Top Moments from Boston Calling Spring 2016
Janelle Monáe PHOTO BY OLGA KHVAN
Boston Calling put on quite the show during its final run at City Hall Plaza this weekend.
The festival, which is relocating to Allston next year, brought out all of the heavy hitters for its spring 2016 installment. Sia, Disclosure, Janelle Monáe, and host of other music superstars helped give Boston Calling a memorable goodbye to its first venue.
From Prince tributes to a Patriots surprise, check out the top moments from this year’s festival.
Janelle Monáe Paying Tribute to Prince
JANELLE MONÁE PHOTO BY OLGA KHVAN
Janelle Monáe paid tribute to a number of music legends during her Boston Calling set on Sunday.
The singer crooned like a young Michael Jackson while singing “I Want You Back” and got people grooving with “I Feel Good” by James Brown. However, the crowd really got going during Monáe’s tribute to the Purple One at the end of her set.
She sang Prince’s hit “Let’s Go Crazy” in honor of her late mentor.
Julian Edelman Yelling ‘Free Brady!’
Julian Edelman PHOTO BY OLGA KHVAN
Patriots star Julian Edelman surprised fans by grabbing the mic before Robyn’s headlining set on Saturday night.
The wide receiver wanted to make sure that everyone knew his thoughts about Tom Brady’s latest Deflategate woes, offering up two strong words in support of his quarterback: “Free Brady!”
Sia, Sia Wigs, and Kristen Wiig?
Sia Photo by Olga Khvan
As you can tell by the fans in Sia wigs at the festival, people were very excited to see the Australian singer kick things off on Friday night.
Sia turned in a masterful set as the weekend’s first headliner, but also caused some confusion with her performance.
Accompanying the live dancing on stage, giant screens showed music videos featuring a few famous faces in Sia wigs also dancing, including Kristen Wiig, leading some fans to believe that they actually saw the stars in the flesh.
KRISTEN WIIG WAS ON WITH @SIA OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD #BostonCalling
— diana (@santanahighpez) May 28, 2016
@Sia you bringing KRISTEN WIIG on stage to perform last night at Boston Calling made my entire LIFE. And those interludes… Wow. I love you
— Jessica (@BrunetteGaga) May 29, 2016
Not everyone fell for it, though.
Guys, you realize Kristen Wiig wasn't actually onstage with @Sia at @Boston_Calling, right? You know how video works? #BostonCalling
— Jared Shelby (@jaredshelby) May 28, 2016
New Music from HAIM
Este Haim PHOTO BY OLGA KHVAN
HAIM gave Boston Calling fans a taste of the group’s latest music on Sunday night.
The pop rock band played a brand new song for the crowd called “Give Me Just a Little of Your Love.”
@HAIMtheband preview a new song, “Give Me Just a Little of Your Love” @Boston_Calling #Haim #BostonCalling pic.twitter.com/qgieBxyemG
— Michael Hagerty (@michaelhhagerty) May 30, 2016
HAIM also showed off another new tune called “Nothing’s Wrong.”
@HAIMtheband preview another new song, “Nothing’s Wrong” @Boston_Calling #Haim #BostonCalling pic.twitter.com/py7yGbfrNq
— Michael Hagerty (@michaelhhagerty) May 30, 2016
As the night’s second Prince tribute, the band performed “I Would Die 4 U” to honor their late idol.
Charles Bradley’s Amazing Set
Charles Bradley PHOTO BY OLGA KHVAN
The biggest surprise hit of the weekend had to be funk soul crooner Charles Bradley.
The 67-year-old singer earned a lot of love from the audience with his powerful and energetic performance on Sunday. Between his multiple wardrobe changes, quick dancing feet, and booming voice, Bradley proved why he’s the “Screaming Eagle of Soul.”
