#TuesdayTop10: Governors Ball 2017 preview

Governors Ball is entering its seventh year of existence and has established itself as the East coast’s premiere music festival. This year is no different with a line-up that boasts some of the biggest names in music. We breakdown this year’s lineup to identify the top 10 artists we are looking forward to seeing.

10. Mark Ronson vs Kevin Parker

A dueling DJ set from “Uptown Funk” producer Mark Ronson and Tame Impala leadsinger, Kevin Parker has a lot of potential. There is not a lot of precedent for the set save for Glastonbury last year but with potential guests like Ghostface Killah already at the festival, it could be interesting.

09. Lorde

Although Lorde’s album, Melodrama will not be released until shortly after Governors Ball, it’s already spawned a hit with “Green Light” and “Liability.” So even if her set is heavy with new material, it still has a lot of promise.

08. Phoenix

The French band, Phoenix will release their sixth album, Ti Amo, the weekend after Governors Ball. It will be interesting to see how new album heavy the set is. As long as they mix in “1901” and “Lisztomania,” I’ll be happy.

07. Parquet Courts

In a lot of ways, Parquet Courts have been one of the best indie bands of the last five years. Since Light Up Gold‘s release, the Courts have been blogosphere darlings and Surviving the Golden Age are excited to see what they have to offer the mid-afternoon Sunday crowd.

06. Rae Sremmurd

Last time Rae Sremmurd were on Randall’s island, Slim Jimmy sliced his leg open mid-performance and had to be rushed to the hospital. Hopefully, Jimmy learned his lesson so both member finish the set on stage.

05. Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nuthing ta f’ wit. To see Method Man, RZA, and the rest of the Clan rock an outdoor festival in their home city seems pretty special.

04. Skepta

Skepta became the international standard bearer of grime after last years, Konnichiwa. Time to watch him shutdown Randall’s Island (yeah, pun was intended but I’m not proud of it).

03. Air

For the first time in seven years, French duo Air are touring the US and it all starts at Governors Ball. It’s hard to say if I’m more excited at the prospect of hearing “Cherry Blossom Girl” or “Sexy Boy” live. Either way it should be a great set.

02. Chance the Rapper

In addition to being supremely talented, there is no rapper more beloved than Chance right now. Through his independent mindset in the music industry to his philanthropy in Chicago, Chance is a guy everyone can get behind. Performing the same day as Kehlani, maybe we’ll get treated to “The Way.”

01. The Avalanches

The Avalanches may be one of the most influential artists over the last two decades, even though they only boast two albums. Governors Ball will be the group’s first east coast tour date in over a decade. If the boys have forgotten, Randall Island will remind them that the New York City knows how to party.

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