New York City knows how to keep its music lovers satisfied. While the door may have closed for some summer festivals (R.I.P. All Points West and Siren Music Festival), there’s always more fun to be had in the scorching summer sun. Now in its third year, Governors Ball started out as a one-day affair on Governors Island, featuring talent from a range of genres (Girl Talk, Pretty Lights, Empire of the Sun, Big Boi, Neon Indian, Mac Miller, Das Racist, and more). Last year, expanding to two days and moving to its bigger home of Randall’s Island, Governors Ball further diversified its lineup, with Beck, Passion Pit, Kid Cudi, Modest Mouse, Explosions In The Sky, Fiona Apple, Chromeo, Major Lazer, and Phantogram.
This year, Governors Ball has expanded again, presenting three days and over 60 artists. The anticipation for this year’s lineup has elevated Governors Ball close to the status of some of the nation’s biggest festivals — like Lolla and Coachella, presale tickets sold out immediately. Hosted by Founders Entertainment, Governors Ball will also feature local NYC food trucks and other businesses, along with a multitude of other fun activities like the Silent Disco, ping pong tables, photobooths, and lawn games.
Representing the eclectic nature of the whole lineup, Governors Ball’s headliners this year are Guns N’ Roses, Kings of Leon, and Kanye West.
(A-) There’s no doubt that this lineup is mind-blowing, but I still have to give it an A-. Once you get past the big names, most of the newer talent appearing is somewhat indistinct under the broad umbrella of indie, psychedelic synth-pop.
Kanye West
You can easily spend the whole weekend swaying peacefully to your favorite indie rockers, maybe even a few folkier sets, but it’s absolutely essential to end your festival experience with the spectacle of Kanye West. Sure to be saturated with bright lights and tons of energy, this set will end the weekend with a bang.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Frontman Alex Ebert describes his alter ego, Edward Sharpe, as being a messianic figure “sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind…but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love.” Ebert and his partner Jade Castrinos radiate such honest joy on stage that you’ll be sure to fall in love, too. They’ll also be playing a slew of new songs from their upcoming album set for release sometime in June.
Gary Clark Jr.
Add a little grit to your festival schedule with “the future of Texas blues,” Gary Clark Jr. Since his early teen years in Austin, TX, Clark has combined elements of country, rock n’ roll, hip hop and R&B. In the past, Clark has shared stages with legends such as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Buddy Guy and has been compared to Jimi Hendrix. A throwback to icons of rock’s golden age, Clark presents a modern interpretation that’s fresh and invigorating to a set of contemporary ears.
Dirty Projectors
No matter how many times I see them, I’ll never cease to be amazed that yes, the Dirty Projectors can deliver their eerily flawless vocal harmonies in a live performance. If you have doubts about how their atonal grooves translate to the stage, trust in the mastermind David Longstreth and see for yourself!
Alt-J
Alt-J has been on our radar for a while now, but this British indie rock group has really blown up in the past few months. We were lucky enough to record a terrifically intimate Buzzsession with them a few months back at Electric Lady Studio, but we can’t wait to see them let loose on the big stage!
MS MR
New York Duo, MS (Lizzy Plapinger) MR (Max Hershenow) is about to release their debut album, but their EP, Candy Bar Creep Show, is more than enough to produce hype for their Governors Ball performance. If the rest of the album also features retro “doo wops” and dreamy loop pedals, expect a glamorously spooky set.
On An On
Formerly three-fifths of the indie pop ensemble Scattered Trees, the past few months have brought about a new beginning for Nate Eiesland, Alissa Ricci and Ryne Estwing. Through a change of heart and a twist of fate, the trio went into the studio two weeks after performing at SXSW and recorded On An On’s 10 track debut album Give In with the help of producer Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene). The record is a departure from the tender sound of Scattered Trees, giving the band more room to experiment with their sound.
Pacific Air
In 2012, Ryan and Taylor Lawhon released three tracks as KO KO, got a record deal less than a week later and soon after released their debut EP LONG LIVE KO KO as Pacific Air. Brotherly love has paid off for these two — with the help of a remix done by Ra Ra Riot, they’re on the rise with a debut album coming out on May 14, sure to bring us more breezy falsetto.
St. Lucia
In South Africa, Johannesburg-native Jean-Philip Grobler, aka St. Lucia is blowing Billboard toppers like Taylor Swift and The Lumineers out of the water. He released his first EP in 2012, each song delivering incredibly catchy dance beats and radiant vocals. After touring with Ellie Goulding earlier this year, you can be sure that Grobler knows how to rouse and brighten the spirits of his audience.
Haim
Another sibling ensemble will take the stage at this year’s Governors Ball — the beautiful Haim sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana. Though they grew up in the San Fernando Valley experimenting with Americana and folk, Haim have started incorporating R&B and pop into their sound over the past few years, receiving immense critical acclaim. The sounds on Haim’s 2012 EP, Forever, seamlessly bridge the dividing line between many different genres.
