Day 2: Rain, Resilience, and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Saturday, May 24 | Harvard Athletic Complex, Boston, MA
Boston Calling 2025’s second day opened under heavy clouds and even heavier rain. But not even a downpour could keep the crowds away. Ponchos, boots, umbrellas—and plenty of soggy socks—were all part of the fashion as fans poured into the Harvard Athletic Complex early Saturday. What they got in return was a genre-spanning musical experience that proved once again: Boston comes out for the music, no matter the forecast.
Morning Downpours & Local Heroes
The day kicked off with a thunder of drums and, well, thunder. Pinklids opened the Orange Stage with scrappy indie pop that punched through the gloom like a glitter cannon. Despite the early hour and relentless rain, their energy was infectious and the growing crowd soaked it all in—literally.
Side Body followed with a darker, synth-heavy performance that embraced the storm. Layers of reverb and shadowy vocals mirrored the weather, while the band’s emotional intensity held the crowd tight.
Punk veterans Rebuilder lit up the Orange Stage later in the day with a set that turned the mud pit into a mosh pit. They tore through their catalogue with grit and gratitude, reminding everyone that local bands can absolutely command a festival stage.
Emerging Voices in the Rain
The rain didn’t slow down standout performances from emerging talents.
Sofia Isella delivered a raw, art-pop performance drenched in emotion and glitchy beats. Her set was a bold and futuristic mix of vulnerability and rebellion that captivated fans, rain jackets and all.
Mon Rovîa offered a soulful reprieve from the chaos with a velvet-smooth set that warmed up the Arena stage like a cozy café in a storm. Their blend of R&B, jazz, and electronic flourishes made for one of the day’s most intimate moments.
Timmy Shelley brought lo-fi charm and upbeat guitar pop to the afternoon slot. His quirky stage presence and catchy hooks made him a surprise crowd favorite, with people clapping along as if the sun were shining already.
Lucius Clears the Skies
Just when it seemed like the rain might stick around all day, Lucius took to the Blue Stage—and with them came the first break in the clouds. As Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig’s golden harmonies soared through “Dusty Trails” and “Next to Normal,” the last drops of rain fizzled out. Fans slowly peeled off their ponchos and lifted their faces to the clearing sky.
Lucius’s performance was more than just beautiful—it was restorative. Their synchronized vocals, shimmering attire, and sweeping melodies brought a sense of catharsis that only live music can provide. It felt symbolic: a clearing not just of weather, but of worry.
Rock Royalty Rolls In
With dry skies at last, the energy surged heading into the evening sets.
Cage the Elephant turned the Green Stage into a full-blown spectacle. Frontman Matt Shultz gave a wild, unhinged performance, jumping into the crowd and writhing across the stage as the band fired off hits like “Mess Around,” “Come a Little Closer,” and “Trouble.” It was loud, sweaty, and perfectly unpolished—exactly the kind of chaos festival fans live for.
Over on the Blue Stage, The Black Crowes brought blues-rock swagger in full force. “She Talks to Angels” and “Remedy” hit with timeless soul, while Chris Robinson’s charisma held court over a massive, now-dry audience. It was classic rock at its most enduring.
Fall Out Boy: Pop-Punk Baptism
Then came Fall Out Boy, Saturday’s main event—and a baptism by fire, nostalgia, and fireworks.
Emerging to a roaring crowd, the band launched into “The Phoenix” with pyrotechnics blazing. Their rotating stage setup allowed for a seamless start, and the performance only built from there. With Patrick Stump’s vocals as sharp as ever, and Pete Wentz wielding his bass like a lightning rod, the band powered through hits like “Dance, Dance,” “This Ain’t a Scene,” and “Thnks fr th Mmrs.”
The crowd, a soaked and sun-dried mass of devoted fans, screamed every word. The energy hit its peak during “Sugar, We’re Goin Down,” when giant flames shot skyward and confetti rained down—this time, blessedly, not water.
Unified in the Elements
Day 2 of Boston Calling was a testament to New England spirit. Rain came hard, but fans came harder—dancing in the deluge, then basking in the post-rain glow of a perfectly balanced festival lineup. From the stirring harmonies of Lucius to the all-out blitz of Fall Out Boy, the day delivered something for everyone.
Boston Calling doesn’t just endure the elements—it celebrates them.
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