Boston Calling 2019: Schedule, How To Get There, What To Know

BOSTON — The city's largest music festival, Boston Calling, complete with music, dance, food and beer, is landing its 10th edition in Allston this weekend. Twenty One Pilots, Travis Scott and Tame Impala are headlining this weekend - and there are still tickets. If you've never gone or are wondering where it came from, pull up a chair.

Boston Calling had its first festival on City Hall plaza in 2013 with some 18 acts. By the end of this weekend more than double that will take the stage to perform, and that's not including the performances by comedians — everyone from Portlandia's Fred Armisen to local comedian Lamont Price — and the Boston Ballet dancers.

Back when Brian Appel was working for the Boston Phoenix and Mike Snow was doing marketing for WFNX radio, they explored the idea of bringing a music festival to Boston City Hall Plaza. When the idea got nixed shortly before the Phoenix folded, Appel said he couldn't shake the feeling that something great could happen here.

"It was a lot of pure determination," said Phoenix, the event's co-founder. He spent a year ironing out details and in communicating with Mayor Tom Menino's office. "There were a lot of sleepless nights," he said.

When the head of special events for the mayor's office called him and gave the green light, it was as if he'd won the lottery.

"I was like: 'here we go!'" Appel told Patch.

It took the team a couple weeks to come up with a name for the festival.

"We knew it had to have 'Boston' in the name," he said.

Still, there were long stretches in the early days when they weren't sure they would be able to pull it off. Appel attributes a lot of the festival's success to Snow's organization and ability to get the details right. Early on they enlisted the help of Crash Line productions, and while local acts are still a big part of the festival, it's certainly grown beyond that.

The biggest change since 2013? The move from City Hall Plaza, which only had two stage, over to Harvard’s Athletic Complex in 2017. They were able to add a stage outside, and have experimented with things like podcasts, comedy and, this year, ballet.

How to get there:

• Near the Red Line? Take the Red Line and get off at the Harvard Square stop. Find N. Harvard Street and walk over the bridge to the Allston side.
• If you're coming from Jamaica Plain? Take the 39 to the 66 and get off at North Harvard Street and Western Ave.
• If you're coming from Dorchester? Take the Red Line to Central, switch to the 66 or stay on til Harvard Square.
• Coming from Cleveland Circle? Take the 86
• Coming from Coolidge Corner? Take the 66.
• There will also be designated taxi and ride-share service drop off areas.
• Don't drive. It's not worth it: There is no parking.

Who's playing

The headliners include Twenty One Pilots, the musical duo from Columbus, Ohio. They've had three top hits and nine songs that made Billboard's hot 100. "Stressed Out" and "Heathens" both peaked at #2 on the charts.

Travis Scott may be most known for his No. 1 Billboard hit, "Sicko Mode" one of five top 10 hits. The rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer just also happens to be married to Kylie Jenner. Oh, and he performed during the Superbowl.

Then Australian artist Tame Impal's album "Currents" hit top 10 on Billboard and "Lonerism" also hit the top 100.

Odesza

Electronic music band from Washington featuring Catacombkid and BeachesBeaches formed in 2012. The band has a complete brass section, drum line, and singers including Naomi Wild and WYNNE.

When are they playing?

3 tips:

• Download the Boston Calling app, it will help
• Eat the grilled cheese. It's worth it.
• Check out the Ballet. It's new this year and dancers are only on stage for 15 minutes.

Where are the stages?

What's the weather going to be like?

As we all know, weather is changeable, but so far, so good. Aside from some morning showers Sunday morning, it looks like pretty perfect festival.

• Friday: Partly cloudy with a high near 70.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy with ah high of 67.
• Sunday: bring your umbrellas, there's a chance of morning showers, but it'll be warmer with a high in the mid 70s.
• Monday it's back to partly cloudy again with highs near 70.

Still need tickets?

• Boston Calling 2019: How to Get Tickets For 10th Annual Festival

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).