If you follow me on Instagram, you know that over the long weekend, I went to Boston Calling. Boston Calling is a music festival that takes place a couple times a year in Boston. Typically, there’s a concert in the fall, and then a concert in late spring. In the past, Boston Calling has always been located in Government Center in downtown Boston. This year was the first time that they had it at Harvard Stadium in Allston. While I never attended up until this year, everyone I’ve talked to told me what an upgrade it was having it at Harvard Stadium this year. This year, there were three stages (spaced out) and a comedy theater.
As soon as Geoff and I heard the line up (I mean, Chance the Rapper, Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, Major Lazer… need I say more) we knew that we NEEDED to go…. but if you guys are anything like me, then you procrastinate everything. Months and months went by and we still hadn’t purchased tickets. Literally the day before I was about to purchase tickets, Chase reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to attend Boston Calling on behalf of their team. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for something. It really was the most incredible weekend, and I’m so thankful to have gotten the chance to attend. I thought I would do a round up on what I wore and a few tips I have after attending!
The Chase Sapphire box at Boston Calling
The green stage from the VIP bar & dining area
What I Wore:
I wanted to go full out festival-wear, but it was a pretty cold weekend, so that wasn’t exactly possible. I wasn’t sure how I could possibly make it work for cold weather, so to the mall I went (after work the day before the concert. Last minute always seems to be my style). For the most part, I knew what I was looking for, but I sometimes find inspiration based on what I’m seeing around me. I was looking for high-waisted jeans and bodysuits. And guess what I found? High-waisted jeans and a one-piece bathing suit that I played off as a bodysuit.
Stores like Urban Outfitters and Zara are two of my favorite stores for when you’re looking for trendy, festival style pieces of clothing. I found these jeans at Urban Outfitters that I’m now obsessed with (size down one size in them). So obsessed that I wore them all three days with no shame… But seriously, they are so flattering and fit really, really well. If you’re like me and have thighs (thanks cheerleading) and a bit of a butt then you know how hard it can be to find jeans that fit well on the waist where you’re a bit tinier, while also fitting well on your thighs. These jeans are the real deal, and I’m going to buy more pairs in the same brand and I’ll let you guys know how the other styles stack up (I have my eyes on this pair next). I also found this bathing suit at Zara that is super flattering and doesn’t look like typical bathing suit material in person. It’s not shiny which made me happy because I didn’t want it to look like I was wearing a bathing suit. No one suspected a thing so I call it a win! I got the size medium (I’m a size 4-6) and it fit perfectly. Note: if you want it as a bathing suit it was pretty cheeky in the back (at least for me). I also found these off the shoulder tops at Zara that were $10 each. I’m wearing a size medium in both. I then wore sweaters that I already had and draped them off the shoulders a bit so that you could still see the tops. I’ve had these slip on sneakers from Old Navy for years and I got them for only $10. Also, if you like wearing slip on sneakers all the time like me but your feet are always cold, my boyfriend (the sneaker head) introduced me to these socks and they’re such a game changer. They don’t show when wearing slip on sneakers, your feet won’t get cold, and your shoes won’t smell!
What I wore on Day 1
Sunglasses | Jeans (size down 1 size) | Bodysuit | White Off the Shoulder Top | Striped Off the Shoulder Top |
The Music
The music was honestly amazing. Of course I had my favorites that I wanted to see: Chance the Rapper, Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver, Major Lazer, and Migos (filled in last minute after Solange dropped out). None of them disappointed. One reason that I love concerts and music festivals is that it makes you listen to music you wouldn’t normally listen to. I’m a huge fan of live music; there’s just something about it, and getting to enjoy it with thousands of other people around you just makes you feel like you’re having a moment together. Corny? Ok, yes lol, but really, it’s one of my favorite things. While all of the artists were amazing, I was most surprised about how freaking amazing Major Lazer was. I’ve never been a house music/ electronic music kind of girl, and in the past I’ve always wondered why and how people pay money to “just watch someone on stage hit play on a computer.” Okay, I’ll be honest, it was really amazing, and I’m now a believer. I convinced Geoff to get up close to the stage with me for it (he hates crowds haha) and it was awesome. I literally felt like I was in college again haha. The energy is hard to explain unless you were there, but it was seriously amazing.
Also, I have to share this because it was just the coolest thing ever. Wednesday night, we were enjoying some of the shows from the Chase box. Geoff went downstairs to the VIP Platinum area to get food and to get a drink. When he was walking back, he noticed and walked right by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Justin was sitting with a couple friends and mingled with few people, but overall was seeming to have a relaxing night enjoying some of the shows. Anyways, as we were leaving, I turned to Geoff and I said, “wait, is that him?” He was still sitting at the same table and chair in the VIP Platinum area. We were going to keep walking, but figured we would never get this opportunity again. We walked up to him and introduced ourselves and told him what a great show he had the night before. He’s truly the most down to earth person and seems like a regular guy (who happens to be super talented at music).
In the crowd at Major Lazer!
Tips for Attending Boston Calling
Wear sneakers!
While a lot of Boston Calling is on turf (it prevents there from being a ton of mud), there are still areas where it’s real grass. Add thousands of people walking over grass plus rain in the days before Boston Calling, and it equaled a whole lot of mud. A lot of the time, I hate wearing sneakers when I’m trying to dress cute, however, slip on sneakers are a total game changer. They’re comfortable, keep your feet clean and warm, and still look good with whatever you decide to wear. I love the ones that Old Navy carries.
Don’t take a purse in
I took in my bucket bag all three days of the festival, and to be honest, I didn’t need it. You will be fine with a small clutch that you can put around your wrist, plus you can’t take large bags or backpacks in anyway. If you plan on dancing, you’re not going to want to have a purse dragging you down.
Do yourself a favor and don’t wear white
Oh my gosh you guys, I know this was Memorial Day weekend, and I’m totally a believer in wearing white all year round, but there were people who were straight up filthy. I saw girls wearing white leggings that had mud all over themselves. Add drinks to the mix and you’re bound to make a mess of yourself. If you’re dead set on wearing white, aim for a white top like I did, and not white jeans that will get messy.
Plan on having no cell service
I’m one of those people who likes to pretend they can survive without a cell phone and social media, but is actually full out addicted. Don’t get your hopes up on being able to message your friends to meet up, because there was zero cell service. There was a wireless hot spot available somewhere on the grounds, but you’re better off having a good time and forgetting about being on your phone. I took videos and uploaded them later. You can also take Snapchat videos and post them to your story; they won’t go through, but when you do get cell service back, you can refresh them and they will upload. I also use this trick if I want to get a video when I’m on an airplane and don’t have wifi.
The view of the Xfinity red stage from the Chase box
The VIP Platinum dining area
complete with a ferris wheel this year!
[line]
Note: I received complimentary Boston Calling tickets via Chase, however, as always, all opinions are my own.
[line]
I wish I knew about Boston Calling. I went to Boston over the long weekend. It looks like the festival was amazing. I’d love to see Bon Iver in concert. I definitely need to go to Boston Calling sometime.
http://goldclutter.com
It was such a good time. You would have loved it. Hope you had a great time in Boston! xo
I have never heard of this concert festival but I would love to go next year!
It’s so much fun!!!! And the new venue is awesome. You would love it.