The fifth Governors Ball descends upon New York City’s Randall Island park today through Sunday, June 7th. If you already have tickets but are still assembling your schedule, here’s our selection of some of the best acts you don’t want to miss at the event, to make your planning a little easier.
1. White Lung
White Lung
The Blonde Ambition issue-featured Mish Way is a vocal powerhouse: she has both bark and bite, and commands the stage with a shock-and-awe force that’s as refreshing as it is captivating. Catch them before seeing them in the early afternoon hours becomes a thing of the past.
When: Saturday June 6 at 1:30 PM on the Honda Stage
2. Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey
Lana has, in the last couple of years, graduated from shy debutante to fully-formed entertainer: at Governor’s Ball she is headlining the last night of the event, and rightly so. Having won over – or at least dismissed, critics, this is one of her first live performances this year. Expect some kind of rendition of “Summertime Sadness.”
When: Sunday June 7 at 9:15 PM on the Honda Stage
3. Drake
Drake
Everyone’s by-default favorite rapper, Drake, is one of the hottest tickets of the event. His latest album, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, is a universally praised slow-burner that the Guardian called “complex and compelling.” Expect no cameos from Madonna.
When: Friday June 5 at 9:30 PM on GovBallNYC Stage
4. Björk
Bjork
On the back of an intensely successful retrospective at the MoMA (which is ongoing), Björk graces the stage of the Governors Ball for what is expected to be an enthralling performance showcasing her latest record, the majestic Vulnicura.
When: Saturday June 6 at 7:00 PM on the GovBallNYC Stage
5. MØ
MØ
When we spoke to anish singer/songwriter MØ (née Karen Marie Ørsted) last year, she told us, “Live, you tell your stories face to face with your audience, you have to look them in the eyes and let go at the same time. It becomes intense and violent in a whole new way, which is the beauty of it.” This is all you need to know going into MØ’s live show — an intense, energetic and uplifting live experience.
When: Friday June 5 at 3:45 PM on the Gotham Tent
6. Flying Lotus
Flying Lotus
Last year’s You’re Dead, by Los Angeles-based artist/producer Flying Lotus, featured cameos by the likes of Captain Murphy, Angel Deradoorian, Kendrick Lamar, Niki Randa, Snoop Dogg, and Thundercat. They may not be at the Governors Ball alongside him, but this does not diminish the power of the songs.
When: Sunday June 7 at 8:00 PM on the Gotham Tent