The Sun Shines Through: Boston Calling Closes Out the 2025 Weekend in Powerful Fashion

Article+Photo by Julian Dichiara ( @deechmedia)

Boston Calling wrapped up Memorial Day weekend with a stacked and genre-spanning Sunday lineup that brought together longtime favorites, rising stars, and artists with deep cultural impact. The final day featured performances from Sublime, Vampire Weekend, Public Enemy, and Remi Wolf, all leading into a powerful closing set from Dave Matthews Band. After a rain-soaked Friday, Sunday arrived without extreme heat or rain, but with thick clouds hanging overhead, setting a calm and reflective tone for the festival’s final day.





Sunday opened with a lighter, more relaxed atmosphere as fans made their way back onto the grounds, ready to soak in the last day of music. The day kicked off with one of the most impactful performances of the day coming from Remi Wolf. The California singer debuted in 2019, and has been rapidly gaining popularity across teenage audiences. Wolf’s vibrant pop sound and expressive stage presence brought a joyful and inclusive energy to the festival. Her and her musicians hopped around the stage with pride, sending a wave of good vibes across the festival grounds. Known for her unapologetic individuality and genre-blending style, Remi Wolf’s set resonated strongly with the LGBTQ community and allies alike. The performance felt colorful, empowering, and celebratory, making her set one of the most memorable of the weekend. 





In the afternoon, Sublime took the stage and immediately brought reggae-rock grooves that felt perfectly suited for the day. Led by Jakob Nowell, the son of original Sublime lead singer Bradley Nowell, the band’s performance had a deeper emotional layer. Jakob is a striking spitting image of his father, both in appearance and presence, and his connection to the band’s legacy was felt throughout the set. Between songs, he paused to address the crowd, speaking about perseverance and the importance of maintaining positivity even when life feels heavy. He reminded everyone that no matter how cloudy things may seem, the sun will always shine through. Moments later, as the band launched into the next song, the clouds parted and sunlight broke through over the crowd, creating a powerful and almost surreal moment that felt as though it had been summoned. The band played hits like Santeria and Doin’ Time, making for a legendary set for the Boston crowd.





Vampire Weekend followed with a high energy and engaging set that showcased their signature punk-indie-rock sound. Vampire Weekend are making their rounds this spring and summer, playing festivals all across America, and it makes sense. The band is popular, loveable, and looked-forward to for a reason. The group played older hits like A-Punk, and recent standouts like “Harmony Hall”. One prominent moment during their performance was the special guest appearance of their sound engineer, dressed in a construction vest. He took center stage to make an interesting but memorable dance performance, rapidly squirming his arms in the air to the band’s music. Ezra Koenig, the lead singer, had a sense of swagger that was unmatched compared to the weekend's other performers. His energy and presence speaks for why the band has stayed a fan favorite all these years.





As the sun set below the skyline, anticipation peaked for Boston Calling’s final headliner of the year. Dave Matthews Band closed out the weekend with an artistic and emotionally rich set that showcased both their deep catalog and their reputation as one of the most enduring live acts of the past three decades. Drawing from their early ’90s roots as a Charlottesville jam band, the group leaned into extended improvisation while still delivering crowd-pleasing staples. Songs like “Ants Marching” and “Crash Into Me” ignited massive sing-alongs, while tracks such as “Grey Street” and “So Much to Say” highlighted the band’s ability to balance introspection with elaborate musicianship. Like always, the band stretched songs well beyond their studio versions, allowing each member space to shine as the music flowed from the stage to the crowd. With its blend of nostalgia, musical exploration, and communal energy, Boston Calling’s third day felt like a fitting and memorable conclusion to a weekend that brought the city together through music.


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Boots, Rain, and Big Hits: The Country-Powered Start to Boston Calling 2025