Boston Calling 2018: Schedule, Performers, More

BOSTON, MA - With Memorial Day weekend upon us, Boston can look forward to the area's biggest music festival of the year: The 2018 Boston Calling Music Festival is set to rock the Harvard University Athletics Complex. Unlike past years, the first band performs at 2:35 p.m. Friday, with Saturday starting at 12:30 p.m., and Sunday starting at 1 p.m.. To help you get ready for the show here is what you need to know:

PARKING/TRANSPORTATION
Parking will only be available for those who have it as part of their Platinum ticket. No other parking will be available. All vehicles parked in residential parking and in the neighborhood will be ticketed and towed. Those who drive are advised to reserve a spot in the Harvard Square lots. Reservations can be made at the Church Street lot and the Massachusetts Avenue lot.

Concert goers are strongly advised to use public transportation. The Harvard Red Line stop is about 10 minutes away from the festival. The 66 and 86 MBTA bus routes includes stops on North Harvard Street in front of Harvard Stadium.

Bike parking is free and racks will be available on site.

OPERATING HOURS

FRIDAY, May 25

• Box Office Opens: 12 p.m.
• Gates Open: 2:30 p.m.
• Music Ends: 11 p.m.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY, May 26 and 27

• Box Office Opens: 11 a.m.
• Gates Open: 12 p.m.
• Music Ends: 11 p.m.

Early wristband pickup will be available May 24 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Harvard Square Tasty Burger.

THE LINEUP

A mix of rock, rap, and dance music can be expected all weekend long. Rock mainstays The Killers closes a Friday which includes The National, Paramore, Portugal. The Man, and Pussy Riot. Saturday's card features Queens of the Stone Age, St. Vincent, Tyler, The Creator, and a closing set by Jack White. Sunday performances by Khalid, Alvvays, The Decembrists, Khalid, Fleet Foxes, and Eminem round out the weekend.

The Arena will feature the podcast Pod Save America and comedians including David Cross.

Below is the full schedule:

Due to illness, Stormzy will not perform Sunday. Cousin Stizz will instead perform during his time slot.

THE MAP

BANNED ITEMS

No one wants to be that person that has a bad time because of an avoidable mistake, here are some items you should leave behind:

• Tobacco products
• Vape Pens
• Large bags/backpacks (bags can be no larger than 12" x 12")
• Weapons
• Cameras with detachable lenses
• Illegal substances
• Squirt guns, misters, spray bottles, etc.
• Laser pens and similar focused-light devices
• Chairs / Strollers
• Cans, canteens, flasks (empty water bottles and a factory sealed bottle of water will be allowed)
• Pets
• Bicycles, scooters, personal motorized vehicles
• Musical instruments
• Sleeping bags (no overnight camping)
• Picnic blankets
• Umbrellas
• Any container of liquid other than one factory sealed bottle of water
• Totem poles or flag stick
• Walkie Talkies
• Fake IDs – they will be confiscated and your wristband will be cut without a refund

WEATHER REPORT

Here's what the National Weather Service says to expect as of Friday afternoon:

• Friday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
• Saturday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 87. West wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday Night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Sunday - Showers likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
• Sunday Night - A chance of showers. Patchy fog after 9 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 52. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Boston Calling is a rain or shine event. If the days of the event are canceled due to inclimate weather, ticket holders will be notified of the cancellation and refund policy.

Click here for more info on the weekend.

Image Credit: Dan Libon