–7:20 p.m.: Brockhampton
4:50 p.m.–5:40 p.m.: Daniel Caesar
3:25 p.m.–4:10 p.m.: Mount Kimbie
2 p.m.–2:45 p.m.: Leikeli47
12:50 p.m.–1:30 p.m.: Tauk
Arena Stage
7:30 p.m.–8:15 p.m.: Bridgette Everett
7:25 p.m.–7:30 p.m.: Martin Urbano
7:05 p.m.–7:25 p.m.: Tony Hinchcliffe
7 p.m.–:05 p.m.: Martin Urbano
6:45 p.m.–7:00 p.m.: Jo Firestone
6:30 p.m.–6:45 p.m.: Martin Urbano
4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Pod Save America
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.: Natalie Portman & Friends
Sunday, May 27
Green Stage
9:10 p.m.–10:50 p.m.: Eminem
6:50 p.m.–7:50 p.m.: Mike D (DJ Set)
5 p.m.–5:50 p.m.: Thundercat
3:10 p.m.– 4 p.m.: Pond
1:35 p.m.–2:15 p.m.: Weakened Friends
Red Stage
7:55 p.m.–9:05 p.m.: Khalid
5:55 p.m.– 6:45 p.m.: Cousin Stizz
4:05 p.m.–4:55 p.m.: Alvvays
2:20 p.m.–3:05 p.m.: Taylor Bennett
1 p.m.–1:30 p.m.: STL GLD
Blue Stage
7:55 p.m.–9:05 p.m.: Fleet Foxes
6:05 p.m.–7:05 p.m.: The Decemberists
4:35 p.m.–5:25 p.m.: Julien Baker
3:10 p.m.–3:55 p.m.: Dirty Projectors
2 p.m.–2:40 p.m.: Zola Jesus
1 p.m.–1:30 p.m.: Field Report
Arena Stage
6 p.m.– 6:45 p.m.: David Cross
5:55 p.m.– 6 p.m.: Martin Urbano
5:35 p.m.–5:55 p.m.: Cameron Esposito
5:30 p.m.– 5:35 p.m.: Martin Urbano
5:15 p.m.–5:50 p.m.: Max Silverstri
5 p.m.–5:15 p.m.: Martin Urbano
3 p.m.–4 p.m.: Natalie Portman & Friends
