Whether a headliner or first timer, a local or out-of-towner, every act that played the Boston Calling Music Festival, from May 23 to 25, arrived prepped and ready to put on their best performances for audiences of thousands.  While concertgoers saw the performances, what they didn’t see were the countless hours of rehearsal and preparation devoted to making the festival a success.   Members of an indie rock band from Oklahoma, Wilderado, preferred being underprepared for the event.“It never goes the way you want,” said Max Rainer, guitarist and lead singer. “Don’t expect much, and everything is so much better.”Rainer said the band’s goal is to make the audience “feel at home” with them.Guitarist and vocalist Tyler Wimpee said booking festivals can be “run and gun.” Thus, Wilderado curated their Boston Calling setlist by choosing songs that best represented the band for audience members who don’t know who they are, he said. Max...

Whether a headliner or first timer, a local or out-of-towner, every act that played the Boston Calling Music Festival, from May 23 to 25, arrived prepped and ready to put on their best performances for audiences of thousands. 

After Berklee recently partnered with Boston Calling, students at the University brought their talents to the festival for the first time to showcase “the next generation of jazz and beyond.”

Doors for the Boston Calling Music Festival opened at 1 p.m. May 23, but Brian Scully didn’t know he was performing until he got the call at 10:30 that morning.

Friday belonged to “emo cowgirls,” Saturday to rock lovers and Sunday to 1990s alternative fans. All weekend long, prominent headliners and small artists alike brought energy and variety to the Boston Calling crowd at Harvard Athletics Complex from May 23 to 25 — despite the gloomy weather.