After a triumphant 2024 festival, everything seemed to be coming up Nice, a Fest. The festival lasted three days across as many stages, hosting somewhere around 80 bands in four days. For local DIY fans, what could be better?
That’s probably why — when the festival organizers announced that they were taking a hiatus in 2025 — Boston’s music community wept. It’s also why — when they also announced a 3-day return for July 2026 — that same community jumped for joy. This weekend, NICE returns.
So what’s new for this year? The festival has added a third indoor venue, the Dragon’s Lair, to rhe roster. A collaboration with Dragon Pizza, the venue will serve as the weekend’s small stage, featuring sets from power pop up-and-comers Autumn Astronauts who kick the weekend off on Friday at 5:30. Diane Young, Marquis Lavoie, Battlemode, Monaveli, and more will help inaugurate this new stage. On Sunday, from noon to 5pm, the Dragon’s Lair will operate as a free arcade.
What’s been so fun about NICE in the past is its organization among multiple venues within a two minutes walk of each other. Running back and forth between Crystal Ballroom and the Rockwell is a great way to get your steps in over the weekend. The Rockwell’s cozy subterranean stage will host some of our most anticipated acts of the weekend: Sad13, Mal Devisa, Perennial (clad in their iconic striped shirts), Dot Dev’s full band set, Dimitri Onixx, and many more.
On Friday night, Crystal Ballroom will host one of the most events in recorded history: the return of beloved local legends Krill. If you weren’t on the hip e train 10 years ago, here’s your chance. Crystal Ballroom will also host Bus Crush, JVK, Headband, Justin Schaefers and more.
We’re also looking forward to shopping in the Small Mart in the Davis Square Plaza, where you can see performances from Ivy Boy, DJ sets from Mercet and AP’s very own DJ Wholesale Club, as well as shop from local vendors. It’s the best place to find a hot new look for the festival.
One of the things that has really made NICE special (for this writer) in the last few years was the bar stocking Grillo’s pickles behind rhe bar for individual purchase (and for pickle-brine based drinks if that’s your bag). Sadly, we got word that Grillo’s is not a sponsor this year… HOWEVER an 11th hour text from Alex Pickert, one of the festival’s chief organizers, confirmed that the pickles will be back! Rejoice!
Enjoy some of Harry’s photos from NICE, a fest 2024.
