For the second year in a row, Governors Ball is being held on Randall’s Island in New York but for the first time, it will be a three day concert experience WITH overlapping sets. Surviving the Golden Age will be covering the festival for the third year in a row and here are the top 10 performers we are looking forward to.
10. The Knocks
Despite playing Friday afternoon, the Knocks are sure to have one of the most energetic sets of the weekend. The New York City duo should give the hometown crowd 45-minute of non-stop danceable pop.
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09. Icona Pop
After being featured on Girls and rocking the MTV Video Awards, Icona Pop have a buzz around them that should continue into a Saturday afternoon set sandwiched nicely between Wild Nothing and Japandroid.
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08. Dirty Projectors
Brooklyn art-rockers, Dirty Projectors released our favorite album of 2012 with Swing Lo Magellan. Its hard to tell will be more exciting to hear live: “Gun Has No Trigger” or “About to Die.”
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07. Japandroids
Celebration Rock, the sophomore album from Japandroids, was critically renowned and was featured on many critics best of 2012 list. Similarly, many critics listed them as a must see live act as will I for Governors Ball.
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06. Dinosaur Jr.
On the official Governors Ball poster, Dinosaur Jr are listed on the 11th line. Despite the diss, the indie rock legends are sure to be a must see if for no other reason than they should be the loudest band there.
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05. Thievery Corporation
Downtempo legends, Thievery Corporation hit the stage at the same time as Animal Collective. So while hipsters gather across the park, catch some cool vibe from the DC duo on the Skyy Vodka tent.
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04. Bloc Party
After a two year hiatus, Bloc Party returned last year with a new album, Four. The band opened their US reunion tour in NYC in August 2012 and they have not played the city since. They finally return for Governors Ball.
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03. Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar‘s recent outspokenness against drugs should be interesting at a festival where I was asked for molly no less than five times last year. Still Lamar is among the most interesting voices in hip hop. However, Lamar is part of the hardest set time war, facing off again Cut Copy. In the end, Lamar is a must see.
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02. Nas
Although not promoting an album, Nas is still a must see just because of his legendary status. Playing at the same time Guns ‘n’ Roses, seeing Nas is a no brainer.
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01. Kanye West
Despite being increasingly volatile in recent months (see the joyless SNL performance), Kanye West remains one of the must see acts of Governors Ball. As Kanye hits the stage on Sunday night, everyone will wonder as much about what he’s going to play as what he is going to say.
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