Boston Calling 2019: Day 1 What It Looked Like Out There

BOSTON — At 2:30 p.m. those who had been waiting at the gate to the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston snapped to attention, adjusted their fanny packs and made their way through security to walk onto the green where a football field of food, beverages and the Boston Calling bulldog awaited. Minutes later musicians took to the stage and festival go-ers and staff were bobbing their heads.

Around the festival:

Jefferson Lang, Samantha Young and Elena Caraballo came up from Connecticut for their first Boston Calling.

They used to go to another festival closer to home, but the lineup was just better at Boston Calling they said.

One thing they are trying to do here? Not use their cell phones so much.

"When we were young we tried for that perfect photo all the time, and suddenly the concert would be over and we'd be like where'd the show go?," said Young.

"At least now we get to watch a show and be in the moment," said Caraballo.

Lee Glikenhaus, Scott McInturff and Morris Effron were at the gate at 2:30 p.m. Friday and had no trouble getting into the festival. This isn't their first rodeo. The group of friends have experienced Boston Calling before. And they are music lovers with eclectic taste, they agree.

"I describe this as Boston's Austin City Limits," said McInturff.

"This event has a fabulous lineup," said Effron who added he was looking forward to Tank and The Bangas and Adia Victoria.

McInturff was looking forward to Twenty One Pilots. "They headlined in Austin and were amazing," he said.

The three come for the music and the friendship, they said.

Jessica Acosta of Allston, and Benielle Sims, of Cambridge, have been coming to Boston Calling since it started. It's a tradition, they say.

"Boston never had a festival, so when, 10 years ago, this came, we were like: Let's do it," said Jessica Acosta, who worked in media and wanted at that time to support her friends who were in it and putting it together.

What's changed in the 10 years?

"It grew up," said Benielle Sims. "Going from two to three stages and a Ferris wheel and so many food options. It feels like a full festival experience now."

Acosta agreed.

"There's just so much more. It's really grown up. It was a toddler at City Hall Plaza and then it was a middle-schooler and now it's on its way into high school," said Acosta.

Freebies:

There's a plethora of businesses offering lawn games - from Bulleit Bourbon offering games of corn hole, to bubbles:

And taste tests of beverages:

Angry Orchard

Honest Tea

Kevita

Overheard at Boston Calling Day 1

After getting through the security line here are some snipits of conversation this reporter overheard, with absolutely no context.

• "Yeah, he was. But when I saw his face he looked like he was 30."
• "This was a cool idea, though, to put it here."
• "I was standing in line once, and I was talking to a lady, and I guess I flashed her - or something - and I got a talking to."
• "Eric is at the Delta stage."

More coverage of the largest music festival in New England

• Boston Calling 2019: Lineup, Tickets For 10th Annual Festival
• Boston Calling: Everything You Need To Know
• Police Will Give Tickets For Smoking Marijuana At Boston Calling This Year
• Boston Calling 2019: Local Artist Roundup

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).