by Mia Zarrella, Entertainment Contributor 

The weather was ideal: not too hot, not too cold. The super blood moon was a spectacle. And the entertainment was monumental.

September 25-27th was the 6th installment of Boston Calling Music Festival. Over the course of these three days, 22 bands performed on either of the two stages at City Hall Plaza. The most popular genre seemed to be indie music— indie rock, indie pop, indie folk—with several electronic, synth pop artists also.

The concert began Friday, September 25th with Gregory Alan Isakov, Of Monsters and Men, and headlining band, The Avett Brothers. Indie folk/indie pop band, Of Monsters And Men, played their 2012 hits like “Little Talks” and “King and Lionheart” along with songs from their 2015 album Between the Skin.

Saturday was when the festival was in full-bloom with nine acts. The music started at 1 p.m. with local band Grey Season, followed by smaller bands Skylar Spence, Doomtree, and Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks. Then at 4 p.m. the names got bigger. Sturgill Simpson, Father John Misty, Walk the Moon, Chromeo, Chvrches, and closing act Alt-J played through the night until 11 p.m.

Father John Misty put on a captivating show, throwing his body (and the mic) around the stage, swinging his hips, and falling down…again and again. Misty even took a selfie-video on a fan’s phone. The exciting show Father John Misty put on helped hype the crowd of people who immediately ran over to see Walk the Moon work their bodies (pun intended) on the other stage.

It was the second time that Reilly McGreen, 20, of South Kingstown, saw Walk the Moon. “I think they have a feel-good style. It certainly pumps you up, it gets you moving. They know how to work a crowd,” said McGreen who was moved by WTM to move. “I like dancing. I’m not a good dancer, but I like dancing.”

Walk the Moon closed with their 2012 hit song, “Anna Sun,” but before that, they performed the highly anticipated, record-breaking Billboard Hot 100 song, “Shut up and Dance.”

Closing the night was Alt-J with a light display as exciting and fascinating as their songs.

Sunday’s lineup featured Boston band, Dirty Bangs, followed by Bully, Fidlar, Daughter, Twin Shadow, and MisterWives. The final acts were Nate Ruess, Ben Howard, Hozier, and Alabama Shakes.

Daughter’s performance was melancholy and touching—winning over the crowd when lead singer and guitarist Elena Tonra apologized for having a “brain fart” about how to play her new song.

Indie pop band MisterWives was a surprise for many concertgoers, turning audience members into fans with every song, monologue, synchronized snap, and smile. Yes, there was synchronized snapping, and it was amazing to be a part of.

“MisterWives’ rendition of Michael Jackson’s “PYT” and The Weeknd’s “I Can’t Feel My Face” was one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen,” said North Kingstown resident Jon Becker, 19, who proclaimed MisterWives as the best performance of the night next to Alabama Shakes.

Lead singer of pop band Fun., Nate Ruess, performed songs from his solo album “Grand Romantic,” and pleased his audience with the classic Fun. songs, “Some Nights,” “Carry On,” and “We Are Young.” He also performed “Just Give Me A Reason” (a collaborative song with Pink) and covered Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” Ruess proved his popularity by the unmeasurable number of people singing along with every word and melody, indulging in “We Are Young” and empathizing with “Nothing Without Love.”

Then at 8:15 p.m., Irish singer-songwriter Hozier walked on stage, sending fans into a frenzy. Hit song “Take Me To Church,” which has over 81 million views on YouTube, had people all over festival grounds belting the lyrics. He also performed a cover of the Beatles’ “Blackbird” and Ariana Grande’s “Problem.”

“This was my third time seeing Andrew Hozier-Byrne. I saw him at Newport Folk Fest in July and Firefly Music Festival in mid-June,” said Becker wearing his Hozier shirt.

Possibly the most memorable moment of the festival was the end. Alabama Shakes came on at 9:30 p.m. and shook the earth while a super blood moon eclipse put on its own spectacle of a show. It was a competition between what was more awe-inspiring: the lunar eclipse or lead talent, Britney Howard’s powerhouse voice.

For some concertgoers, the music wasn’t even the best part, it was bonding with the thousands of other eager fans in the crowd. “Everyone’s nice,” said Angie Gesualdo, 16, of East Greenwich, who was stationed front row at the time, anxiously waiting for Alabama Shakes. “I’m not leaving this spot,” she said, gripping the gate separating her from the stage and occasionally taking photos with the other dedicated fans around her.

The festival tested the mental and physical endurance of the concertgoers. How many shows can you fit into your schedule? How close can you get to the stage? How long can you stand in the front row before having to leave your spot to go the bathroom or grab a hotdog and some water? Conflicts weren’t an option though, these people were there for the music, and for the music they devoted themselves, surviving off of the free KIND bars and Polar waters.

But would they do it again? “Definitely,” says Becker.

Boston Calling Fall 2015: 22 bands, three days, just music and friends.