Will this year bring rain or shine? Will it be epic or a complete dud? The real question is — who the fuck cares? We’re ready for three days of whatever the music and weather gods decide to bring us. Our job now is to just be thankful and shut the hell up. Here are this years bands to watch.
Contributors | Elizabeth Ramirez, Christian Ramirez and Cassie Farley
Bjork
Why you should check her out: Cause it’s Bjork!!!!! We really shouldn’t have to say more, but we will. The icelandic princess is having one hell of a year, becoming a mother again (just checking to see if you’re reading), dropping a new album, Vulnicura, touring and being showcased at the MOMA — she’s killin it. Coming off the heels of all this, the excitement to see her in this environment is palpable. She also DJ’s in her spare time…
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Benjamin Booker
Why you should check him out: He rocks harder than your grandma’s best day in the kitchen during Thanksgiving. Don’t care how good she brings it with her stuffing, Booker goes that hard people. Raw, electric and in command of his ephemeral guitar licks, he’ll shock ya with a style that’s a more ‘punk blues,’ version of Gary Clark Jr. Let’s get a rivalry going.
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Why you should check em out: The Canadian electro funk duo Chromeo is constituted by David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel. The two have called themselves “the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture.” Chromeo’s throwback 80’s sound hits the spot for all devoted 80’s junkies. Their music sparks a feeling of nostalgia that sends you reaching back for that Members Only jacket on your way out for a cruise in that costume Back to the Future Delorean DMC-12 replica.
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This seductive kitten, and we say this completely hating cats, is not to be ignored. Lana Del Rey infuses your soul with her alluring, soprano voice and addicting, sad stories of doomed love, damned dreams, and scandalous cravings. Her latest album, Ultraviolence, was largely produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, who cleverly introduced his signature deeper shade of blues and psychedelic rock sound into her melancholy melodies — making a rare and compelling album. Aside from her music, Del Rey’s vintage and cinematic aesthetic look makes us look forward to seeing her live as we think it should be quite a show. Songs to listen out for include “West Coast,” “Blue Jeans,” “Summertime Sadness” and “Ride.”
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White Lung
Why you should check em out: Who really wants Black Lung? We figure this is an ultra healthy alternative to your cigarette sucking, binge drinking, out of control life, don’t you? And your mother would agree. In serious addition to that, who doesn’t love a bunch of Canadian punk rockers who thrash, give zero fucks and aren’t afraid to get down? If that doesn’t suit your rock n’ roll lifestyle, “Blame Canada.”
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Rae Sremmurd
Why you should check em out: They’re this generation’s Kriss Kross . Busting onto the scene with “No Flex Zone,” the brothers based in Atlanta are straight up hit makers. And it totally makes sense since they’re from the land of the King, Tupelo. If you don’t know what we’re talking about google “King + Tupelo” and see what you get. With the help of producer Mike Will Made It, this hip-hop duo show no signs of slowing down, just turning up. Other tracks to get on are “No Type” and “Throw Sum Mo.”
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Sharon Van Etten
Why you should check her out: You will fall in love with her voice. Men (and women), you ever heard a sound that rocked you to the core? That beautiful noise of another’s soul speaking to yours? 2014 brought us Are We There, one of that year’s best albums, showcasing Sharon as gentle, powerful and subtle with a juxtaposed calming thunder. Van Etten’s sound layers in the artistry of Patti Smith, Beach House and Cat Power and makes it uniquely her own, creating vivid stories you can’t help but connect with. Enough for you?
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Drake
Why you should check him out: Cause he needs to make up for whatever that Coachella performance was. He’s probably still washing Madonna’s taste out of his mouth (one would hope). That said, he’s this year’s Outkast, we’re interested in seeing if he’ll drop the sensetive jams for what he knows we all want — the turn up!
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Kiesza
Why you should check her out: She sings a mighty mean rendition of “What is Love.” Take that SNL. She’s another Canadian who’s quickly becoming an EDM pop sensation, with hits such as “Hideaway,” “Giant In My Heart,” and the banger she appears on with Skrillex and Diplo, “Take U There.” Her time is now.
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The Decemberists
Why you should check em out: The Decemberists are an American folk rock band from Portland, Oregon. Members include Colin Meloy, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen. The band’s name refers to the Decembrist revolt, an 1825 insurrection in Imperial Russia, and on January 20th, 2015 the band released their 7th studio album What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World. To honor both the release of the new album and the Decemberists’ success as a whole, January 20th was officially declared “Decemberists Day” in the group’s hometown of Portland, Oregon by mayor Charlie Hales. Their sound is interesting, lyrics are thoughtful and often reflect historical events. A few of our favorites are “Don’t Carry It All,” from their album The King is Dead, and from their new album check out “A Beginning Song” and “Philomena.”
Audience participation is a must with these guys, so make sure to be there. It’s guaranteed to be a show that you won’t forget!
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Hot Chip
Why you should check em out: You love dancing. You love it a lot. This band can’t disappoint and playing behind their new album, Why Make Sense, we can’t wait to tear up the ball to the classics, “Over and Over,” “Ready for the Floor,” and our new favorite “Hurarache Lights.” The self-proclaimed British, “Middle-Class White Kids” will make you move.
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From recording albums in basement-turned-makeshift-studios to Grammy winners over the last decade, The Black Keys hardly need an introduction. They are no doubt one of the highlights of Govs Ball. The ever-evolving duo singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney have produced intelligent and artistic music that embodies a vast collection of crunchy mixed sounds ranging from bluesy rock to sixties soul to distressed psychedelic tunes.
Our hearts are beating just thinking about hearing them perform their latest hit, “Weight of Love,” from their eighth and most popular album, Turn Blue. When it comes to The Black Keys our fav list is ongoing like one of those ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ stories that we grew up with, in which the ending always changed depending on which track you chose to follow. On Sunday, our only disappointment will be time, or should we say the lack of time that The Black Keys are set to perform, which will ultimately darken our towering wish list.
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