From Boston Calling 2023: Saturday Soundbites

Joy Oladokun

Attendees of Boston Calling’s Day 2 found a warm, cloudless day as well as several stellar performances awaiting them. One of these was Joy Oladokun’s midday set on the Green Stage. A Nigerian-American queer singer-songwriter, Oladokun introduced herself to her audience as a “cross cultural diplomat” due to the distinct yet intersecting aspects of her identity, self-presentation, and musical style. She went on to sing a setlist of tracks that ranged from discussions of religious trauma and good weed, to celebrations of friends (featuring a guest appearance by Mt. Joy’s Matt Quinn, who performed on the Red Stage after Oladokun’s set). Oladokun’s performance which balanced her down to earth personality while still centering complex themes — was a highly enjoyable experience and surely earned her some new fans.

Noah Kahan was the biggest draw on Day Two of the Boston Calling Music Fesitval. By Courtesy of Boston Calling / Alive Coverage

Noah Kahan

The next artist scheduled to take the Green Stage was none other than crowd favorite, Noah Kahan. This New England native’s earlier albums — “Busyhead” and “I Was/I Am” — were relatively well received, but it was Kahan’s most recent album “Stick Season” that led to his meteoric rise in the folk-pop space. With “Stick Season”’s New England focus, saying that this Boston crowd resonated with Kahan’s performance would be an understatement. Performing in front of the largest audience of the festival (and the largest he personally has ever performed for), Kahan played through a well-rounded setlist that included harder hitting songs like “Homesick” in addition to mellower tracks like “Growing Sideways” and “Orange Juice.” In addition to delivering gritty vocals in a simple yet effective denim jumpsuit, Kahan also brought a sense of humility and geniality to the stage. Despite his tremendous success, it is clear the singer doesn’t take himself too seriously: “I’ve been called the Jewish Ed Sheeran. I’ve been called Folk Malone. But tonight, I’m Jewis Capaldi” Kahan said.

Alanis Morisette rocks the Red Stage. By Courtesy of Boston Calling / Alive Coverage

Alanis Morissette

Day 2’s penultimate performer, this time on the Happy Valley Red Stage, was 90s darling Alanis Morissette. The Canadian-American actress and singer-songwriter began her set with an introductory video reflecting on her rise to stardom through the present day. What followed was a universally appealing set which — despite some sound issues that made it difficult to hear — still packed a punch of post-grunge nostalgia and plenty of tracks from her hit studio album, “Jagged Little Pill.” For her part, Morissette appeared to be having the time of her life, sporting some fresh red Adidas sneakers and a beaming smile the whole time.