We are just two days away from the fourth annual Governors Ball, a (semi) new festival that’s held on NYC’s Randall’s Island. Are you headed to the fest? Do you wish you were? Keep an eye out all week because Allston Pudding will be providing previews, tips, and tricks for all things Gov Ball.
Check out our day-by-day preview of the fest, these are our picks of who you’d be an idiot to miss this weekend. We’ve also done all the research on the little names that are hidden musical gems so you don’t have to. Listen up!
FRIDAY, JUNE 6
Also could be dubbed the soundtrack to HBO’s “Girls” day.
Little Names: Don’t Miss…
The Chain Gang of 1974
When: 12:15 – 12:40
Where: Gotham Tent
Simplified Genre: Indie / Electronica
Interesting Online Tidbit: This artist used to be a part of 30H!3. Now hear me out, remember how hard the drops that 30H!3 produced made you dance during your middle school glory? You’ve grown up since then – and so has Kamtin Mohager. But I promise the dancing will be of the same excited caliber, minus the braces and jelly bracelets.
Sounds Like: The 80s infused electronic dance interpretation of the first real week of summer weather after a far too long winter / that feeling of victory when buying a really sexy great new outfit, Chvrches, Small Pools, Empire Of The Sun
Selling Point: It’s one of the first act of the first day of this three day music festival that you’ve been planning and obsessing over for weeks. And you’re there at noon. You’re stoked like nobody else, and what better way to celebrate and kick off the weekend than dancing to this high energy set? The Chain Gang of 1974’s set is sure to be filled with synths, dramatic hooks, and hopefully the hair swishing.
Drowners
When: 12:45 – 1:30
Where: Big Apple Stage
Simplified Genre: Indie Rock
Interesting Online Tidbit: Evidently the lead singer moved to NYC originally to pursue a career in modeling so he’s beautiful and talented.
Sounds Like: If you took The Strokes circa 2001 and put a bit of a kick in their step, added The Kooks, and said, “run free!”
Selling Point: If I walk through the festival gates and hear the soft crooning voice of Matthew Hitt in the distance drawing me in closer and closer, I have no doubt that everything-in-it’s-right-place-feeling will waft over me. Drowners promise a mellow set perfect for cracking open that first cold beer. By the end of the set you’ll be making a mental note to add this band to your playlist. Take the critics complain that they are reinventing the wheel with a grain of salt. Drowners feels light, happy, and dudes are pulling off some tight little riffs in there if you’re paying attention. Sure, maybe what they’re doing isn’t groundbreaking, but they have their shit together.
Run the Jewels
When: 1:30 – 2:15
Where: Honda Stage
Simplified Genre: Hip-Hop
Interesting Online Tidbit: Back in the day, Killer Mike was signed to a major label in the more conventional hip-hop world. He just so happens to have made his debut on Outkasts’ Stankonia. What do we think? Will Andre 3000 invite his old pal Mike to join him when Outkast closes out this day?
Sounds Like: Two BFFs vibin’ off of one another amidst infections beats thinking, “damn, my buddy is so DOPE!” You’ll be checking your watch wondering how the heavy bassline is rattling your chest cavity so early in the afternoon, but you won’t be mad.
Selling Point: The two have been credited as a solid and rewarding alternative to the infamous Watch The Throne duo. Oh, also…you can buy a “Run the Jewels Herb Grinder” on their website. Really.
Big Names: Don’t Miss…
Washed Out
When: 3:45 – 4:45
Where: Gotham Tent
Simplified Genre: Chillwave, electronica
Interesting Online Tidbit: You totally recognize his single “Feel It All Around” from the opening sequence of Portlandia.
Sounds Like: A cross between Tycho and Beach House, sometimes described as “daytime psychedelia.”
Selling Point: I’ve never heard a bad thing about a Washed Out show. Ernest Green is a man who has mastered his sound and delivers consistently, it’s a win-win. Green’s music is layered and complex but the hands behind it all pull it off with notable ease. When topped with his ethereal vocals, Washed Out’s energy is so palpable, you can’t stop but breathe a little easier and smile a little more.
Grimes
When:8:15 – 9:15
Where: Gotham Tent
Simplified Genre: Electronic synthpop
Interesting Online Tidbit: Her Twitter is pretty damn funny. In 60 seconds of scrolling I learned that she is really into Game of Thrones, owls, and that she often feels that puppies are con-artists who know they are cute.
Sounds Like: A blend of Enya and Aphex Twin. No, I know, that sounds ridiculous but take a listen…IT MAKES SENSE. She (Claire Boucher) cites folks like Nine Inch Nails, How to Dress Well, and Swans as large influences.
Selling Point: Hey, this girl won a Juno Award for electronic album of the year. Have you ever seen the set she did at KEXP? Boucher would grow a third arm if she could because this girl manipulates all of her pedals, dials, and keys solo. I’ve always found solo artists like her absolutely fascinating to watch as they put the sonic puzzle together right before your eyes.
Damon Albarn
When:9:15 – 10:30
Where: Honda Stage
Simplified Genre: Britpop, alt rock, electronic, alt hip-hop, etc.
Interesting Online Tidbit: Albarn has taken strong anti-war stances in the past and present. He’s actively used his voice to speak out about injustices including during his acceptance speech at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2001 shortly after the September 11 attacks.
Sounds Like: A friggen genius of our era.
Selling Point: I heard the title track off of Albarn’s Everyday Robots on NPR’s All Songs Considered a few months back and experienced that rare moment where you rewind the podcast just to listen to the same segment three times. He’s the frontman of Blur. He’s the principal songwriter of Gorillaz. You must go. I know Outkast is on at the same time, you miss the beginning of the set for this guy, he is worth it!