One of the best things about Boston Calling music festival is that there are no overlapping sets, which means both the audience and the artists get to catch every jam. To curate your best BC playlist, we hit up a few bands on the bill to ask them what songs by co-performers they’re hoping to hear live—and why—when the fest takes over City Hall Plaza this Memorial Day weekend.

Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara

Cass McCombs: “County Line”
“This song always makes me feel like crying. I think it’s good to work out the tear ducts every once in a while, especially amongst large groups of strangers in public.”

Built To Spill: “In Your Mind”
“I used to listen to this band like crazy, and this song made it onto a lot of ‘mixed tapes’ back in the day!”

Jenny Lewis: “You Are What You Love”
“Unmistakable voice and this song is a great meditation for me.”

Lukas Wooller of Maxïmo Park

Kurt Vile: “Jesus Fever”
“If the sun is out, and we’re able to get a beer or two, then ‘Jesus Fever’ would be the perfect soundtrack.”

Cass McCombs: “Pregnant Pause”
“I first heard him through a friend who lent me his third album, Dropping the Writ, and I was hooked from the opening guitar line. Cass is one of the best songwriters around. His lyrics have a strong personality, with unique observations and a subtle humor, while his music goes from rollicking riffs to laid back country to slick West Coast.”

Warpaint: “Disco//very”
“I saw them in London about three years ago, and what struck me live was the presence of the bass. It was really huge and dubby. It made me go back to their record with new ears, and I’d like to see them play their new album.”

Christian Lette of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

The Decemberists: “The Mariner’s Revenge Song”
“It’s a great story. Each instrument plays the role each of the characters, and the elements. It’s a story told over a drink at a candlelit bar—the tradition of myths being carried on. It makes me want to make scrimshaw carvings and set sail on an adventure. It’s sounds of Gypsy callings, campfire odysseys and drunken celebrations of struggle and strife.”

Death Cab for Cutie: “Passenger Seat”
“My own story unfolds from the song—the drone, the sound of the space and sky. The piano is the air, the smell of the trees. It’s one of those songs that transports inwards… a place between dreams, life and hope.”

Also on Lette’s list:

Warpaint: “Undertow”

Cass McCombs: “Dreams Come True Girl”

Modest Mouse: “3rd Planet”

Jack Johnson: “Mediocre Bad Guys”

Frank Turner

Brand New: “I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light”
“It’s one of the best songs about traveling and playing music there is—incredible lyrics.”

Death Cab For Cutie: “We Laugh Indoors”
“This song makes me want to call my children Guinevere…if I ever have any.”

Bastille: “Pompeii”
“They’re old friends of ours. Dan used to open for me back in 2008 or so. This song is killer.”

Ryan Marshall of Walk off the Earth

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros: “Man on Fire”
“This is one of those songs that changes when you see it live. Tens of thousands of people singing along at the top of their lungs moves you. It reminds me what music does for people’s hearts and souls.”

Tegan and Sara: “Dancing in the Dark” (Springsteen cover)
“I know, I know. I realize I should put one of their original songs, and, believe me, I love Tegan and Sara. I’ve been following them for over 10 years. But their version of ‘Dancing in the Dark’ by Bruce Springsteen is one of the most incredible songs to hear live. I hope they read this and play it!”

Bastille: “Bad Blood”
“Epic, epic song. I wish I wrote this song. It’s epic.”

Stella Mozgawa of Warpaint

All Kurt Vile!

“Peeping Tomboy”
“This is always the first Kurt song I play for anyone who hasn’t heard his music before. It’s got his essence.”

“I Wanted Everything”
“It’s simple, intimate and beautiful. The sentiment doesn’t need to be dressed with flowery prose—it’s perfect the way it is.”

“Girl Called Alex”
“I’m a little bit biased, but this is my favorite of his songs, especially lyrically. Trying to explain why would taint it.”

Alex Caplow of Magic Man

Modest Mouse: “Float On”
“One of my favorite bands and songs of all time. We covered it for several years but never got sick of it. You’ll see me jumping up and down like a maniac to this one.”

Phosphorescent: “Song for Zula”
“It’s simply heart-wrenching, I fell in love on my first listen. I can’t wait to hear his emotive voice live.”

Tegan and Sara: “Closer”
“I loved their old sound in high school, love their new sound now. This song is pop perfection. Going to dance hard to this one.”

Death Cab for Cutie: “I Will Follow You Into the Dark”
“I’m really looking forward to singing along with the whole crowd to this acoustic love anthem of my generation. If only my tight Death Cab shirt still fit me…”

Boston Calling is at City Hall Plaza May 23-25. Buy tickets and see the full lineup at spring.bostoncalling.com