Boston Calling Music Festival 2023 Wrap-Up: Genesis Owusu, The Walkmen, Teddy Swims & More

By all accounts, this year’s festival was a complete success. It should not come as a surprise, though. It was the festival’s tenth go-around and the team behind the curtain proved once again that they know how to keep the ship sailing smooth and straight. The weather also cooperated and made for consistently pleasant temperatures, unlike last year when the skies darkened, thunder rumbled and forced the guests into any and all free space within Harvard University’s athletic complex and ultimately forcing the cancellations of a handful of performances.

This year, the only cancellation came from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs festival and before the news had been made public, the Dropkick Murphys filled the void and made the most of the situation all while making a lot of people very happy. Showcasing over fifty bands, across four stages, there was something for everyone – even outside the big names like the Foo Fighters, the Lumineers, Paramore, Alanis Morrissette, Queens of the Stone Age and the Flaming Lips.

Glide was there from start to finish. Below is our list of the lesser-known artists and their performances that made quite an impression. We’ll be keeping our eyes on them and think you should too.

Celisse

Originally from Oakland, California, the R&B soulstress returned to Boston Calling once again and slayed with her personality, angelic voice, and killer guitar chops. Loud and proud, Celisse is captivating for all the right reasons. Highlights from her set included, “Get There”, “Stuck On You Blues” and “Crazy”.

Teddy Swims

With his video of covering Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One”, Teddy went viral, leading to a record deal for good reason, his voice is absolutely mesmerizing. Effortlessly crisscrossing genres with his music, mixed with a fun-loving stage presence, Swims had his audience in the palm of his hand as he swaggered across the stage in his camouflage get-up and chugging light beer. Highlights of his set included, “911”, “Devil in a Dress” and “Bed on Fire”.

Declan McKenna

The English singer-songwriter burst onto the stage and riled up the crowd with an upbeat and raucous set. Clearly not lacking in confidence, the young music sensation sang and danced with reckless abandon while strumming his guitar – commanding attention from his sea of fans in front of him and his band. Together, McKenna and Company barreled through their electric set. Highlights of his set included, “British Bombs”, “Twice Your Size” and the controversial “Brazil”.

The Walkmen

Led by the enigmatic Hamilton Leithauser, the reunited Walkmen brought the piss and vinegar to Boston Calling with their post-punk revival fueled performance. The quintet’s tunes ebbed and flowed with intensity. If you like U2, the Cure or the Strokes, it’d be worth your while to check these guys out – especially if they play a gig in your area. Highlights of their set included: “The Rat”, “Heaven” and “We’ve Been Had”.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

This Australian band may be hard to file under a single category. From their set alone, the eclectic sounds have its hands in psychedelic, garage, progressive and even heaven metal. Regardless, their sound was full and fun. The band is also tight, even while jumping from one tempo or groove to another. Though mostly silhouetted by their trippy visuals and lighting, it was easy to see that the band was focused yet having a grand old time – right in step with their fans who lapped up the extraordinary performance. Highlights from their set included “Iron Lung”, “Converge” and “Gila Monster” which was interrupted by a PSA made in an effort to locate a missing festival guest. The band took it in stride and when given the green light, resumed “Gila” as if nothing had happened.

Genesis Owusu

This Ghanaian-Australian artist had the most captivating performance of the weekend – hands down. Owusu, who is currently on tour with Sunday’s headliner Paramore, impressed those who smartly chose his act over Bleachers – who were across campus on another stage at the same exact time. From his entrance to the stage, while in the crowd and until he left the stage – Owusu and his gang of masked dancers held the audience’s attention with a theatrical and hypnotic performance. He is a must-see artist.

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