Day two of Boston Calling is in the books, and it did not disappoint as it seems as though each day
and its lineup gets better and better. Mother Nature also took pity on the festival as
Saturday’s weather briefly offered up a hot morning without a cloud in the sky, which quickly
turned into an afternoon with pleasant cloud coverage to help all survive the heat without having
to run for cover. As one looked around, there was a bevy of guests dressed in cowboy hats and
boots, all for a good reason, as the bill offered up a handful of country music artists like headliners
Tyler Childers, Tanner Usrey, Jessie Murph, the Castellows, and local sensation Ward Hayden
and the Outliers – all of which put their own spin on the genre.
Though the day was chock full of talent, it was clear that headliner Tyler Childers, the Kentucky
singer-songwriter, was the main draw. He captivated the audience with his storytelling, lyrics, and
twangy voice, creating an intimate atmosphere despite the massive crowd. From foot-stomping
anthems to introspective ballads, Childers delivered a set that solidified his status as a country
music powerhouse. Fans lapped up favorites that included “Feathered Indians”, “All Your’n”
and “Lady May”.
Trey Anastasio jammed his set full of Phish tunes and solo jams to please his faithful following.
Playing with Classic TAB, Trey kept the music tight and made sure no stone was unturned. The
band rolled through their nine-song set with what looked like pure joy and genuine enthusiasm.
The audience was treated to plenty of well-known and well-loved nuggets that included the set
opener “Sand”, “A Wave of Hope” and “First Tube”. By the looks of both Trey’s and his fans’
faces, it was hard to tell who was having more fun. Regardless, everyone was happy.
Jessie Murph, the 19-year-old country music starling who quickly rose to fame after being
recognized on Tik Tok and YouTube, brought a pop-oriented flare to her set with “Wild Ones”,
“Texas” and “Cowboys and Angels”. Collaborating with artists like Jelly Roll, Maren Morris and
Diplo, she will certainly be one to watch.
Adding to the country flair, local artist Ward Hayden and the Outliers tore up the local stage with
a high-energy set in support of their new record, ‘South Shore’. Pummeled by direct sunlight,
Hayden and his band took no prisoners and crushed their set to an intimate crowd, delivering a
performance worthy of an arena date.
Khruangbin’s mesmerizing blend of psychedelic rock and Thai funk had the crowd entranced.
The band, who spared no expense to bring an elaborate set on stage, treated their fans to an
eclectic performance that included “Fifteen Fifty-Three”, “Pon Pon,” and “People Everywhere”.
Bassist Laura Lee and guitarist Mark Speer slowly meandered like ninjas across the stage all
while methodically playing their respective instruments. Drummer DJ Johnson masterfully kept
the beat through the band’s trippy set.
Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls delivered their signature brand of raucous singalongs and
raucous rockers back to Boston as a festival Veteran. Turner and Co. wasted no time bursting on
to the stage and tearing through a highly energetic set that included “Do One”, “Letters,” and his
latest single, “Girl from the Record Shop”. Turner’s high-octane delivery and frenetic energy made for a memorable performance once again. Turner, like others on the bill, used their time on stage to showcase their best tunes and to share a unique experience with his fans in Boston.
With a more extensive bill than Friday’s event, Saturday’s also included notable performances by
the up-and-coming Tanner Usrey, d4vd, and Bad Rabbits. Now, with just one more day left,
Sunday’s lineup looks to be one of the best of the weekend. Hopefully, Mother Nature will
continue to cooperate, and when all is said and done, this latest installment of the festival will be
remembered for years to come.
