On Friday, June 5, The Governors Ball Music Festival will come to downtown New York for the fifth year in a row. The three-day festival transpires smack in the middle of Upper New York Bay on Governors Island, and is best known for its remote location, consistently fortuitous weather and music ranging in genre from Synthpop to Funktronica.
Headliners this summer are similar to those of last year’s set list, and include Drake, Lana Del Rey, The Black Keys, Deadmau5 and Florence and the Machine. For concertgoers that went last year for The Strokes or lead singer Julian Casablancas’ solo performance, this year there will be The Black Keys. For attendees that couldn’t get enough of Skrillex, secure a front-row spot at Deadmau5’s stage.
Although each year’s lineup seems to mimic, rather than trump, its predecessor, the lineup’s consistency is what keeps fans coming back. Unlike other New York music festivals that host musicians primarily of the same genre, like Electric Zoo Festival’s house and dubstep lineup, or Winter Jazzfest’s solo and group jazz performances, Governors Ball has something for all festival-lovers. Here are a few on this year’s set list to check out:
The Decemberists: Although The Decemberists have released several albums over the past decade, their most recent—What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, has been described as their most dynamic. The band primarily plays American folk rock, but also performs indie rock, progressive rock and baroque pop. In What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, they experiment with all four genres.
Big Gigantic: This Boulder, Colorado based DJ duo is still fairly new to the festival world, but has already made a name for themselves. Their live performances have been described as nothing less than transcendent, and their on-stage light shows are said to be as captivating as their tracks. They perform instrumental livetronica, incorporated with jazz and hip-hop. At their stage, expect to see colorful, blow-up saxophones being passed around the crowd.
Flying Lotus: The name behind Flying Lotus is Steven Ellison—a multi-genre electronic musician, rapper and producer. His music is generally categorized as hip-hop, and more intricately as intelligent dance music and experimental. Expect a more relaxed atmosphere by his stage, but be sure to listen closely to the rhythm. Flying Lotus is known for combining jazz, hip-hop and electronica all into a single track.
“Weird Al” Yankovic: “Weird Al” Yankovic may be the most captivating performer at this year’s festival, simply because his appearance and stage persona are guaranteed to be as satirical as his set list. Along with being a three-time Grammy winner, “Weird Al” is an actor, satirist and parodist. All three specialties will be evident in his song lyrics and stage performance. Prepare to dance—and laugh.
