May 30, 2016

Recap: Boston Calling Delivers First Class Music Festival Experience for 7th Installment

May 30, 2016/ Prince Hal

Sia closes out the first day of Boston Calling Music Festival on May 27th, 2016 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

With its assortment of female powerhouse vocalists, EDM duos, and synthy alt-rock groups, Boston Calling was business as usual this year. Check out some of the highlights from the weekend below.

Friday, May 27:

Sia:

One of the most anticipated acts of the festival, Sia did not disappoint. Besides a change in cast, the set was not much different than her explosive Coachella performance: blank white stage, Sia off to one side, and stunning dancing throughout. The crowd ate Sia's polished performance right up.

Sufjan Stevens:

Before Sia, we were treated to the neon-splashed, balloon-covered spectacle that was Sufjan Stevens. With intricate bird wings and waving inflatable people, this quirky performer's visuals stole the show. Stevens told the crowd that, after singing songs about death on tour for the past year, he was ready to have some fun. With the crowd on board, his performance was nothing but fun.

Saturday, May 28:

Robyn:

As the last act of the night, Robyn turned Boston Calling into a night club. Instead of performing song-by-song, the swedish turned her discography into a single 90-minute dance remix. Oh, and she didn't stop dancing the entire time.

Odesza:

Odesza was one of the few true EDM performances we've seen thus far at Boston Calling. The duo performed with a full band, including a full horn section, in front of a giant LED screen. The crowd was treated to a series of colorful visuals reminiscent of the group's album covers. One of the bigger names in the festival circuit this year, Odesza was a blast.

Miike Snow:

In contrast to previous tours, Miike Snow's festival performance was a more intimate take. There was a lot of love in the crowd for their three new singles ("I Feel the Weight", "Heart is Full", and especially "Genghis Khan"). Though it was clear that their classic "Animal" was the crowd favorite.

Sunday, May 29:

Disclosure:

The star EDM duo had a fantastic performance to close out the weekend. The stage became a wall of LED screens showing crude outlines of star vocalists faces in the style of their album covers. Disclosure brought some of the biggest cheers of the whole weekend, especially with their hits "Magnets" and "Latch". The group also was the only group with an encore, bringing out special guest Brendan Reilly.

Haim:

The Haim sisters brought mounds of energy to the red stage. The stage was a dazzling array of old-school theater-style lights and giant mirror screens. With sing-alongs and banter between songs, Haim engaged the crowd more than any other performer this weekend (for instance, the sisters explained how "My Song 5" came about after the three sisters "were cheated on someone in the same damn week"). The trio even brought an earlier band, Christine and the Queens, back on stage to keep the party going.

Janelle Monáe:

Monáe's act was polished perfection. Dressed in black and white and arriving Hannibal Lecter-style to the stage, Monáe was a fiery performer. The superstar devoted her show to powerful messages of feminism and racial equality. Highlights include a touching Prince tribute, a spot-on cover of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back", and her mega-hit "Yoga".

Conclusion:

Boston Calling organizers proved once again (for the 7th time) that they know how to throw a seamless, trouble free music festival in the heart of a bustling city. With a diverse line up with acts in almost every genre, there was something for everyone. Combine the great artist lineup with a hefty selection of local food and beer options, it would be hard not to have a good time. It will be interesting to see how well Boston Calling scales to an even bigger music festival, as the event's organizers recently announced an expansion for 2017. If this 7th installment of the music series is any indication, though, expect it to be another unforgettable weekend.

September 08, 2014

Concert Review: Boston Calling Music Festival Ends With A 'Bang'

September 08, 2014/ Prince Hal

Nas perfoming at the Boston Calling Music Festival on September 7th, 2014 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Though the ugly weather has come and gone, the Boston Calling Music Festival marches on for one more day!

The day got rolling with great band after great band. Gentleman Hall, San Fermin, and White Denim all gave startlingly terrific live performances, all with slightly different niches at that.

San Fermin put on amazing show. This band had a lot of unique characteristics; echo-y horns and violin and two lead singers (one male, one female) were featured in this performance. White Denim had a uniquely Rock'n'Roll attitude, making them stand out strikingly from the crowd. They ended their set with a bang or, in the lead singer's case, three broken strings violently ripped from his guitar.

The War on Drugs and Lake Street Drive were more low-key, having more of a feel-good attitude compared to the acts before and after.

Twenty One Pilots performing at Boston Calling Music Festival on September 7th, 2014 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Next came a definite crowd-favorite: Twenty-One Pilots. Cheers arose as the duo took the stage donning their iconic balaclava masks for the first few songs. This act was as loud, reckless, and abundantly energetic as it gets, with both members working every inch of the stage. Highlights included a drumming platform held by the audience, ukelele renditions of Ace Hood's "Bugatti" and Beyonce's "Drunk in Love", and the duo's own hits "Car Radio" and "House of Gold".

The 1975 was up next, bringing some modern british-rock to the Boston Calling scene. A hit with the younger festival fans, lead singer Matt Healy even invited one lucky teenager to sit on stage with the band while they performed. The festival erupted for their big hit "Chocolate".

A huge fan-favorite at the festival this year was Spoon. Spoon performed songs from all over their repertoire, including "Got Nuffin", "The Underdog", "Don't You Evah", "Who Makes Your Money", and "Knock Knock Knock". Spoon's special brand of psychedelic rock was well complimented by the festival setting, and it was a performance that few will forget any time soon.

The Replacements kept the rock trend going, playing loud enough for all of Boston to hear. Still, the anticipation was palpable for the final act of the night...

Nas took the stage, earning the loudest cheer at the Boston Calling Music Festival to date. The crowd erupted as Nas went through his half of the set. Nearly every audience member joined in for chants of "I know I can/Be what I wanna be/If i work hard at it/I'll be where I wanna be." Soon, The Roots joined in for one perfect marriage of sound. It was the best end to the best weekend of music in Boston.

See more photos from day 3 of Boston Calling Music Festival in the gallery below:

September 07, 2014

Concert Review: Lorde & Childish Gambino Take Boston Calling Day 2

September 07, 2014/ Prince Hal

Lorde performing at Boston Calling Music Festival on September 6th, 2014 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

The energy has risen with the temperature: it's time for day two of Boston Calling Music Festival!

The day kicked off with three incredible acts: St. Nothing, Clifflight, and S. Carey. These bands brought completely different energies, giving a taste of what was to come later in the afternoon.

Sky Ferreira performing at Boston Calling Music Festival on September 6th, 2014 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Next came Sky Ferreira. Ferreira walked on stage with a calm, cool confidence, kicking the concert off with "24 Hours". Her sound had a big synth pop vibe, with a borderline-punk hint. She rattled song after song, such as "Ain't Your Right", "Boys" and "Everything is Embarrassing". The bass synths were bone-shakingly loud, complimented with Sky's strong, fluttery vocals.

Bleachers was a huge hit at the festival. "Fun." member Jack Antonoff's new project was a huge success. The audience went crazy for their hit "I Wanna Get Better", as well as their cover of "Dreams" by the Cranberries.

With The Hold Steady came an unfortunate storm, causing both Volcano Choir's and Girl Talk's sets to be skipped over. Nevertheless, the Boston Calling staff handled the hiccup with grace, getting everything back in shape for Lorde and Childish Gambino. Those who witnessed the storm understand how impressive this was for them to have recovered, especially since the only visible damage was the red stage's banners and the stand for one of the video screens.

Now for the final acts of the night:

Lorde took the stage around nine o'clock to loud cheers from all. Despite her being one of the most pop-oriented acts of the night, Lorde brought a sound, an energy, and an image that was uniquely her own. Performing her hits "Royals", "Team" and "Tennis Courts", Lorde put her fans in a frenzy. Her recordings simply don't portray how earth-shatteringly heavy her sound is. Her black and white imagery had a nice contrast in comparison to what was to follow.

Enter Childish Gambino, the final act of the night. The setting was surreal: his floral print clothing set in front of a bright screen portraying a room of arches and columns. He performed stunningly, with an almost possessed look in his eyes. While many musicians tend to have a performing persona, few fully immerse themselves in that character as well as Childish Gambino does in concert.

See more photos from Day 2 of Boston Calling Music Festival in the gallery below:

September 06, 2014

Concert Review: Boston Calling Day 1

September 06, 2014/ Prince Hal

Boston Calling Music Festival (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

The Commuter Rail is packed, Faneuil Hall is a buzz & great music is resonating through the streets surrounding Government Center, meaning only one thing... it must be time for another Boston Calling Music Festival!

Little has changed in the setup from last fall to now, with both stages relatively close together opposite Boston City Hall. Most of the setup was familiar: the beer garden, lemonade stands, food trucks-turned tents, even a small convenience store. There's nothing revolutionary this year, but Boston Calling has refused to lose its charm in its fourth rendition.

Future Islands performing at Boston Calling Music Festival on September 5th, 2014 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Now to the acts: The night was kicked off by a passionate performance by Future Islands. This performance had the quintessential festival sound: loud, ringing synths, echo-y guitars, etc. However, up their sleeve were unique, deep, growly vocals which added a bit of texture to that familiar concert vibe.

Up next was the long awaited Neutral Milk Hotel. The crowd erupted in cheers as lead singer Jeff Mangum opened the performance with nothing more than his voice and a guitar. Shortly after, the band ran on stage to join in for "Holland in 1945", and the night was off. The clear crowd favorite was the collective three-part of "King of Carrot Flowers", especially with the heavy rock tempo of part 3. Their setup was simple, nothing more than a lit stage with instruments and microphones. Nevertheless, this is a band that needs nothing more than their music to captivate the audience. Mangum performed solo again for "Two-Headed Boy", marking a lull before the final few songs. In a clever attempt to start a singalong, Mangum claimed to have a virus making it conveniently hard to sing the hugely popular "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea". It was an honor to see the elusive Neutral Milk Hotel in concert, and words can only do a poor job to explain how amazing a performance they put on. If you have the chance to see them live, don't even hesitate. Just see them.

The night ended with an old friend to Boston Calling: The National. A mellower performance, this performance was a great end to a great night. Highlights included calls from the audience of "Everything I love is on the table/Everything I love is out to see" during "Don't Swallow the Cap" and their hit "Bloodbuzz Ohio". The National released viewers back into the night in a trance-like haze, making it the perfect ending for this surreal first night at Boston Calling.

See photos from the first day of Boston Calling below:

August 24, 2014

Concert Review: Brad Paisley Brings 'Southern Charm' to Mansfield

August 24, 2014/ Prince Hal

Brad Paisley performs at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA on August 23rd as part of his "Country Nation" tour (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Tailgating, beer, and plenty of country music: Brad Paisley, along with Charlie Worsham, Leah Turner, and Randy Houser, brought a warm & friendly slice of the South to Mansfield, MA.

The night kicked off with a very energetic rock and roll performance by Charlie Worsham. Charlie made a point of getting up close and personal with his fans, even playing guitar through the aisles.

Leah Turner performs at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA on August 23rd as part of Brad Paisley's "Country Nation" tour (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Next came Leah Turner. Turner and her band burst onto the stage with a smash, blasting Fall Out Boy's "Light Em' Up". Early on came Turner's hit single "Take the Keys", where she shined as bright as her glittery microphone. You could tell she enjoyed every moment on stage. Leah was very playful with the audience, singling out fans to "Be my Steve McQueen". She began each song with a short monologue from the coming song, such as, "This song goes out to all those with tobacco running through their veins, lord knows I do, and bless my heart." The following song, "Bless my Heart", then included a singalong with the audience. Other highlights from the show included her performance of the Dixie Chicks' "Cowboy Take Me Away" and a spirited performance of Turner's own "My Finger".

The night was moved along by DeeJay Silver, who played bass-heavy remixes of popular country and rock songs.

Randy Houser performs at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA on August 23rd as part of Brad Paisley's "Country Nation" tour (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Next came Randy Houser and his band in a cloud of smoke—some of from their own cigars and pipes. Houser's performance consisted of quintessential party-country music, exemplified by Houser's genuine twang. Houser brought the most energetic performance of the night, getting the audience on their feet with his "Boots On." All the country elements were at play here, from song themes such as never-ending summer in his "Growin' Younger" to the traditional country organ and pedal steel guitar. After a few songs, the band drifted back into the smoky green backdrop, allowing Randy to take center stage. Randy performed his more sensitive "Goodbye Kiss", where he featured a singalong. He even wore one lucky audience member's Coors Light cowboy hat! Other highlights from the set included a performance of Garth Brooks "Friends in Low Places" and Houser's own hit "Like a Cowboy." Houser's set was easily the most crowd-rousing of the night, getting everyone on their feet and primed for Paisley's closing act.

Paisley's set was huge, covered in more lights and LED screens than one can imagine. The visuals were dominating, included a NASA space launch, a '69 Camaro, and a personalized satellite zoom-in on the Xfinity Center itself. Paisley's performance featured a few instruments unique to the night, including a fiddle, a weird mandolin/baby guitar, and (of course) a paisley guitar. Paisley got the audience going with his cleverly lyrical "Ticks." He got huge cheers for his "Waitin' on a Woman" in honor of the late Andy Griffith. His hit "Celebrity" was augmented by a hilarious montage of Paisley doing illicit things in a mascot head, including riding a wrecking ball like Miley Cyrus. Another highlight was "This is Country Music", paying homage to country legends such as John Denver and Johnny Cash.

Paisley's brand of country was the more steady paced, storytelling brand, which served as a great cool-down for a night full of country from all walks. If you love country music, and you want to have a good time, you know just where to go.

See more photos from the show below: