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There are four performance areas at Boston Calling, with the Orange Stage serving as a showcase of local talent. Highlights from day one include Boston’s own Divine Sweater, who kick things off at 1:45 p.m. Friday on the Red Stage. Later in the day, “I Hate Boston” singer and “Mean Girls” star Reneé Rapp takes over the Green Stage at 5:55 p.m., followed by local rapper kei on the Orange Stage at 7 p.m., singer-songwriter Leon Bridges on the Red Stage at 7:05 p.m., and rockers Young the Giant on the Blue Stage at 7:40 p.m. Friday’s headliner is English crooner Ed Sheeran, who performs on the Green Stage at 8:40 p.m.
Day two of Boston Calling commences with Lowell artist Brittany Tsewole’s Senseless Optimism at 1:45 p.m. on the Red Stage. Meanwhile, Boston band Bad Rabbits, who opened the first Boston Calling back in 2013, make their grand return to the festival with a performance on the Red Stage at 3 p.m.
Other highlights from Saturday include Roxbury rapper Cakeswagg on the Orange Stage at 4:05 p.m., English singer-songwriter Frank Turner and his band the Sleeping Souls on the Red Stage at 4:55 p.m., followed by Phish frontman Trey Anastasio and his band Classic TAB on the Red Stage at 7:15 p.m. Country fans are in for a treat on Saturday night, as Grammy-nominated “Whitehouse Road” singer Tyler Childers headlines day two with a performance on the Green Stage at 9 p.m.

Boston Calling 2024 wraps up on Sunday with a slew of performances. Indie alt-rocker Stefan Thev kicks things off at 1:40 pm. on the Red Stage. Later in the afternoon, pop sensation Chappell Roan takes over the Green Stage at 4:05 p.m.
Additional highlights from day three include rockers the Revivalists on the Red Stage at 5:15 p.m., rapper Megan Thee Stallion on the Green Stage at 6:25 p.m., and Irish singer Hozier on the Red Stage at 7:35 p.m. This year’s fest ends with a performance by rock band the Killers, who headline the Green Stage on Sunday with a performance at 9:10 p.m.

Yes! Tickets to Boston Calling 2024 are still available at bostoncalling.com/tickets. One-day general admission tickets are $196, while three-day general admission passes are $392. Single day and three-day GA+, VIP, and platinum tickets are also available. Attendees who already purchased their tickets in advance should have received their wristbands in the mail. Guests who didn’t receive one in the mail can also head to the box office onsite to pick up replacement wristbands.
The food and drink lineup at Boston Calling will feature a few newcomers, plus plenty of familiar returning vendors. Stillwater chef and “Chopped” champion Sarah Wade brings a mac and cheese feast to the fest with The MacBar. Fellow festival newbie Ricen will have an offering of Thai dishes on hand, while Shaking Crab will have Cajun- and New England-inspired seafood fare. All three vendors will be available at the DoorDash Food Village, which also includes bites by Blackbird Doughnuts and Sally’s Sandwiches, Dumpling Daughter, El Jefe’s Taqueria, Flour, and Lily P’s Fried Chicken.
Additional returning vendors that can be found in the festival’s main field area include Chicken & Rice Guys, Jaju Pierogi, Naco Taco, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, The Smoke Shop BBQ, Tasty Burger, and more. For guests looking for vegetarian and vegan options, try a bite at spots like The Chubby Chickpea, Zinneken’s, Love Art Sushi, Moyzilla, Ricebur, Flatbread Company, and FoMu.
As for adult beverages, guests 21 and over can enjoy libations from Samuel Adams, Miller Lite, Heineken, Truly, Josh Cellars, and more. GA+, VIP, and platinum ticket holders will also have access to exclusive bar areas with a special lineup of craft cocktails.
Boston Calling platinum ticket holders will also receive gourmet food experiences each day of the festival, kicking off on Friday with bites by James Beard Award-winning chef Ken Oringer of Uni, Toro, Coppa, and most recently, Faccia a Faccia. On Saturday, Will Gilson of Puritan & Co. takes the helm, while Sunday features bites by Joanne Chang, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind Myers + Chang and Flour.

The festival has a full bag policy, meaning all bags will be searched before entry. Fans are allowed to bring small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6 X 9 inches or smaller, don’t have to be transparent, and can have more than one pocket. However, all other bags that are larger than 6 X 9 inches must not exceed 12 X 6 X 12 inches and must be transparent.
Attendees are also allowed to bring hydration packs that don’t need to be clear, but cannot have more than two total pockets, plus must be emptied of all liquids prior to entry. Reusable bottles are permitted as well, but must be emptied before entering the festival. Water stations will be available onsite to refill bottles and hydration packs.
Additionally, guests are allowed to bring personal-sized hand sanitizer, non-aerosol containers of sunscreen that are 3.4 ounces or less, and cameras, although detachable lenses and accessories like tripods, GoPro mounts, selfie sticks, and similar items won’t be allowed.
For guests who need to bring their prescription medication with them to the festival, they must show the medical staff at the entrance gates the pharmacy-labeled container that includes the patient name, dosage, and other information. Visitors will only be allowed to bring with them enough of the prescribed medication for that day only. Over-the-counter medication must be checked out by the medical staff at the entrances as well.
Additional prohibited items at Boston Calling include coolers; weapons, fireworks, and explosives of any kind; professional video, camera, and audio recording equipment; drones; hammocks; baby strollers; Frisbees; chairs; binoculars; blankets, sheets, and towels; inflatables; umbrellas; spiked jewelry and large chains; glass containers; carts; tents or any shaded structures; and illegal or illicit substances.
Outside food and beverages are also prohibited, as are pets (except for service animals), plus personal transportation items like skateboards, scooters, and bicycles. Free bicycle parking will be available near the entrance.
Boston Calling is also a completely cashless festival, so leave the Benjamins at home. Guests are encouraged to register their wristbands online to sync a payment method, enabling them to pay with just a tap of the wrist. Lockers with charging stations will be available to rent out as well throughout the weekend.
Another belonging you should leave at home: your car. There will be no parking available onsite or on the street in the surrounding area (expect strict ticketing and towing of vehicles that weekend).
Instead, attendees are encouraged to walk or take the T, with the Red Line station at Harvard Square located just a short walk from the festival’s main entrance at 65 N. Harvard St. at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston. Festival-goers can also take the bus, with both the 66 and 86 routes stopping at Harvard Stadium. Commuter rail riders can take the Worcester line to the Boston Landing Station, located a little more than a mile from the venue.
Fans opting to use a rideshare app can get dropped off near the main entrance at Harvard Stadium, with gates opening at 1 p.m. each day. However, at the end of each night, attendees using a rideshare app to get home should follow signs to the designated rideshare pickup lot.

Music lovers of all ages are welcome at Boston Calling, and children under 10 can even attend for free without a wristband. When you and the little ones are tuckered out from dancing, relax with a ride on the Ferris wheel located near the Blue Stage for epic views of the festival. Proceeds from the Ferris wheel rides will also go to benefit Music Drives Us, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting school music programs.
Boston is due for a bit of summer-like heat this week according to the Globe’s Dave Epstein, before a cold front moves in bringing “a few showers and even the rumble of thunder.” Luckily, it sounds like “it should be a fairly nice weekend” as the festival kicks off, with temperatures expected to “be more typical for this time of year.” We’ll keep you updated on the weekend’s weather as new forecasts come in.
It’s always great to score free swag or other freebies at festivals, and there’ll be plenty to check out at Boston Calling this year. Head to the House of Dunkin’ for free iced coffee, munchkins, plus additional activities and giveaways. Meanwhile, fans who have the Jersey Mike’s app on their phone can enter the Sub Above Club area, featuring free subs and a performance by a surprise guest.
Attendees who are 21 and older can check out the Miller Lite area at the festival’s Bar 75, featuring complimentary WiFi and charging stations, plus games like cornhole, pop-a-shot, and more. Additionally, the canned water company Liquid Death has a club set up where guests are invited to try a complimentary beverage, get airbrushed tattoos, and have their horoscopes read.

On Friday night, Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls will play an after party show at Big Night Live beginning at 10 p.m.
Safety: Boston Calling has a zero-tolerance policy against harassment. According to the festival’s website, organizers “will not tolerate any harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, body size, appearance, age or national origin.” Should a festival-goer feel threatened, harassed, or unsafe in any way, they are asked to report the incident immediately to the closest staff member.
Accessibility: The festival will have an ADA accessibility center onsite, located to the right of the welcome arches. Staff members there can help answer questions as well as request wristbands that allow entry to the accessibility viewing areas or the deaf/hard of hearing areas. The accessibility center can also provide outlets to recharge mobility devices, as well as assisted listening devices for those who need them. Guests with disabilities can also enter the festival via designated lanes. Festival-goers can request ASL interpreters for specific performances by e-mailing ada@bostoncalling.com. Visit bostoncalling.com for more information.
Matt Juul can be reached at matthew.juul@globe.com.
“I know we’re used to rushing, but this is a mind game. So we want to slow down and think,” Shaheed said. “Don’t move off of impulse.”
It’s a message that extends far beyond the chess board.
Organizers of Boston’s new Chess for Peace program are using one of history’s oldest board games to teach kids important life skills, including strategic thinking and conflict resolution. Their goals are to reduce youth violence and address the negative impacts of technology.
The program offers free chess classes Sunday afternoons in the basement of the Madison Park High School gym in Roxbury. It’s affiliated with a Boston Public Schools initiative that also includes basketball, boxing, yoga, rugby, and more, an effort to support families and keep students engaged throughout the week.
The 6-WON-7 program, which has grown significantly over the past couple years, is about to mark its 100th Sunday, said Cory McCarthy, director of student support at Boston Public Schools. School administrators launched the program partly in response to reports about unruly teenagers causing chaos at the South Bay shopping center and elsewhere on weekends, McCarthy said.
“School should feel like a community,” he said. “It’s the forgotten piece in the academic journey. It’s a safety issue. It’s violence prevention, it’s youth development, it’s all part of student wellness.”
While violent crime has decreased overall, youth violence remains a concern in Boston, largely concentrated among small groups of teenagers and sometimes fueled by gang affiliations. Social media often plays a role, experts say, with kids posting threats or bragging about crimes they’ve committed.
As technology shortens our attention spans, encourages rash decision-making and limits in-person interactions, playing chess can be a robust kind of antidote, said Renee Callender, a retired Boston police detective who spearheaded the program.
“It’s more than just a game. It actually mirrors life,” she said. “In the game of chess, like life, every action comes with consequences.”
During more than three decades on the police force, Callender saw firsthand how cycles of violence start and end. She also founded a nonprofit called Promoting Conflict Resolution, Inc.

She said the idea for the program came from watching a youth chess tournament on TV; she was impressed by how poised and attentive the players looked. Maybe this could help kids in Boston stay out of trouble, she thought.
“It’s not only about how to play but how to lose,” she said. “How to gracefully lose. How to be humble.”
Indeed, it’s all fun and games until your king is in check.
Jacquami eventually lost to his opponent, 7-year-old Filip Rancic, who said his winning strategy involved steadily advancing his pieces toward the middle of the board.
“Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses. So that’s good for him,” said Filip’s dad, Milan Rancic.
“They need to learn to be patient enough to develop a strategy, and obviously avoid a tantrum when they lose — pretty much everything we want our kids to learn,” he added.
During the class, three sets of players sat across from each other at classroom desks, with Shaheed monitoring their games and offering instruction. Sometimes the clink of plastic chess pieces was the only sound in the room.
“I think I got checkmate,” exclaimed Henry Lee, 10, bouncing excitedly in his chair.
Shaheed inspected the board and confirmed — checkmate, indeed.
“Good game,” Lee said, reaching out to shake hands with his opponent, 11-year-old Jesus Beltran.
“Can you believe you just lost to a 10-year-old?” he asked, grinning.
Beltran laughed, rolled his eyes and started setting up the board again; he had won the previous match. In addition to chess, the boys play soccer together. They agreed their friendship can easily withstand some light-hearted competition.

A few turns into the next game, Lee made a move he instantly regretted.
“Can I have that turn back?” he asked Beltran, who smiled and shook his head no.
“So often, they’re focused on just one piece,” said Rhodes Pierre, another instructor with the program. “I tell them to examine the entire board.”
Pierre, who grew up in Mattapan, has experienced firsthand the impacts of violence. His older brother was shot and killed in 1994 near their childhood home, about two weeks after he inadvertently witnessed another daytime shooting nearby. The case was later linked to a neighborhood drug gang, according to news reports at the time.
Pierre said he started playing chess in college and quickly came to appreciate the life skills it teaches.
“Giving people another outlet to express themselves without having to revert to violence, that’s a good thing,” he said. “Making people sit down and think. It’s a better avenue than what we have right now.”

While sprinkling in the basics of chess strategy, Shaheed sends a similar message.
“It’s about seeing the moves behind the moves,” he told the class. “It takes paying attention, hearing your own self think. Most games are won or lost because of focus.”
It’s something he personally learned the hard way, Shaheed said.
Now 45, he spent much of his youth caught in a cycle of poverty, crime, incarceration, and mental illness. From foster care and psychiatric institutions to jails and prison, he ended up playing a lot of chess.
The game took on a central role in his life, an overarching metaphor that changed the way he approached decision-making, Shaheed said. Especially when he found himself in a hostile environment, he would think about the moves available to him and their potential consequences. That finally helped him leave the streets behind and forge a new path.
“The easy money, it wasn’t working. It was almost like a setup — nothing made sense anymore,” he said. “I needed a better move.”

He still plays chess regularly with various partners he’s befriended around Boston. He said he hopes younger generations will find some of the same benefits he’s experienced.
“Chess is a game of distress, tribulations, defeat, obstacles, resistance, competition, sorrow, and conquest,” Shaheed wrote in his recently published book, “Games Over: The Real Story About Chess and Life.”
“And that’s what life is all about — overcoming barriers and making progress.”
Lea Skene can be reached at lea.skene@globe.com. Follow her on X @lea_skene.
Boston Marathon
In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.
Name: Brian Wishart
Age: 42
City/State: Marblehead, Mass.
I am running as the Chief of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine division at Spaulding Rehab to help support the hospital and adaptive sports programs.
At Spaulding Rehabilitation, we have a full team that is really incredible at what they do. Each staff member, from the physicians, therapists, nurses, case managers, social workers, to the front desk and care assistants, are incredible.
We work everyday in inpatient, in the clinic, in the therapy gym, and doing research to bring these types of outcomes to all our patients. Though we see wonderful outcomes, there is always work to be done.
One of our goals is to really integrate the amazing research being done at Spaulding into clinical care.
Every kid should have access to the best, most cutting edge treatments, and we aim to do that here, regardless of where the kids come from or what resources they have themselves.
We also want to make sure we are thinking about some of those less flashy innovations in terms of how we are educating or empowering our patients, or how we are supporting and helping them cope with a new reality.
Pediatric care is resource intensive, from needing a lot of expertise to just needing multiple sizes of each piece of equipment.
I am working to raise funds and support to really think broadly and expansively about what we are doing and how we provide care everyday for every patient.
That may mean bringing meaningful research to the clinical setting or ensuring there are enough child life specialists available with the resources they need to make these children comfortable in the hospital.
It is a privilege what I get to do every day and I thank you all sincerely for any support!
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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The Boston Terriers men’s basketball team advanced to the Patriot League finals on Sunday with a nail-biting victory over the Navy Midshipmen, 73-72.
And it couldn’t have come closer than what took place at the end of the second half.
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Boston University Terriers guard Michael McNair (20) drives to the basket against Northwestern Wildcats forward Arrinten Page (22) during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Nov. 7, 2025. (David Banks/Imagn Images)
Chance Gladden #2 of the Boston University Terriers is defended by Ben Eisendrath #5 of the Harvard Crimson during the 2025 college Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase game between Harvard Crimson and Boston University Terriers on Nov. 22, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Terriers came into the game as the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. The Midshipmen had the best record in the conference and were the No. 1 seed. The game was tied at 70 apiece with Navy inbounding the ball from the other side of the court with about 8.4 seconds left in the game.
Navy’s Austin Benigni received the pass and took the ball coast-to-coast for the go-ahead layup.
Boston’s Chance Gladden received the ball quickly in a last-ditch effort to try to put the Terriers back up. He dribbled up the court, went behind his back as he crossed mid-court and threw up a prayer from well beyond the 3-point line. It went in.
Navy Midshipmen’s mascot, Bill the Goat, in the stand during the Army/Navy basketball game on Feb. 21, 2026, at Christl Arena in West Point, New York. (David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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The Terriers improved to 17-16 on the season and still have hopes that they could punch their ticket to the dance with a win in the Patriot League Championship. Navy, with a record of 26-7, may be on the outside looking into the NCAA Tournament this season.
Gladden finished with 26 points on 8-of-12 from the field. He made three 3-pointers and had four assists to his credit. Michael McNair added 22 points.
Navy’s Aidan Kehoe had 26 points, 12 rebounds and five steals in the loss. Benigni added 17 points.
A detailed view of the Patriot League conference logo shown on the floor before a college basketball game between the American Eagles and the Navy Midshipmen at Bender Arena on Jan. 12, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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Boston will play Lehigh in the Patriot League Championship on Wednesday.
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