Chance the Rapper to Headline Boston Calling at Harvard Facilities

Harvard’s athletic facilities will host Chance the Rapper, Mumford and Sons, Bon Iver, and dozens of other artists at this year’s Boston Calling music festival from May 26 to 28, its organizers announced Thursday.

Forty-five performers—roughly double the festival’s normal lineup—are set to participate in the popular festival, which will span three outdoor stages at Harvard’s athletic complex in Allston. The festival has yet to release a schedule of artist performances.

Last May, Boston Calling organizers announced the event would be held at Harvard instead of Boston’s City Hall Plaza, which housed the festival since its debut in 2013.

In addition to the change of venue, the festival skipped its usual fall show in Sept. 2016 and will take place once a year starting in 2017.

The festival’s organizers said they are excited about the move to Harvard.

“Between our location and lineup, 2017 will undoubtedly be the most exciting Boston Calling yet,” Brian Appel, co-founder and chief executive officer of Boston Calling Events, said in the release. “At the same time, we remain committed to our roots and very clear on the elements that make Boston Calling so special.”

Under a rental agreement with Harvard’s Athletic Department, the festival will be held at several of Harvard's athletic fields in Allston along North Harvard St., according to the press release.

“We are pleased to provide a venue that allows Boston Calling to expand its creative programming,” said Timothy J. Williamson, Harvard’s associate director of athletics and director of athletic communications.

Organizers also said changes have allowed for more variety in programming. This year, Natalie Portman ’03—an actress, director, and Harvard College alumna known for her roles in the movies “Black Swan” and “Star Wars”—will also curate a film festival for the event.

“Moving to our new location has allowed us to expand programming of the festival to include many more of our favorite artists,” Aaron Dessner, the festival’s musical curator, said in a press release.

At the most recent festival in May, indie popstar Sia, Swedish electronic artist Robyn, and indie folk singer Sufjan Stevens were featured at the festival’s last incarnation at Boston’s City Hall Plaza.

—Staff writer Junina Furigay can be reached at junina.furigay@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @junina_furigay.