It’s summer in New York City and time to kick off the Music Festival Season this coming weekend (May 31-June 2) with one of the finest – The Governors Ball Music Festival – on that lush “island” oasis in the middle of The City called Randall’s Island. GovBallNYC on May 31st – June 2nd is three days of diverse musical acts headlined this year by Tyler, The Creator, Florence + the Machine and The Strokes. With four stages (plus a side stage), it boasts the hottest rap, rock, pop, contemporary R&B and hip hop acts touring with a smattering of EDM. Whether you line the rail in wait for your fave, hang in the back with your crew, or graze the stages and food trucks all day, you can’t go wrong.
And if rock is your thing, GovBall’s line up delivers:
NY rock band The Strokes (Sunday 9:45) return for the third time to GovBall to headline Sunday, but it’s one of their few appearances in 2019 and the past few years. So catch their high energy show that’s sure to include their hits as well as new material (from forthcoming album) and some deeper cuts. They are only playing a few festivals, most overseas, so make the effort. If you need more of lead singer Julian Casablancas, his side project, The Voidz, hits the stage on Friday (and plays a GovBall After Dark show the Wednesday before).
Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine (Saturday 9:15 pm) does not need a new album or a song on Game of Thrones to boost her popularity as she has already danced and twirled her way into half of America’s hearts with her moody fully-instrumented indie rock and breathy but powerful voice. Expect a strong performance as they have been touring for the past year to promote 2018’s High As Hope and have a new single out, Moderation.
Soccer Mommy (Sunday 1:30 pm) aka singer-songwriter Sophie Allison may be up and coming but she’s made herself well-loved in NYC with her angsty lyrics, flat but plaintive voice, and distorted guitar. Rockers Sunflower Bean (Saturday 2:15 pm) are my discovery of 2018 and their local shows sell out so be sure to catch them here. Like many bands they rock harder live than on their recordings and will quickly have the early afternoon crowd riled up. Be sure to check out young Canadian 4-piece Calpurnia (Saturday 1:30 pm) for their fuzzy, melodic indie rock. They’ve been touring since releasing their first EP Scout and are hitting a few summer festivals. Folk-rock Lord Huron (Saturday 8:15 pm) are a do-not-miss with well-crafted atmospheric songs that can build and burn. Australia’s Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (Friday, 3 pm) now have a full-length debut album and in the midst of months of touring so expect a tight energetic set. Poppy indie rockers Hippo Campus (Friday 3:45 pm), touring to promote their sophomore album Bambi, is sure to deliver an upbeat set.
Asbury Park rockers Deal Casino (Friday, 12:15 pm) are the first to hit the stage on Friday. With two albums under their belt, a new single hitting that day, and on their first US tour, check them out because their raw rock is the real deal, and they only get 30 minutes to prove it. So get in line on time, grab a beverage, soak up the (hopefully) sunshine and jump straight to festival mode at the GovBallNYC stage.
And check out some of the non-rock acts. C’mon, broaden your horizons. Some of my best new discoveries were at GovBall. You can’t miss a note of the unclassifiable but commanding singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez (Friday 3:45 pm) or electronic duo Bob Moses (Sunday 5:45 pm) this year.
Head on over to the festival’s website for ticket info and more info!
