Music festivals offer a great way to see your favorites and get introduced to new bands, musicians, and a variety of fans and locations, too.
Here’s a whirlwind look at the Massachusetts music festival scene for 2025 (we’ll add line-ups and more as information emerges):
February
Something in the Way (at Roadrunner in Boston)
This two-day indoor festival on Feb. 1 and 2 at the Roadrunner club in Boston features a mix of shoe-gaze (Slowdive), post-punk (Balance and Composure), indie (Soccer Mommy), and local (Women in Peril) talent.
The first and only other iteration of the festival was in 2016 at Webster Hall in NYC, with a pre-show at The Royale in Boston, per Jeff Casazza of Run For Cover Records. In fact, that first event consisted strictly of bands from that label.
“It felt really special to be able to pack a venue like Webster Hall with just our roster,” Casazza says. “Although it will go down as one of the most memorable nights in RFC’s history, the plan has always been to grow past that and offer a more dynamic, diverse lineup of artists. It’s pretty simply a larger mix of artists that we think are special and people should hear, who all compliment each other on the same lineup. A longtime Slowdive fan may not be familiar with Ovlov or They Are Gutting a Body of Water, so hopefully we can connect some dots for people who want to discover something new.”
A real twist at this venue will be a setup of two separate stages that will allow artists to perform without overlapping sets. A dozen performers are slated for each day.
“The second stage will be set up on the back of the floor where Front of House is usually located. We think this will be a really cool way to present these artists and hope to see you there!” says Josh Smith of The Bowery Presents.
General admission tickets go for $75 per day.
May
Boston Calling Music Festival at Harvard Athletic Complex
The annual 3-day festival set for May 23-26 (Memorial Day Weekend) this year features a little bit country, a little bit emo, a little bit stoner music. Headliners include Luke Combs, Megan Moroney (a rising country singer who has already sold out two shows at Roadrunner in August 2025), Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, the Dave Matthews Band, and Vampire Weekend. Lots of local acts are on the slate as well.
Organizers have announced that this year’s event will include lots of changes, including those focused on safety in light of attendee feedback from last year’s festival—the big green and red stages will be merged into a rotating stage, and more water stations will be made available. Boston Calling will add access to indoor programming to give attendees a break from whatever the weather brings (in the past, podcasters and comedians have performed indoors).
2024 show coverage: “Boston Calling Musical Festival ’24: A celebratory mix of pop, country, hip-hop, indie rock & you name it”
June
Green River Festival in Greenfield
This western Mass event runs from June 20-22 and allows camping. Headliners include Mt. Joy, Waxahatchee, and Courtney Barnett, and there are plenty more to choose from within a lineup of some 50 aritsts.
Single day passes cost $70-$80 depending on the day, with discounts for multi-day tickets.
BAMS Festival at Franklin Park in Boston
The Boston Arts & Music Soul Festival on June 28 features music and the arts, celebrating Afro-centric identity and Black artistry.
July
Levitate Music & Arts Festival in Marshfield
This two-day event set for July 12-13 annually brings chill vibes, jam bands, reggae, and more to the Marshfield Fairground.
In addition to several stages for bands and musicians, the festival includes various arts and craft vendors, a variety of food choices, skateboard, mural painting, and more.
Proceeds also support the local arts scene.
2024 Levitate festival coverage: “Floating on at Levitate Music & Arts Festival 2024”
This long-running event is scheduled for July 25-27.
September
Breakaway Festival Mass 2025 in Worcester
Electronic dance music festival set for Sept. 5-6. We hit the original local one held at Suffolk Downs and it was nonstop fun.
FreshGrass is a three-day event scheduled for Sept. 21-23 that features roots music traditionalists and innovators on four stages and platforms throughout the Mass MOCA museum’s 16-acre campus.
Porchfests, those semi-low-key affairs during which musicians set up on people’s porches and other open venues, come fast and furious in the spring, summer, and fall. Nearby, Natick Porchfest is a good one. A great way to get to sample a community and hear lots of good tunes.
Hit us up if interested in having Swellesley attend and cover your festival (we pick our spots, but appreciate opportunities).
