WBRU's Guide to Boston Calling
Although Labor Day weekend has come to a close, September still has one more big weekend you can look forward to – Boston Calling. Taking place Sept. 25-27, this fall’s festival is bringing a ton of great acts to City Hall Plaza. Whether you’re an eager...
Irish singer and songwriter Hozier released his self-titled debut album last September. The album’s lead single, “Take Me to Church,” skyrocketed to fame, grabbing the top spot on WBRU’s Top 95.5 Songs of 2014 and a nomination for Song of the Year at the 2014 Grammy Awards. With his bluesy sound and intricate ballads, the two-time Newport Folk Festival performer is bound to have a great set at City Hall Plaza.
Alt-J also had a strong debut with their 2012 album An Awesome Wave. The English rock band is known for their experimental and entrancing sound, which blends together folk and electronic elements. With the success of their first album, alt-J faced high expectations for their sophomore record. They released This is All Yours last year and the album certainly met those expectations – featuring singles “Left Hand Free” and “Hunger of the Pine,” the record was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 2014 Grammy Awards.
Since the release of their first album Boys & Girls in 2012, Alabama Shakes have earned multiple Grammy nominations and critical acclaim for their soulful and powerful music. With the stage presence of lead vocalist Brittany Howard and timeless tracks like “Don’t Wanna Fight,” Alabama Shakes’ live shows have garnered the same high level of praise as their albums. Earlier this year, they performed on Saturday Night Live and drew a huge crowd at Lollapalooza.
We also caught up with Walk the Moon at this summer’s Lollapalooza. With the massive success of “Shut Up and Dance,” the Ohio-based quartet has had a huge year, which includes performances on TODAY and the pre-show for the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. Based on their lively show at Lupo’s in April and great energy at our Shut Up and Dodge event, Walk the Moon will definitely create an animated atmosphere in Boston.
We last saw Of Monsters and Men at their incredible Lupo’s show in May. Since then, the Icelandic band released their second album, Beneath the Skin, which includes the single “Crystals.” The Icelandic folk band first gained attention in 2011 for “Little Talks,” which is 4x Platinum in the United States. Of Monsters and Men are experienced festival performers, having played at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Coachella, Newport Folk Festival, Glastonbury, and Reading and Leeds in the past.
CHVRCHES are releasing their second album, Every Open Eye, the day before their Saturday set at Boston Calling. The long-awaited Every Open Eye follows the Scottish electronic band’s successful debut album The Bones of What You Believe. From Every Open Eye, CHVRCHES have already released “Never Ending Circles” and “Leave a Trace,” which has been featured on Smash or Trash.
Known as the frontman of Fun., Nate Ruess has embarked on a successful solo career. He released “Nothing Without Love” in February and recorded “What this World is Coming To” with Beck. He released Grand Romantic in June and will also perform in Providence at Lupo’s on Nov. 13.
You can also catch some of your favorite Exposure artists at Boston Calling. Electronic duo Chromeo, known for their dance-friendly tracks, performed at this year’s Governor’s Ball and even brought out Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig for a surprise performance. (Let’s all hope their Boston Calling set includes surprise guest appearances too.) California rock band FIDLAR just released their second album Too, which includes the single “40oz. On Repeat.” Singer-songwriters Twin Shadow, Father John Misty, and Ben Howard are all commanding a stage at City Hall Plaza as well.
Along with these great WBRU artists, you can find Misterwives, the Avett Brothers, Sturgill Simpson, Daughter, Steven Malkmus and the Jicks, Doomtree, Gregory Alan Isakov, Skylar Spence, Bully, Grey Season, and Dirty Bangs at this fall’s Boston Calling!
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