Governors Ball 2013 Preview

In 2010, New York’s Governors Island (QRO venue review), to the south of Manhattan & west of Brooklyn, hosted a series of free summer concerts called ‘Gone To Governors’.  In 2011, ‘Gone To Governors’ was gone, but in its place was the one-day electronica fest, Governors Ball (QRO recap).  Last year, Governors Ball left Governors Island for Randall’s in the northeast, betwixt Manhattan, Queens, and The Bronx for an expanded two-day event (QRO recap), one day electronica, the other indie.  But that just presaged Governors Ball 2013, with three full days of all kinds of music, electronica to folk, indie to mainstream, with little up-and-comers to massive headliners, Friday to Sunday, June 7th to 9th:

FRIDAY, JUNE 7th

Governors Ball NYC Stage Kings of Leon, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM Kings of Leon (QRO photos) are back!  Kings of Leon (QRO photos outdoors) are finally back!  The Tennessee brothers & a cousin Followill emerged amidst the revival of indie-rock early in this century/millennium, with critics calling them the ‘Southern Strokes’ and hailing the return of Confederate alt-rock with 2007’s excellent Because of the Times (QRO review).  The following year’s Only by the Night (QRO review) didn’t hit the same high critically, but saw them hit major highs commercially – as well as in the Grammys. Unfortunately, in rock music the highs often come with some lows.  2010 follow-up Come Around Sundown (QRO review) still found commercial success, but the rock ‘n’ roll life seemed to catch up with singer/frontman Caleb Followill, who rambled off stage at a concert, never to return.  The rest of the tour was cancelled, and a six-month hiatus was announced in late 2011 – but only now is the band back on the road.  Of course, they’re still headlining fests from coast to coast, and the songs are still strong.
Feist, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM When Canadian indie broke out in the middle of last decade, no one broke out more so than Leslie Feist with iPod ad tune “1,2,3,4” and The Reminder (QRO review).  Putting some bossanova into accomplished indie, she even flirted with Stephen Colbert (QRO live review of the NYC show right after that).  After all the attention, Feist (QRO photos) took some time off, but returned with a flourish in 2011 (QRO live review) thanks to the well-received follow-up Metals (QRO review), and now comes to Governors Ball (QRO photos at a festival).
Of Monsters and Men, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Things have moved quite fast for Iceland’s the next-gen alt-folk collective Of Monsters and Men (QRO live review), on the back of killer single “Little Talks” (QRO video) and debut full-length My Head Is an Animal (QRO review).  In addition to ruling the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival) and headlining bigger & bigger venues (QRO photos), they played Saturday Night Live last month (QRO Indie on Late Night TV).
Dinosaur Jr., 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Back & better than ever is Dinosaur Jr. (QRO photos at a festival)!  In the late eighties and early nineties, one of the biggest & best bands in the punk-grunge revolution was Dinosaur Jr. (QRO live review), combining a hippie-punk ethos (and artwork) with feedback-driven guitar from the legendary J Mascis (QRO solo album review). The trio (QRO live review) was also characterized by Mascis’ controlling tendencies, leading to the departure first of bassist Lou Barlow (QRO solo album review) for his Sebadoh (QRO live review) and eventually even beloved drummer Murph, with Mascis retiring the ‘Dinosaur Jr.’ moniker in 1997. But then the band reunited (QRO live review outdoors) – with original line-up! – to tour their re-release of old, Barlow-era records (QRO photos at a festival in St. LOUis). And they kept going (QRO photos at a festival), putting out three new records that are some of their best yet, Beyond (QRO review) and Farm (QRO review), with I Bet On Sky coming out last fall (QRO review). So revel in the glory (QRO photos at a festival) that is Dinosaur Jr. (QRO photos) – but bring your earplugs, because J’s ‘circle of amps’ is a force to be reckoned with (QRO photos at a festival).
Also: St. Lucia, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM – QRO photos in NYC Swear and Shake, 12:15 PM – 12:45
You’re Doing Great Stage Beach House, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM The guitar-and-keys pair of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally (QRO photos at a festival) may hail from Baltimore, but there’s a Francophile expanse to Beach House (QRO photos).  2008’s Devotion (QRO review) earned them many fans that felt that way (QRO live review), and 2010’s Teen Dream (QRO review) was shortlisted for ‘albums of the year’.  Last year they came out with Bloom (QRO review), and they’ve since been working the festivals (QRO photos at a festival).  And the sweet sounds work in the bright sunlight (QRO photos outdoors) or the dark of the evening (QRO photos at a festival).
Local Natives, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Silver Lake’s Local Natives (QRO photos at a festival) have been riding the alt-country/folk wave, but seem to be doing it better than most, charting in 2010 with debut Gorilla Manor and last year’s Hummingbird (QRO review), moving up to headliner tours (QRO live review), and well-received on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival).
Best Coast, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Los Angeles’ Best Coast (QRO live review) is a practical veteran at the still-new garage-scene (QRO photos at a festival), but a goodie (QRO photos at a festival), combining surf, garage, indie, and pop for a sound (QRO photos) that’s sure to be sweet coming from frontwoman Bethany Cosentino (QRO live review) outdoors (QRO photos outdoors).  They come to Governors Ball behind last year’s simplistic The Only Place (QRO review).
Poliça, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Minneapolis indie/electronic/R&B outfit Poliça (QRO photos at a festival) have been getting serious attention recently (and not just for the ‘ç’…). Also: Solid Gold, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM – QRO photos at a festival
Honda Stage Pretty Lights, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM Colorado-based producer Derek Vincent Smith (QRO photos at a festival) puts some energy behind his electronic work as Pretty Lights (QRO photos at a festival), with 2009’s Filling Up the City Skies free to download.
Young the Giant, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM These Irvine natives toiled for years as The Jakes, but when they changed their name to Young the Giant (QRO photos at a festival), things finally took off (QRO photos at a festival), with their self-(new) titled album & TV performances, including at MTV’s Video Music Awards.  They’ve since been gracing bigger (QRO photos) and bigger (QRO photos) stages & shows (QRO live review), including festivals (QRO photos at a festival) like Governors Ball.
Dillon Francis, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM American electronic artist Dillon Francis has worked with big name DJs like Calvin Harris (QRO album review) and Diplo (QRO photos).
Holy Ghost!, 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Electro-pop duo Alex Frankel & Nick Millhiser (QRO photos) forms the up-and-coming Holy Ghost! (QRO live review), who have toured with LCD Soundsystem (QRO live review, on tour with Holy Ghost!) and Cut Copy (QRO live review with Holy Ghost!), and put out their self-titled debut (QRO review) in 2011.  They come to Governors Ball on tour (QRO live review) behind latest single, “Dumb Disco Ideas”.
Also: Reignwolf, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Pacific Air, 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM – QRO photos
Skyy Vodka Tent Erykah Badu & The Cannabinoids, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM No festival is complete without an acclaimed diva, and Governors Ball got a good one in Erykah Badu (QRO photos at a festival on Governors Island).  The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter from Texan (QRO photos in Texas) blazed the neo-soul trail, earning comparisons to the likes of Billie Holiday & Nina Simone.  More recently she (QRO photos at a festival in NYC) stirred up controversy with her video for “Window Seat” by stripping down completely – and illegally, in Dealey Plaza (inspired by the video for “Lessons Learned” by Matt & Kim – QRO photos of Matt & Kim with Badu at a festival).
Crystal Castles, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Most electronic acts are restrained on stage, even when their crowd is going nuts, but the duo of Ethan Kath & Alice Glass (QRO live review) match their audience’s fervor – which has gotten them booted from more than one stage, especially at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).  So even if you fall on the ‘hate’ side of this love-them-or-hate-them act (from Canada, surprisingly…), show up for the spectacle… (QRO live review)
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM If you don’t know anything else about this artist, check him out purely based on his two names: his band name, obviously, but also his actual name, Orlando Higginbottom.  Raised on classical music, Higginbottom has developed a quirky sound that mixes classical with elements of electro-pop and jungle, of all things.
The Knocks, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Electronic duo Ben ‘B-Roc’ Ruttner and James ‘JPatt’ Patterson form The Knocks (QRO photos at a festival).
Bear Mountain, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM Electro band Bear Mountain (QRO live review) come to Governors Ball behind their debut EP XO, while on tour with Bloc Party (see below).

SATURDAY, JUNE 8th

Governors Ball NYC Stage Guns n’ Roses, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM G’ N’ F’ N’ R’ – Guns n’ Fuckin’ Roses.  You know them – oh yes, you know them (QRO photos at a festival).  The biggest band to emerge from Los Angeles’ big eighties hard rock scene, G’ N’ R’ took the world by storm behind such mega-records as Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion I and II, and killer singles like “Welcome To the Jungle”, “Sweet Child o’ Mine”, “Paradise City”, “November Rain”, and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”.  There wasn’t a bigger star than lead singer Axl Rose – except maybe lead guitarist Slash (QRO live review), along with ‘classic’ line-up members Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan (QRO photos at a festival), and Steven Adler.  The band lived the hard rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle to the fullest, especially Rose and his outsized ego, as basically the definition of ‘sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll’… Of course, this took its toll, with acrimony causing everyone but Rose to leave after 1993’s “The Spaghetti Incident?”.  Rose found new members (like guitarist Buckethead – QRO photos at a festival) and promised follow-up Chinese Democracy – and promised, and promised…  It wasn’t until fifteen years and fourteen million dollars later that Democracy finally arrived, but the band has continued, with various other members around Rose (such as bassist, and former Replacement, Tommy Stinson – QRO album review).  And the notorious Rose hasn’t lost his ability to make controversy, such as refusing to appear at Guns n’ Roses’ Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2011.  But even if you were sick of him twenty years ago, it’s still G’ N’ F’ N’ R’…
Cut Copy, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM The international electro-dance scene has seriously touched Down Under, and one of the biggest acts coming out of Australia these days is Melbourne’s Cut Copy (QRO live review).  Breaking through in 2007 with the acclaimed In Ghost Colours (QRO review), Cut Copy (QRO photos outdoors) followed that up in 2011 with Zonoscope (QRO review).  While some think it’s a step down, no one can argue that their live show is anything les than electric (QRO live review).
Divine Fits, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM The term ‘super-group’ is bandied about way too often these days, but one act actually living up to it is Divine Fits (QRO photos at first official show).  Take Britt Daniel, the main man of excellent alt-rock outfit Spoon (QRO live review), add Dan Boeckner, one-half of the writing team behind Wolf Parade (QRO live review) and Handsome Furs (QRO live review), plus drummer Sam Brown of New Bomb Turks, and you’ve got A Thing Called Divine Fits (QRO review), who are ready to rock Governors Ball (QRO photos at a festival).
Japandroids, 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Vancouver garage-rock guitar-and-drums (QRO photos at a festival) outfit Japandroids have moved from festivals up north to those in America (QRO photos at a festival) & Europe (QRO photos in Europe), and are one of the best guitar & drums duos out there (QRO photos at a festival), even at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).  They come to Governors Ball behind last year’s amazing Celebration Rock (QRO review), which was QRO’s Album of 2012.
Wild Nothing, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Sun-soaked, fuzzy, dream pop that should go well with a sun-soaked festival. Wild Nothing (QRO live review) is Jack Tatum’s wonderful solo project (QRO live review), and with Nocturne (QRO review), the follow-up to his wonderful first album Gemini (QRO album review) out last year, there’s sure to be plenty of new music afoot (QRO photos at a festival). Also: Moon Hooch, 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
You’re Doing Great Stage Animal Collective, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM Amongst the main highly praised experimental acts at Primavera Sound, none is more highly praised or as experimental as Animal Collective.  2009’s Merriweather Post Pavilion (QRO review) got the kind of praise that makes one sick of a band (though it was certainly an improvement on their prior release, Strawberry Jam), though last year’s Centipede Hz was called a bit of a repeat by some (QRO review).  By this time, the electronics-and-more collective is commonplace, but this Baltimore outfit still rule the roost (QRO live review).  Like a lot of electronica, however, they do struggle live outdoors (QRO photos outdoors at a festival), but should do better at night (QRO photos at a festival in the evening).
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Alex Ebert, former singer of Ima Robot (QRO interview), got a ton of buzz right after forming Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (QRO live review) – is it justified, or just PR hype (QRO spotlight on)?  Judge for yourself (QRO photos at a festival) – but watch out for him jumping into the crowd (QRO live review), like at so many festivals (QRO photos at a festival)!
Dirty Projectors, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM What began as a solo project by songwriter David Longstreth has become so much more (QRO photos).  His Dirty Projectors (QRO photos at a festival) have not only grown in size (with three female co-vocalists – QRO photos at a festival), but also acclaim, thanks to 2009’s Bitte Orca (QRO review), followed up last year with Swing Lo Magellan (QRO Magellan tour photos).  Their arrhythmic stylings married to pitch-perfect harmonies take some getting used to (QRO live review), but many have (QRO photos at a festival), allowing for experiments like Rise Above, Longstreeth’s ‘reimagined’ back-to-front cover, from memory, of Black Flag’s seminal punk record Damaged, and performing their Getty Address top-to-bottom (QRO photos at a festival) to numerous festival appearances (QRO photos), even headlining (QRO photos headlining a festival).
MS MR, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM New York electro-rock duo MS MR (QRO photos) comes to Governors Ball after the release of their debut full-length, Secondhand Rapture. Also: The Rubens, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
Honda Stage Nas, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM One of the most consistently strong rappers for more years than you realize has been Nas (QRO photos at a festival).  His 1994 debut Illmatic has been consistently ranked as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, and follow-up It Was Written made him internationally famous (as did a ten-year feud with Jay-Z).  More recently, he and Damien Marley of reggae fame & family collaborated both on record & live (QRO photos together at a festival), donating all the royalties to African charities, and last year Nas put out his tenth studio album, Life Is Good.  Yes it is for Nas.
Kendrick Lamar, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM Meanwhile, Honda Stage also a much newer hip-hop hit, Kendrick Lamar (QRO photos at a festival), who got notice with his 2010 mixtape, Overly Dedicated, and lived up to the hype last year with debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city – he’s got no “Fuckin’ Problems” (QRO video).
alt-J, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Among all the overnight alt-successes, maybe no one has done it as quickly or as majorly as alt-J (QRO live review).  Also known as ‘∆’ – that’s what you get when press the ‘alt’ and ‘J’ buttons on your keyboard, the indie-more quartet went from playing tiny places at terrible hours in 2012 (QRO photos) to winning their native England’s prestigious Mercury Prize later that year (QRO photos at a U.K. festival), and now come back to America playing much, much larger spaces (QRO photos).
Paper Diamond, 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Colorado-based producer Alex B recently began exploring his creating & performing side as Paper Diamond. Also: GRIZ, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics, 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Skyy Vodka Tent Thievery Corporation, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM D.C.’s multi-cultural electronic all-star duo of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton (QRO live review) bring not just their expansive, chill, globe-trotting signature sound (and some revolutionary ideals often missing in the ‘party time’, apolitical attitude of electronica), most recently with 2011’s Culture of Fear (QRO review), but also an eye-opening live performance with a fifteen-person band and grand light show (QRO photos) – they’re not like other computerized acts that just press ‘Play’ and collect their check.
Azealia Banks, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Harlem rapper Azealia Banks has made more of a splash in Great Britain (QRO photos across the pond) than in America, but is still a welcome addition to Governors Ball (QRO photos at a festival across the other, bigger pond).
Fucked Up, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM While Holy Fuck (QRO live review) lost the Polaris Music Prize in 2008, that kind of a name didn’t stop Fucked Up from winning it the following year with Chemistry of Common Life (though it almost derailed The Pool Parties across the river from Randall’s Island at Williamsburg Waterfront in Brooklyn – QRO photos), and the band followed that up with singles collection Couple Tracks (QRO review) and 2011’s concept rock opus, David Comes to Life. Whether their hardcore music lives up to praise rarely given to hardcore is still up for debate, but what isn’t is how nuts the crowd goes (QRO photos at a festival) for this act out of Toronto (QRO photos outdoors), with singer/frontman Damian Abraham bringing it, shirtless and crazy (QRO photos at a festival).
Icona Pop, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM “I Love It” – with that song Icona Pop (QRO spotlight on) jumped from just another Swedish electro-pop act into growing stardom.  Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo (QRO interview) having been bringing it live ever since, from small headlining gigs (QRO live review) to massive opening slots (QRO live review).
Also: Robert DeLong, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM – QRO photos at a festival in NYC

SUNDAY, JUNE 9th

Governors Ball NYC Stage Kanye West, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM I’mma gonna let you finish, but there is no bigger music star in the world than Kanye West. No one is more talked about, no one is more known, no one can get the kind of attention as Kanye West. He’s one of the best-selling artists today, as well as being one of the most critically acclaimed, a particularly rare feat. He’s also notorious for such unscripted moments as taking the mike from Taylor Swift at last year’s MTV Video Music Awards, and saying that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” during a live Katrina benefit show held immediately after the hurricane (note that he apologized to Swift, on the first episode of Jay Leno’s short-lived primetime talk show, as well as later admitting he was wrong to say that about Bush, when the former President called it one of the worst moments of his Presidency). Oh, and he’s a major producer (Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, even Justin Bieber remixes), and his GOOD Music label is home to the likes of John Legend, Common, and Kid Cudi. West did have a somewhat dicey festival appearance a few years back, headlining Bonnaroo, but you know that the consummate showman will be in full force at Governors Ball, on the back of his 2011 collaboration with the also-huge Jay-Z, Watch the Throne (QRO review) and latest Yeezus, ready to drop right after Governors Ball.
Grizzly Bear, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM Things have gotten very big for Grizzly Bear (QRO live review), surprising many who thought the humble, intricate Brooklyn outfit (QRO live review) was too complex for mass appeal. Yet mass appeal is what the group has gotten off of recent records Shields and Veckatimest, as their sonic beauty transcends (QRO photos). They’ve even played Stephen Colbert’s ‘ColbChella’ (QRO photos at ColbChella ‘012), which is surely a highlight in any act’s career (QRO photos at a festival).
Foals, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Oxford, England’s Foals (QRO photos) still haven’t quite shaken off the backhanded compliment label of ‘internet buzz band’, even with 2010’s well-received sophomore release Total Life Forever (QRO review) or this year’s follow-up Holy Fire, but you should really see & judge for yourself (QRO live review).
Portugal. The Man, 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM This West Coast draws from far up its shore with Alaska’s Portugal. The Man (QRO photos at a festival). The rambling grunge outfit garnered new fans with 2007 sophomore release Church Mouth (QRO review), and its unhinged alt-rock (QRO live review), though slipped somewhat since then, even while finally playing Europe (QRO photos at a European festival) and becoming a festival favorite (QRO photos at a festival). Their major label debut The Mountain In the Cloud (QRO review), is more psych-lite, but they still bring it live (QRO live review), and come to Governors Ball (QRO photos at a festival) right after the release of follow-up Evil Friends.
HAIM, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim, along with drummer Dash Hutton (QRO photos at a festival), only started putting out music last year, but have already been turning heads (QRO photos), thanks to great single “Don’t Save Me”. Also: The Revivalists, 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
You’re Doing Great Stage The xx, 8:20 PM – 9:30 PM Almost overnight, south London’s The xx (QRO photos) went from little known to massive acclaim. Even before debut record xx (QRO review) actually came out, the dark, post-punk revival act was garnering lots of attention (QRO photos at a festival). They quickly jumped from opening (QRO live review) to headlining, as they were overshadowing the headliners. They also saw Baria Qureshi depart (QRO photos with her), leaving them a three piece (QRO photos at a festival). Certainly subdued, they are much better suited for nighttime (QRO photos at a festival) than at chattering rock clubs (QRO video), but have found a way to make it work outdoors (QRO live review outdoors) and at festivals (QRO photos at a festival) far and wide (QRO photos at a festival). The group comes to Governors Ball (QRO photos) behind last year’s highly anticipated follow-up, Coexist (QRO review).
Beirut, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM While Zach Condon began his instrumental outfit Beirut (QRO photos at a festival) as a solo project (QRO photos at a festival), he’s since developed it into a full band (QRO photos at a festival), featuring just about every instrument you’ve ever heard of (QRO photos at a festival), most recently on 2011’s The Rip Tide (QRO review).
Deerhunter, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM No one was more prolific in 2008 than Deerhunter’s singer/guitarist Bradford Cox (QRO live review), who not only put out the well-received Microcastle (QRO review), but also included a second disc of all-original bonus material, Weird Era Cont. (QRO review) – and oh, yeah, released a solo record (as Atlas Sound – QRO live review), Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (QRO review) that beat ‘em both. And, after a hiatus & Atlas Sound’s Logos (QRO review), 2011 saw Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) reach even higher thanks to Halcyon Digest (QRO review) – and this year they follow it up with Monomania (QRO review). Known for electric shows whether as the Sound (QRO live review) or with Deerhunter (QRO live review outdoors), Cox & Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) have been as prolific with the festivals (QRO photos at a festival).
Also: Steel Pulse, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Roadkill Ghost Choir, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
Honda Stage The Avett Brothers, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM One of the bigger – and better – hits of today’s new Americana (QRO photos at a festival), The Avett Brothers (QRO photos) won a wide audience with 2009’s fine country of I and Love and You (QRO review), including playing on The Grammys with Bob Dylan, and now come to Governors Ball (QRO photos at a festival), with last year’s follow-up The Carpenter (QRO review). Their country can even fit in the big city (QRO photos at a festival).
The Lumineers, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM Folk trio from Colorado (QRO photos at a festival), The Lumineers (QRO live review) are known for their songs riddled with cello, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and charming vocals. Their songs are jauntily and nonabrasive tunes with a sing-along vibe (QRO photos). The have been touring (QRO photos at a festival) in support of last spring’s self-titled release.
Gary Clark Jr., 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Austin’s Gary Clark Jr. (QRO photos at a festival in Austin) is the latest artist to be said to be ‘bringing blues back’ – when did it ever leave? And if it did, it’s surely come back many times since then (just look at Jack White…) – but Clark (QRO live review) is certainly keeping it going, like on Austin City Limits (QRO live review on ACL).
Cold War Kids, 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM After a string of EPs, Fullerton, California’s Cold War Kids (QRO photos) blew up in 2006 with their full-length debut, Robbers & Cowards.  While 2008’s Loyalty to Loyalty (QRO review) suffered something of a sophomore slump, 2011’s Mine Is Yours (QRO review) and this year’s Miss Lonelyhearts (QRO review) lifted things somewhat, and their live show (QRO photos) is still electric, especially outside (QRO live review outdoors) or at festivals (QRO photos at a festival on Randall’s Island), as they still ring with singles (QRO photos), from the more recent “Mine Is Yours” and “Audience” (QRO video) to their break-outs “We Used To Vacation”, “Hospital Beds” (QRO video), and “Hang Me Out To Dry” (QRO video).
The Vaccines, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM The Vaccines (QRO live review) have grown up (somewhat) with last fall’s Come of Age (QRO review), with their garage rock maybe finally earning some all the attention they got (QRO photos at a festival) from debut What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? (QRO review). Also: On An On, 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Skyy Vodka Tent Bloc Party, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM Known for their ubiquitous single, “Banquet”, Bloc Party (QRO photos) is one of the few gems to come out of the post-punk revival in the early 2000’s.  The four-piece band (QRO photos) has become a household name within the U.K. region, and gaining fans in America (QRO photos), as well as nearby Canada (QRO photos in Canada).  They come back to Governors Ball (QRO photos at a festival) behind last year’s Four (QRO review) their follow-up to the so-so Intimacy (QRO review) & A Weekend In the City (QRO review), and the band’s first since singer Kele Okereke’s lame solo record, The Boxer (QRO review).
Yeasayer, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM The experimental Yeasayer (QRO live review outdoors) combine electronica, rock, and even tribal sounds, making them sound like the music of the cyberpunk future, multi-cultural in ways you’d never foresee (QRO live review).  They’ve been steadily building since 2007’s All Our Cymbals (QRO review) and the futuristic “2080” (QRO video) & “Wait For the Summer” (QRO video), and managed to beat the sophomore curse with 2010’s impressive Odd Blood (QRO review) and songs “Ambling Alp” (QRO video) & “O.N.E.” (QRO video).  They’ve also got a fascinating stage presence (QRO photos outdoors), especially at festivals (QRO photos at a festival) – even overseas (QRO live review in the U.K.) & in foreign-speaking lands (QRO photos at a German festival).  The group (QRO photos) comes to Governors Ball behind last year’s Fragrant World (QRO review) and songs like “2080” (QRO video) – though guitarist Anand Wilder (QRO interview) has stopped wearing his camo jumpsuits.
Twin Shadow, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM With one of the best debut album of 2010, Forget, produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear (see above), George Lewis Jr. (a.k.a. Twin Shadow – QRO photos) shot up on the hype meter.  Turns out, the ‘80s new wave-influenced pop of the Dominican Republic born musician (QRO photos at a festival) actually lived up to its reputation. Sophisticated melodies and catchy hooks abound, the tracks of Forget easily transitioned from haunting poetics to infectious dance numbers (QRO photos at a festival), and he’s lived up to that level with last year’s follow-up, Confess, which he tours (QRO live review).
Freddie Gibbs, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Originally from Gary, Indiana (QRO photos in Middle America – hey, that’s the same hometown as the Jackson clan…), Freddie Gibbs (QRO photos at an NYC festival) has been compared to none other than Tupac Shakur (but was Tupac that great, or just his posthumous cult of memory?…). Also: Cherub, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Official pre-party & after parties:

There are also some official parties happening late at night with artists from Governors Ball and not, Thursday to Sunday:

-Kate Boy, with Hey Champ and Gemini Club @ Santos Party House (QRO venue review), 6/6 @ 9:00 PM

An official pre-party from Popshop folks (QRO review of Popshop party).

-Japandroids, with Crocodiles @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (QRO venue review), 6/7 @ 11:00 PM

-Poliça, with Solid Gold @ Brooklyn Bowl (QRO venue review), 6/7 @ 11:30 PM

-Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (DJ set), with Kidnap Kid at Webster Hall (QRO venue review), 6/7 @ 11:30 PM

-The Revivalists, with Roadkill Ghost Choir and Swear & Shake @ Bowery Ballroom (QRO venue review), 6/7 @ 11:30 PM

-Dinosaur Jr., with Reignwolf @ Irving Plaza (QRO venue review), 6/7 @ 12:00 AM

-Paper Diamond, with Mt Eden, Candyland, and DotEXE @ Webster Hall (QRO venue review), 6/8 @ 11:00 PM

-HAIM, with Kate Boy at Brooklyn Bowl (QRO venue review), 6/8 @ 11:30 PM

-GRIZ, with Cherub @ Gramercy Theatre (QRO venue review), 6/8 @ 12:00 AM

-Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, with Hollis Brown and Shakey Graves @ Brooklyn Bowl (QRO venue review), 6/9 @ 9:00 PM

For festival website, go here: http://governorsballmusicfestival.com/