ELLO GOVNA
This year the organizers of the Governors Ball Music Festival, took their act from the actual Governors Island , to Randall’s Island, making it easier for festival goers to go back and forth from the city. They also expanded the festival from one to two days. Bonus!
Looking over the lineup for the two day Festivus of music, there was a distinct difference between days one and two. Day one, being more electronic, dancey and rowdy, was built for speed. Day two, with the reemergence of Fiona Apple, Modest Mouse and Beck — was built for comfort. Either way, whatever your style, all the elements were in place for a perfect summer weekend.
Saturday
Four bands had already rolled through before our arrival: K. Flay, Art vs Science, Walk the Moon, Penguin Prison and Big Gigantic. If you’re reading that’s five bands. Word on the street was that pretty much all these bands performed their little hearts out, but special recognition was deserved for K.Flay, whom people seemed to be the most excited about. We heard her performance was raw, but that you could see “her upside and potential 12,827 miles away.” That’s pretty damn far.
What we were on time for was some sweet ass Santigold. Together with her arsenal of full bodied dancing white horses and audience members, she ripped through her normal assortment with tracks like “L.E.S. Artistes” and “Creator,” but highlighted her time with “Disparate Youth” singing about a “life worth fighting for.” After hearing that, it’s really all we needed on her end. Motivation achieved.
“Disco…Disco, Disco!” was the theme to our next stop, as James Murphy and Pat Mahoney, A.K.A, Special Disco Version, officially stamped our tickets to the ball with an ultra ridiculous dj set of tracks that pumped and primed an entire festival full of high energy dance fuel. And it was needed, as the rest of the days lineup read like a speed junkies wet dream — shall we?! It should be noted though, clearly the best parts of the day one, began with these two gents and were only amplified by these next two.
The tag team going by the Major Lazer moniker, were sent by the gods to complete musical mission: annihilate. And it felt like “woah now,” as Diplo and Switch constantly found ways to get the party going. Busting out their supa fast bass and dubby reggae, track busters like “Original Don” and “Hold the line” moved the crowd to new heights. Heights that were helped by an army of girls dancing on stage and with one young woman in particular performing NSFW strip clubesque acts. We don’t really go there on the Soul Dynamic, cause that’s not us, but whatever she calls her moving chants, it worked some sort of vodoo, as the crowd was highly entertained. Regardless, Major Lazer is definitely a need to see act. Between them and Special Disco Version — they stole day one. Hands down.
Next up: Atmosphere on Chromeo on Ducksauce on Passion Pit. Atmosphere came to the show with the utmost correctness, going deep into the crates, pulling out classics like “The Woman with the Tattooed Hands” and “Sunshine.” Slug and ANT still going strong after all these years is great for underground hip-hop. Long time fans were pleased, and the Minnesota legends well repped.
Chromeo kicked off the brothers Macklovitch’s power hours, by doing their thing for sure (David Macklovitch and DJ A—trak are bros!). Grooving the crowd with their brand of electro funky-funk, synthed-out dance music and Robert Palmer girls. Playing their go-tos as well, like “Hot Mess” and “Don’t Turn the Lights On,” people grooved out. Chromeo’s been playing this set for a while now though, so it’s about time for a change up. Give us a minute here though: What’s with all the girls on stage dancing people?! Every act is busting this out now. Not that we’re hating, because we love the ladies, LOVE, but it seems like groups should be getting more creative on that ass. New gimmicks can be fun, but what the hell, it’s a party!
Ducksauce did not forget to bring the house dressing. And by that, we mean one of the dopest house music acts out, once again turned up the jets and rocked out an energizer bunny festival crowd, still going strong and yearning to dance their asses off. The good-time boys, Atrak and Armand Van Helden, scratched and spun their way through the set of pandemonium with a lovely variety of fast paced house beat bombs, and favorites “Barbra Streisand” and the “Big Bad Wolf.” People could be heard howling in Jersey.
Passion Pit also brought down the house with “Sleepyhead” and “Little Secrets,” again pleasing many along the way. But as dusk settled, it was clear the people wanted Mr. Rager himself, as herds of them (people) left the Hype Machine Stage for the Honda Stage.
Now opinions on Kid Cudi’s set are all over the place. He has one of the strongest fan bases in the industry, hence the reason he snagged up the last spot on Saturday. He performed a bunch of his hits, our personal favorite being “Ghost,” which is a song that means a lot to a lot of people. What we will say is that as a musician, his talent is unmatched. He’s a grinder, with a brilliant sound and has an ultra unique technique. As a performer, he needs more consistency. Several times his voice was out of pitch or tone or plain cracked. Most of that has to do with the amount of emotion and energy he brings to the table — he leaves everything out there. And that’s all you can ask for. When 11 O’Clock rolled around, the crowd still hadn’t heard “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)” and to everyone’s disappointment, Govs ball cut the lights out on Mr. Cud. Not cool. Overall, Cudi’s performance was well received, but just needs slight polish.
Sunday
This was another picture perfect day. Unfortunately for us, we didn’t arrive to see the earlier bands, especially The Jezebels and the Freelance Whales, who we heard rocked it out. We did get to see one of our favorites and as always, they did not disappoint. No disappointment = mark of a great band, the best bands possess it. Definitely on their way, Phantogram was super connected Sunday, especially on the tracks “When I’m Small” and their set closer “Futuristic Casket.” A song where Josh and Sarah turned up the Soul power and served up chills and goosebumps to anyone listening. There was an inspired emotional intensity at that moment. They’re only going to get better people. They’re only going to get bigger. Arguably the best set of the day.
Sunday being the day we took it a bit slower as well, we tended to relax and soak up the sun a bit longer versus Saturday. We checked out glimpses of the Cults, heard Devendra Banhart was spectacular, and saw bits and pieces of Built to Spill and Cage the Elephant. But what we were really excited for next was Fiona Apple. And she hit us with an extremely raw, emotion filled and all over the place set, full of highs and lows. In looking at her you could tell she was having fun, but was the most in tune with herself during “On the Bound” and “I Know.” She was feeling it and so were we.
Onto Explosions in the Sky. This was our first time seeing both bands. Explosions did just that — exploded. For the entire duration of their set it was a thrashing fun time. With epic symphonic rifts, many from their latest LP Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, they brought the sun down with beautiful music while smiles could be seen all around. We’ll be seeing the fellas from Austin, Texas again here soon.
Wrapping it up were Modest Mouse and Beck. Which played like going back to high school and college. Modest Mouse with their eclectic rock jammed out with “Fire it up” and “Dashboard,” and took the older generation back to times that were full of a lot less responsibility, while introducing the young fans to a band that still has it. “Ocean Breathes Salty” was definite evidence of a time now come and gone. Reminiscing…
Enough of that…What can we say about Beck?! AMAZING! Reaching the end of a festival filled with fun, food and booze, people where wearing the tired. And Beck’s chill start only helped to ease us into a set that started with an easy going Guero and Modern Guilt flow, but ended with a bombardment of Odelay and Mellow Gold. And even though he didn’t close out with it, all hell broke lose when the star who’s music is proving to stand the test of time broke out with “Loser.” Adolescent youth, oh how we’ve missed you!
Modest Mouse | Photo by Carolyn Gitomer
Governors Ball in it’s second year proved once again to be a success. By bringing together the old and new, they’ve cooked up a decent recipe. What remains to be seen is if they can maintain their momentum, and if they have enough creativity to blend a weekend together that can encompass more variety of genres during both days. We’re nit picking, but that’s what you do when you assess the near flawless.
Writer | Rene Ramirez
Photographers | Rene Ramirez | Steve Adkins | Ditto Ramirez | Carolyn Gitomer
THE BOSS
We Want Those Shades
Singing Piano Dog
America
Miami Heat + Miami Vice = Champions
Beautiful People,Thumbs Up
Yup
Classic
No Words
More than meets the eye
Working the Sauce hard
Dynamic Individuals | Mr. Albers | Co-Creator Ditto Ramirez | the Party Robot
Lovely Couple
Enjoying…
