According to Boston Calling co-founder Brian Appel, the 18-act, two-day festival should bring approximately 20,000 people into downtown Boston. In terms of the lineup, the cast Appel and co-producer Mike Snow have assembled spans the vast offerings of the current indie music scene.

Headliners and popular favorites like fun., The National, and The Shins will be joined by up- and-coming acts like MS MR, St. Lucia, Of Monsters and Men, Youth Lagoon, Bad Rabbits and Young the Giant. Flushing the festival out are indie acts who have already made a name for themselves, through relentless touring and/ or album releases: The Walkmen, Ra Ra Riot, Caspian, Dirty Projectors, Matt and Kim and Andrew Bird.

You can check out a custom made Spotify playlist highlighting a few of our favorite songs from each of the featured Boston Calling bands right here.

Boston Calling has been an 18-month project, started by Appel and Snow after they left their previous jobs at WFNX and the Boston Phoenix. The festival sold out of general admission tickets two weeks ago, a huge relief for organizers and a good sign, according to Appel.

“We forecasted that we’d probably sell out but when it happened it was reassuring, that we’d been correct and our idea had worked. I’m thrilled and it’s a relief as well,” he said. “We’ve got a few VIP packages left through the website and the box office.”

Construction started early this week, as crews are currently swarming City Hall Plaza, setting up the two main stages, a spacious beer garden, and a food pavilion with room for food trucks.

“At our former jobs, for the Phoenix and WFNX, we’ve actually helped put on free shows at City Hall before,” Appel said. “But we saw an opportunity here to do a ticket event. The big hurdle was just working through logistics. When we left we thought we’d try it.”

Properly planning the festival took months of working with the city, sorting through the lease, and securing funding, said Appel. He said the bands were booked in two phases. First, he said, organizers reached out to the National’s Aaron Dessner, who wanted to help curate the festival.

In October of last year, Appel met with Dessner in New York.

“We talked about our plans and he wanted to be involved,” Appel said. “He said he was a big fan of Boston and was just amazed with the fan base here and how many tickets they sell each time they visit. Boston has a vibrant music scene and we were happy to have him on board curating.”

But Appel said many bands were reluctant to sign on to a first-time festival.

“We heard ‘let’s wait and see’ because they’re waiting to see what you can do your first year before getting invested,” he said. “Having The National as the first band, willing to come on board at the start, helped with our credibility and our reach as far as bands.”

A second partnership with Bowery Presents helped solidify the lineup. Bowery Presents books lineups for Sinclair, Great Scott and Royale.

“The people from the Bowery came through and helped finalize everything, getting the contracts in place as well,” he said.

Appel said he’s proud to have put together such a diverse and popular lineup.

“I’m a huge fan of Portugal. The Man and I’m thrilled that the Shins jumped on,” he said. “We’ve seen a surprisingly huge social media reaction with fans of Marina and the Diamonds too. If you look down the lineup, it’s an eclectic group. Young the Giant haven’t been in Boston in over a year and it’s just a great collection of bands.”

Appel said he has a simple message for attendees over Memorial Day weekend, be patient.

“This is our first time doing this and we’re trying to make it as fan-centric as possible,” he said. “You’ll be able to leave the festival to explore the city, go to bars and restaurants but there will be appropriate security so there may be lines to get in.”

“Just be patient please. All of the bands are coming and it’s looking like the weather will be nice. It’s shaping up to be a great weekend in Boston,” he added. “Also, kids under 10 are free so please bring them.”

By Dana Forsyth- Re-posted from WickedLocal.com

But transplant any of the four guitarists at last night’s Lizard show to any honky tonk outside Nashville (or Austin or Biloxi) and they’d crush the competition. No disrespect to the fine Southern swamp rock bands, but our guys are better.

Go next Wednesday and tell me I’m wrong. Or just take a look at the players’ pedigrees.

As a relative newbie to the Lizard scene and the dedicated Cambridge cats, I had trouble connected the dots during last night’s sets by Laurie Sargent and Dennis Brennan. I know I’ve missed a dozen, but here are the acts Sargent, Brennan and their band members have played with: Bob Dylan, the J. Geils Band, Peter Wolf, Buffalo Tom, Bill Janovitz, Warren Zanes, Face to Face, Morphine, Treat Her Right, Twinemen, Session Americana, Club d’Elf and Lori McKenna.

Opening the night Sargent and friends debuted a few songs from upcoming solo album “Little Dipper and the Shooting Star.” Sargent joked they were just rehearsing in front of us, but the looseness of the set is what made it so choice.

Behind her, Stu Kimball (10 years and counting on the road with Dylan) and David Champagne (Treat Her Right) traded wicked licks for an hour. The band hit the peak with new one “Maids at the Mountain View” — a bluegrass-meets-Zeppelin epic straight out of Montana’s misty mountains.

Up top was Dennis Brennan and band. An absurdly great frontman, Brennan combines the swagger of Peter Wolf and the hair of Tom Waits (don’t ever, ever underestimate Waits’ hair!). The singer’s best moment came when he invited Sargent on to the rug to help him out on gem “Brokenhearted I Will Wonder” — a Saturday night boozer and Sunday spiritual in one.

An ace songwriter, Brennan has the smarts to know when to keep a tune tight and when to get out of the way and let his band wail. If you’re a fan of great guitar tag teams — Keef & Ronnie, Duane & Dickey — you’d be crushed by Duke Levine (Wolf’s go to guy) and Kevin Barry (session ace and Berklee prof). I got deliciously lost in their back and forth on “Youngstown.”

You know you don’t have plans for Wednesday. Or the Wednesday after that. Go to the Lizard, it’s closer than Nashville and cheaper than the Stones.

Bonus points: Nobody rides the ride like Billy Beard.

By Jed Gottlieb, Re-posted from BostonHerald.com

Worcester, MA (PRWEB) May 07, 2013

Local celebrity mind reader Eric Dittelman will join with other Massachusetts finalists and contestants from “America’s Got Talent,” “The Voice” and other popular television talent competitions to present Worcester Cares- Boston Strong: a Variety Show for the One Fund Boston on May 24 at 8pm at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts to help raise funds for the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy.

Dittelman was a semi-finalist on Season 7 of “America’s Got Talent” and is from the Worcester area. He combines mind reading with stand-up and improv comedy and has appeared in “Entertainment Weekly,” “Rolling Stone” and even the “National Enquirer.” He most recently was seen on “The Ellen Degeneres Show.”

Alternative pop-rock singer-songwriter and Worcester native, Sam James from “The Voice,” also joins Dittelman. Sam James appeared on Seasons 2 and 3 of the hit NBC singing competition where he was selected to be part of Adam Levine’s team. He since has had the chance to share his music with a wider audience reaching #11 on the iTunes Rock Chart and has recently opened for Gavin DeGraw and Andy Grammer.

The show will be emceed by comedian Stephen Donovan of the “Jen & Steve Morning Show” on WXLO 104.5 FM. They will be joined by other acts and special guests yet to be announced, from Worcester and its surrounding areas.

The performers and The Hanover Theatre have donated their services and talents so that all proceeds from the event will go toward The One Fund Boston (http://www.OneFundBoston.org), which was established by Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to raise money in order to help those families most affected by the tragic events that unfolded during the Boston Marathon.

Tickets to Worcester Cares- Boston Strong: a Variety Show for the One Fund Boston are $30-$40, and are available online at TheHanoverTheatre.org, by phone at 877.571.SHOW (7469) or at The Hanover Theatre box office located at 2 Southbridge Street in downtown Worcester.

About The Hanover Theatre
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, located in downtown Worcester, New England’s second largest city, is recognized by Pollstar as one of the top 50 theatres in the world. After undergoing many name changes and renovations over the decades since its 1926 birth, The Hanover Theatre reopened in March 2008 following a $32 million historic restoration. Since then, the theatre has established its place as a rich entertainment and cultural venue, winning numerous awards, including The National Trust for Historic Preservation Award in 2010. Now in its fifth season, The Hanover Theatre continues to expose over 170,000 annual patrons to world-class entertainment in the form of Broadway, concerts, comedians and much more. For more information, visit TheHanoverTheatre.org. Worcester Center for the Performing Arts, a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, owns and operates The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Re-posted from PRWeb.com

The events that unfolded on Monday left us at a loss for reaction. There was no way we could spin the situation to make sense of it, and we knew we weren’t alone. As we searched for ways to possibly help, turning to the Boston music scene was a no brainer.

We posted a call for song donations on our Facebook page, and within a matter of minutes, our inbox was flooded with messages from musicians looking to help in any way. It was at this point that things came to perspective. We weren’t surprised in the least, but were overwhelmed by how much people love the hell out of this city. As if we needed any reminder at all, this was yet another example of how lucky we are to live in the most supportive music community that we’ve ever known. So from Allston Pudding to everyone who is a part of this (and there are many)—Thank you for being terrific souls.

The following compilation features 130 tracks from 130 different bands and artists. Boston is represented heavily, but it doesn’t stop there. Support came from all over New England, as well as various States throughout the Nation, from North Carolina to Illinois, to California. Multiple genres appear throughout the playlist as well, making it a diverse and a curious mix for any kind of listener. To all who donated a track, but it did not make it on to the mix, our deepest apologies, but we wanted to release this in a timely fashion and had to cut off donations after a certain time!

For a donation of $1 or more, you will be able to download all 130 of these songs (or download any individual track you would like if you prefer). 100% of the donations collected from this compilation will go directly to The One Fund Boston, to benefit the victims of the Marathon tragedy. If you make a donation of $10 or more in the next week, you will be entered to win an Allston Pudding sweatshirt.

Reposted from AllstonPudding.com

At Cafeteria on Newbury Street only a couple of blocks away from where the second explosion took place, patrons–many of whom were from out of town–stopped by for a bite to eat. “Business is as usual for us,” Demetri Tsolakis, director of operations at Cafeteria, told NBC News. In fact, Tuesday was even “a little busier.” He said that the restaurant sees “more and more tourists every year” and that these international visitors, often from Canada or Europe, were out “enjoying the day” rather than huddling indoors.

“People are still scared,” said Tsolakis. “But it has united people. You can tell that everyone is feeling for Boston.”

Cafeteria and more than 20 other restaurants donated a portion of Tuesday night’s proceeds to the Greg Hill Foundation to benefit victims of Monday’s unfortunate events. Elsehwere, strangers and a pizza shop fed Boston’s first responders and victims.

Manager Moulay Guessous works at Scoozi, also on Newbury Street, “right behind where the tragedy happened.” As a result, business slumped slightly, though “we were expecting even less, to tell you the truth,” he said. Of those who did dine in, Guessous said, “Everyone is trying to be here on a positive note and support businesses in the best way possible.”

He pointed out, though, that among the diverse clientele of tourists, college students, and locals, the mood had changed.

“There are emotional scars. People are sad for all the people who lost their lives,” he said. “But everyone in our staff has been very helpful. Some have already donated blood.” Guessous and his team are looking for other ways to help out. “We saw New York go through it and pull together. And I think we’ll do just as well in Boston and put our city back right where it belongs.”

At the neighborhood fixture Thornton’s Fenway Grill, Marty Thornton felt less upbeat. His crowd consists mainly of locals with close ties to the city and to the marathoners. When he kept his establishment open on Monday night after the tragedy, the place was busier than usual.

“We’re a neighborhood bar, and a lot of people needed somewhere to go,” said Thornton.

Besides drinks, the bar offered its electrical outlets to people who needed to charge their phones after a day of busily trying to call missing loved ones while the cellphone networks in the area were overwhelmed. It was also a place where customers could gather and console each other.

“A lot of people were still in shock,” said Marty. “No one wants to sit home when something like that happens.” As patrons called it a night, “They thanked me for being open,” he said. “They wanted to get together with their friends. It was a relief for people.”

On Tuesday, some establishments including Mexican eatery Boloco and Italian restaurant Vapiano even offered free food and drink to emergency responders.

At one of Boston’s most famous bars, Cheers, manager Dennis Pinto said the restaurant was more crowded than usual. He said, “The marathon is one of our busiest days of the year. We get all the ‘blue and yellow jackets,’” people wearing the official jackets of the 2013 Boston Marathon. “Partly because we’re so close to where it happened, and those restaurants are closed, people came here.”

By Grace Bello, NBC News Contributer- Reposted from NBCNews.com

Another year, another Boston Marathon — and you’re not running in it. That’s for the better, I say. The Boston Marathon route is among the most difficult marathon routes in the world, challenging runners to 26.2 miles of grueling hills, aggressive winds and hordes of drunk college kids. You may not be in college anymore, but if you have Marathon Monday off, take the opportunity to enjoy a little imbibing yourself. We’ve created a do-it-yourself pub crawl along the last few miles of the Boston Marathon route for you to take full advantage of on Monday (and so you’re not driving while drinking the first 20 miles). Start early, end late, and remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy!

Mile 22:  Cleveland Circle

Take the C Line out to Cleveland Circle, and do it up like the college kids do. The first runners will be through here in the 10 a.m. hour, fresh off of Heartbreak Hill, so they’re going to need your enthusiasm. Snag a spot at CitySide’s roof deck and wish them well from your cozy seat high above the course, beer in hand.

Mile 23: Washington Square

Make two pit stops in Washington Square. Jimmy’s Bar and Oven has outdoor seating, stellar pizza and a stocked bar. Across Beacon Street, The Publick House offers a huge selection of craft beer, and killer mac and cheese for some last-minute carbo-loading.

Mile 24: Coolidge Corner

Then, head on down Beacon Street to Coolidge Corner. This is one of my favorite spots to watch the marathon – the runners are in the final stretch, and the energy is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Cheer them on, then go off the beaten path to Regal Beagle to sip the “Rosie’s Green Mile” cocktail, which features Toms Barrel Aged Gin, Green Chartreuse, Bittermans Hiver Amer and fresh lemon.

Mile 25: Kenmore Square

Runners eye the Citgo sign as the 25 mile marker; you eye it as the final stretch on your bar crawl. Stop in to The Hawthorne for some classy cocktails, or drop by their neighbors at Eastern Standard for patio dining with a view. Warning: after the Red Sox game ends, Eastern Standard gets pretty packed, so get in the right mindset for shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

Mile 26: Boylston Street

You can do it! The crowds are roaring as you round the corner on Boylston Street (just kidding, they’re cheering for the actual runners, but you can pretend it’s for you). Choose from one of several options on race day. Pour House and Whiskey’s are good bets, but I personally would opt for the margaritas at Cactus Club.

Mile 26.2: The Finish Line

Still kickin’? Round out your marathon day of drinking at Solas with cold, refreshing pints. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for making it through.

Where will you be drinking on Marathon Monday?

By Lisa DeCanio, Re-posted  from BostonInno.com

When Steven Wright made his first appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson in August 1982, little did he know that he’d soon be invited back.

Very soon.

Carson enjoyed Wright’s offbeat comedy routine so much that he invited  him to appear again within a week — a rarity for “The Tonight Show.”

This summer, Wright will be making another return trip of sorts. He’ll be in Norfolk to accept the Johnny Carson Comedy Legend award at the 2013 Viaero Great American Comedy Festival.

Eddie Brill, who is the festival’s artistic director and warm-up comic for David Letterman, went to Emerson College in Massachusetts with Wright. Brill said he’s excited to have Wright at the festival.

“Steven is one of the most prolific and brilliant minds in our industry . . . continuing to make people laugh all over the world,” Brill said. “His very first appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’ with Johnny Carson was one of those moments in time where the world stopped and even Johnny had to take a breath to realize what he had just witnessed.”

Brill will interview his fellow comedian as part of the festival performance on Saturday, June 15, that also will feature headliner Drew Carey.

The festival’s Johnny Carson Comedy Legend award is one of only two awards in existence that bear the Carson name. Previous recipients have been Dick Cavett, Bill Dana, Ed Asner, Cloris Leachman and Jimmie “JJ” Walker.

“With Drew, Steven and the finals of our stand-up competition, that’s going to be quite a show,” said Lori Williams, executive director of the festival.

Wright has enjoyed a stellar career as a stand-up comedian, writer and actor.

His first stabs at comedy came after he graduated from college and became a regular performer at Ding Ho’s Comedy Club and Chinese Restaurant in Cambridge, Mass.

His subsequent back-to-back performances on “The Tonight Show” helped put his fledgling career into high gear. The comic soon found himself performing his routines on “Saturday Night Live” and “Late Night” with David Letterman.

Wright expanded his comedy career to include comedy albums, film and television appearances. His 1986 debut album, “I Have A Pony,” earned him a Grammy nomination. In 1985, he starred in his first HBO special. In 1989, he was honored with an Academy Award for Best Short Film for his film “The Appointments of Dennis Jennings” in which he starred and co-wrote.

Wright has been seen in numerous films including “Desperately Seeking Susan,” “So I Married An Axe Murderer” and “Natural Born Killers.” In 1999, he had a guest-starring role in “The Muse” starring Albert Brooks, Sharon Stone, Andie MacDowell and Jeff Bridges. In 2008, he was honored as the first inductee into the Boston Comedy Hall of Fame.

He recently was seen in a guest role on the FX comedy series “Louie.” Wright is a regular guest on “The Late Show” with David Letterman, “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno and “Late Night” with Conan O’Brien, along with making appearances on Jimmy Kimmel’s and Craig Ferguson’s late-night shows. He continues touring the U.S., Canada and overseas.

By Kent Wareneke , Re-posted from NorfolkDailyNews

Warmer days are on their way and it is never too early to think about the next cruise! The Summer Rock and Blues Concert Cruise on the Boston Harbor already announced some of the talented acts that will be performing this summer and tickets are on sale now!

Cruisers will board the beautiful ship, the Provincetown II, at the World Trade Center Pier at 200 Seaport Boulevard in Boston, Massachusetts. Each cruise offers a cash bar and a selection of food concessions on board. Visit www.rockandbluescruise.com and continue to visit this site as new acts are added!

The Rock and Blues Concert Cruise is proud to present a night dedicated to Ska fans everywhere! “Ska in the Harbor” will be held on Sunday, June 16 with Ska bands ‘Westbound Train’ and ‘The Toasters.’ Boston-based Ska and Reggae band, ‘Westbound Train’ have been together for over a decade. Their latest CD is called, ‘Come and Get It.’

Established in New York City, The Toasters have been together for over 30 years and one of the longest running ska bands in music history! They have a library of album releases including ‘The Ska Box,’ ‘Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down,’ and ‘Two Tone Army.’ Kick off the summer with these two amazing acts on Sunday, June 16 at 3 p.m.

The Ryan Montbleau Band will set sail on Saturday, June 22! The Ryan Montbleau’s band’s new CD is called, ‘For Higher,’ and contains remarkable cuts on the CD such as ‘Deadset’ and ‘Head above Water.’ To learn more about the Ryan Montbleau Band, visit www.ryanmontbleauband.com.

Boston’s funk and disco band, Booty Vortex will get the party started with their irresistible dance music on Friday, July 5! To learn more about this energetic 12-piece blast from the past, visit www.bootyvortex.com.

Connecticut-based electric rock band Max Creek, a group who have performed together for over 40 years, features John Rider on electric bass, Scott Murawski on guitar, Mark Mercier on keyboards, Bill Carbone on drums, and Jamemurrell Stanley on percussion. They are currently working on a box set called ‘Maxology.’ Learn more about them on www.maxcreek.com. They will perform in the heat of summer along with Viral Sound on Sunday, August 25.

Five-piece elektro-funk band Viral Sound and Max Creek both made appearances at Costa Rica’s Jungle Jam earlier this year, a three day concert weekend that featured some of the best New England talent. Opening for Max Creek is Viral Sound, a rock and roll, funky, jazz, and reggae band hailing from Providence, Rhode Island.

Visit www.rockandbluescruise.com to order tickets for this exciting series!

By Jeanne Denizard, Reposted from Examiner.com

If it’s your first time in Boston for Restaurant Week, it’s normal to be overwhelmed. With over 200 of Boston’s finest restaurants offering fixed-price meals that college students can afford, it’s hard to choose which restaurant to try. But in these final days of this year’s Restaurant Week, if you’re interested in enjoying three-courses of Western cuisine inspired by Asian and Californian dishes, all accompanied by a breathtaking view of the Boston skyline, look no further than the Top of the Hub.

Located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower, it’s hard not to get distracted by the incredible view of Boston that surrounds nearly the entire dining room, a feature popular among tourists. The candles that laced the room, the lounge in the middle of the restaurant and the impressive collection of fine wines all added to the restaurant’s romantic ambiance.

For the appetizer, the cauliflower and carrot soup with goat cheese, bacon and fried shallots stood out. The crispy garnish was a nice touch, complimenting the sweet and creamy soup, and the bacon did not overwhelm its delicate flavors. The entrée of bourbon-and-black-pepper-glazed short rib with green apple slaw and white cheddar potato cake was beautifully presented and tasty. The tender short rib lay on top of the light, crispy potato cake, each complimenting the other texturally and in flavor.

Another entrée, grilled black tiger shrimp with pasta tubes, roasted tomatoes, sweet basil parmesan cream and pignoli, differed from the hearty steak in essence, but not in quality. The shrimp were large and cooked perfectly. The pasta was creamy, although the dish was not much different than one that you could order at a place like Olive Garden. Finally, for dessert, the crème brulee was topped with seasonal blackberries, perfectly thick and creamy, and especially buttery.

Alternative dishes include blood orange, almond and rocket salad with roasted garlic lemonette and blue cheese for appetizer, roasted chicken breast with Tuscan kale, white bean stew, crushed red pepper, and fennel sausage for the entrée, and two-layered Mississippi mud pie for dessert.

The portions were relatively small, but filling. You leave feeling satisfied and not overstuffed. The service was also friendly. The waitress was attentive and took the time to answer any questions about different dishes.

With a reservation at 6:30 p.m., I had the chance to witness the astounding progression of the Boston skyline as the sun set. As the sky faded into darkness, the lights from buildings and streets grew brighter, revealing a new beautiful view of the city. After sunset, the restaurant was softly lit by dim candles and the city lights.

Overall, it was an excellent dining experience in terms of food quality, service and atmosphere. The Restaurant Week menu is only a sample of their more diverse regular menu, and this first visit definitely piqued my interest in dining at the Top of the Hub in the future.

The Top of the Hub is located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower at 800 Boylston Street. All Restaurant Week prix fixe menus set prices at $38.13 for a three-course dinner, $20.13 for a three-course lunch and $15.13 for a two-course lunch.

By Bonnie Zeng, Re-posted from DailyFreePress.com

Rock hates middle age — remember all that “I hope I die before I get old” and “It’s better to burn out than fade away” stuff?  But now well into its 30s, after literally hundreds of bands, the Rumble is better than ever. It’s our very own music festival crammed with metal and roots rock and indie pop and everything else. Best of all, the class of 2013 is made up of a healthy mix of total unknowns and buzzing bands — I’ve seen exactly 1/3rd of these acts live, and I haven’t even heard of another 1/3rd.

The 2013 Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble begins Sunday, April 7 at T.T. The Bear’s.

Ladies and gentlemen, your class of 2013:

The Field Effect • White Dynomite • Eddie Japan
Glenn Yoder and the Western States • The Okay Win
Jack Burton vs. David Lo Pan • The Deep North
Endation • Blackbutton • Camden • Herra Terra
Whitcomb • Parks • Twin Berlin • Velah
The Suicide Dolls • Coyote Kolb • Lifestyle • Mount Peru
Ruby Rose Fox • The Daily Pravda • Supermachine
Cancer Killing Gemini • The New Highway Hymnal

By Jed Gottlieb-Boston Herald, Re-posted from BostonHerald.com