by Amy Morrill
With incredible artists such as Sia, Disclosure, Haim, Sufjan Stevens, ODESZA, and many more, Boston Calling is shaping up to thrill audiences more than ever this year.
Recently, the festival issued a press release revealing exciting information about both its lineup and an additional stage that will be added this year to the traditional two.
According to the press release, the new stage will be open on May 28 and 29, featuring some of Boston’s “most talented comedians and up-and-coming bands.” The stage will be hosted by Boston comedian Lamont Price, who was called a “Comedian to Watch” by Comedy Central, has opened for Hannibal Buress, and has been featured on both NPR and Rolling Stone.
“It’s no secret that Boston Calling has quickly become one of the premiere live music festivals in all the land,” said Price. “When the festival called and asked me to help curate a brand new Comedy stage, I immediately said, ‘yes–as long as I get to be Janelle Monae’s hype man and bestfriend/husband.’” Turning sincere, Price added that it was “difficult to choose just four comics,” but he “can’t think of four better people to slang jokes with on a Memorial Day Weekend.”
The lineup for the third stage is both diverse and compelling; it will be sure to make for entertaining performances.
As of right now, the schedule is as follows, although artists are subject to change. On Saturday May 28, comedians Lamont Price, Ken Reid, Sean Sullivan, Orlando Baxter, and Kelly MacFarland will perform, along with musical guests Nemes and Lady Pills. Then, on Sunday May 29, the comedians will remain the same, but These Wild Plains and Black Beach will serve as musical entertainment.
Boston Calling has also released the lineup for its two main stages. The day by day schedule is as follows: on Friday May 27, Sia, Sufjan Stevens, and Lisa Hannigan and Aaron Dessner will perform; Saturday May 28 brings Robyn, ODESZA, Miike Snow, City and Coulour, Courtney Barnett, BØRNS,The Vaccines, Battles, Lizzo, and Palehound; finally, on Sunday May 29, there will be performances by Disclosure, Haim, Janelle Monáe, Elle King, The Front Bottoms, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires, Vince Staples, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Christine and the Queens, and Michael Christmas.
According to sophomore Clare Donohoe, who went to Boston Calling last summer, the concert was made unforgettable by the amount of talented musicians performing.
“Even the lesser known acts were amazing, and I was able to expand my musical horizon,” said Donohoe. “I really like Boston Calling and would like to go back in the future.”
Senior Alison Forman-Katz added that her only complaints, such as porta potties and expensive food, would be the same at any festival.
“Boston Calling has a perfect setup because you can see every set and don’t have to chose between musicians,” explained Forman-Katz. “It’s pretty affordable compared to other three-day festivals, and the music, people, and food work together to make it really welcoming.”
For sophomore Emma Richmond, the most exciting thing about last year’s the concert was “being with a bunch of people who enjoyed all kinds of music, not just fans of one specific group or person.”
She added that because there were two main stages, musical acts could play back to back–while one group was playing, the next could set up on the other stage.
This will be the fourth year of  Boston Calling. According to its press release, “with the city’s skyline as its backdrop, Boston Calling’s locale at City Hall Plaza continues to offer the ideal urban festival vibe.”
Boston Magazine agreed, writing, “In less than three years, Boston Calling has become not just the city’s biggest music festival, but one of Boston’s most iconic events. A three-day party in the heart of Government Center, it’s been a cross-genre, cross-generational success.”
The festival will take place May 27 through 29, and tickets can be bought online at www.bostoncalling.com.