PHOTOS: Boston Calling Day One – Bebe Stockwell, Battlemode, Future Teens and more (05.23.25)

As Boston Calling kicked off on Friday afternoon it was the local talent that stole the show, Boston born Bebe Stockwell had the honors of being the weekend’s first act. With over half a million monthly listeners on Spotify, Stockwell was by far the largest act with local ties. Her most popular song “Love Me Back” has over seven million streams on Spotify alone, and helped her land a spot opening up for Stephen Sanchez last fall.

Shortly after Stockwell played, Kyle Dion was the first act to hit the Blue Stage. While he resides in Florida now Dion has strong family ties in New Haven, CT and spent much of his childhood going back and forth between Florida and Connecticut. Dion’s high energy level had him darting around the stage for much of his set, much to the delight of the early arriving crowd.

Chiptune trio Battlemode was the first band to take the Orange Stage, the dedicated local band stage. The band just put out their latest single, “Game On,” on May 16th, just in time for their Boston Calling set. Their set saw everything from cardboard rat props to band members jumping into the barricade to connect with the crowd.

Country act Dalton & the Sheriffs played on the main stage as well, serving as a last minute fill in with TLC having to withdraw from the day’s lineup due to a medical issue. The band was scaled down to an acoustic duo because of the arrangement being so last minute.

Other New England based acts on Friday included Somervilled based punk rock outfit Future Teens, and Manchester, NH natives Megan From Work.

Meanwhile, some of the smaller acts that stood out on the main stage were Max McNown, Holly Roller, and Wilderado.

Photos – Boston Calling Day One (artist names in captions):