It’s hard to believe how fast 2018 has gone and that it’s nearly June. This means one thing, Governors Ball is right around the corner. I’m confident that you guys are already sure of a few big-time headlining acts that you are locked in to see. I don’t need to tell you to see Eminem or Jack White. But what I can do is highlight a few bands of various style and degrees of success who are playing earlier in the day that I recommended you ignore your hangover and get to Randall’s Island Park a little bit earlier in the day to make your festival experience that much fuller.
Here are a few of those artists that we hope you get to the grounds a little bit earlier to catch next weekend:
Friday, June 1:
Slaves 12:15-12:45 (Gov Ball NYC Stage)
British punk rock duo Slaves will kick off the festival on the main stage with a high-energy performance that should kick the festival into high gear right off the bat. They’ll bring plenty of British with and power so early in the day and it will honestly be quite hard for whoever follows to match
Pond (1:30-2:15) (Gov Ball NYC Stage)
If you’ve been paying attention here, you are well familiar with Pond by now. If not, it’s the band fronted by former Tame Impala bassist Nick Allbrook as well as current Tame Impala member Jay Watson. They go fully in on the garage-psych rock that Tame used to do earlier in their career, with a weird edge that is truly something of their own entirely.
Wolf Alice (2:15-3:00) (Bacardi Stage)
Again, it feels weird putting them on this considering they already played to a packed room at Brooklyn Steel last winter, but if you’re unfamiliar with them but like some super-charged indie rock, don’t miss these guys.
Alvvays (3:00-3:45) (Gov Ball NYC Stage)
Same as before, these guys are ones you probably already know. But if they’ve yet to come across your path, get to the Gov Ball NYC stage at 3pm and be taken away by the sweet dreamy sounds of Alvvays.
Saturday, June 2
The Regrettes (12:15-12:45) (Honda Stage)
I have yet to see Los Angeles punk group The Regrettes (though Bryan caught them last year) but have heard nothing but good things about their live show. If you’re on the grounds early enough, be sure to head to the Honda Stage to see what they’re all about.
Jay Electronica (2:15-3:00) (Bacardi Stage)
While he won’t need much of an introduction for most, it’s also fair to consider that Jay Electronica has been out of the spotlight more than we ever expected and many potential fans have yet to discover his work. If you’re a fan of some real hip-hop, check out his performance at the Bacardi Stage.
The Menzingers (3:00-3:45) (Honda Stage)
It’s quite fitting that The Menzingers play the same day as The Gaslight Anthem as both brands of heartland rock and roll is a fitting match. These guys are a big deal in their own scene but deserve a much bigger audience. That could be you if you head to the Honda Stage around 3 pm on Saturday.
Sunday, June 3:
Middle Kids (1:30-2:15) (Gov Ball NYC Stage)
Australian indie rockers debut album Lost Friends was just released by Domino Records, which should be enough to warrant you getting there at 1:30 to catch their set full of big indie rock jams that are perfect for a nice summer day on festival grounds.
The Struts (3:00-3:45) (Honda Stage)
A lot of fellow photographers I know have raved about English rockers The Struts who apparently are a blast to not only photograph but rock out to. I am excited to finally see what the buzz is all about come Sunday.
Margo Price (3:45-4:45) (Bacardi Stage)
I’ve caught Margo Price a few times at Newport Folk Festival, which is a festival tailor-made for her country/folk sounds. It will be interesting to see how her sounds translate at the much bigger festival grounds at Gov Ball but I am quite excited to see how she pulls it off.
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