As a huge music fan, concerts and festivals are a summer staple for me. This past summer I had the opportunity to see some of my favorite artists including Caamp, Hozier, and Mt Joy. Every single one of them was so much fun and I got to go to so many cool Boston venues. Here are my 2025 concert reviews and song recs from some of my favorite artists!
Boston Calling at the Harvard Athletic Complex
This year was my second time going to New England’s biggest music festival and it was a great time! While the music went on for three days, I only went Saturday. The lineup included Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Cage the Elephant, and The Black Crowes. My personal favorite performance was definitely Cage, who played some of their older classics as well as songs off their new album Neon Pill. That being said, Avril is an icon and she had such a fun set too! While I was nowhere near the front, I love festivals and highly recommend going because they’re just such a fun group experience. My biggest tip is to bring durable shoes (I wore hiking boots) because somehow it’s ALWAYS muddy.
My favorite Cage the Elephant songs: Trouble, Cigarette Daydreams, and Shake Me Down
CAAMP at MGM
Seeing Caamp live was for sure one of the highlights of my summer! They’re such a great blend of folk, indie, and rock and are amazing performers. It helps that MGM in Boston is an awesome venue and there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. Since I was on the floor, I got there a couple of hours early and was lucky enough to get barricade! Taylor Meier’s voice is even better in person and it was definitely worth the long wait in line!
My favorite Caamp songs: Lavender Girl, Misty, and Strawberries
Counting Crows at MGM
I was back at MGM again later that week to see Counting Crows, who I listened to a lot growing up. Adam Duritz (the lead singer) is genuinely one of the best songwriters and performers I’ve seen live and he had great rapport with the audience. I was on the floor again for this concert and it was such a blast! This was my second time seeing Counting Crows and I’d definitely see them again!
My favorite Counting Crows songs: Anna Begins, Rain King, and Mr. Jones
Hozier at Fenway Park
I saw Hozier a couple of years ago at a festival in Bridgeport, CT but seeing him at his own show was even better! Even though it was a sweltering July day (in the 90’s!) Fenway still brought the energy. Even though this show was part of his Unreal Unearth Tour for his latest album, Hozier still played plenty of his older hits. Even though my seat wasn’t super close, the energy in the stadium was so high that it felt like we were all closer! He closed the concert with fireworks in true Fenway tradition.
My favorite Hozier songs: Cherry Wine, Almost (Sweet Music), and Francesca
Mt. Joy at TD Garden
Seeing my favorite band at the Garden may have been my favorite concert of all time! For GA, TD Garden gives out first come first serve numbered wristbands from 8:00AM-1:00PM the day of the concert. Then, you can leave and come back much closer to when doors open and you can go right to that place in line. It was totally worth getting there at 11:00 because my wristband was within the first 50 and I was able to get barricade! Mt. Joy played two sets with an intermission and they were absolutely amazing. They’re all such great musicians so they would just jam and riff off each other in between songs. They even threw in a few classic covers like Teenage Dirtbag and Like a Prayer. I can’t wait to hopefully see them again someday!
My favorite Mt. Joy songs: God Loves Weirdos, Strangers, and Astrovan
2024 Shoutout: Jordy Searcy and Theo Kandel at The Middle East
Last year I got to see Jordy Searcy at The Middle East, which is a super small venue. It was one of the coolest concerts I’ve been to because not only did he give a great performance, but he also did an audience Q&A and stayed to take pictures after the show. Towards the end, he even came out to the audience to perform his last few songs. On top of that, I ended up LOVING Theo Kandel, the opener, even though I had never heard of him before. He has an amazing voice and is a really great songwriter. I highly recommend checking him out! This concert made me want to go to more small shows that might include artists I don’t know. It was a really great experience!
My favorite Jordy Searcy songs: Love & War in Your Twenties, Friendship?, and Molly
My favorite Theo Kandel songs: Flight to JFK, 1952 Vincent Black Lightning (it’s a cover but I LOVE his version), and On My Mind