This weekend marks the 6th annual Governors Ball held on Randall’s Island, New York City. Beginning on June 3rd, the festival offers 3 days of music in every genre from hip-hop to rock. 2016’s iteration of eclectic acts features The Strokes, Beck, The Killers, Kanye West, and Death Cab For Cutie. There will be a fine array of food, a stellar and easy atmosphere with the party ongoing. MTV will be sponsoring a Governor’s Ball After Dark including Eagles of Death Metal, and Miguel playing venues close by the festival. As we take a long look at the weekend ahead we should talk about those acts that aren’t named Kanye or Beck and showcase the talent that may be waiting on the periphery.
Lord Huron
Lord Huron is a rowdy, indie band from the wilds of Michigan. The quartet brings their high-energy and sing along vibe to the crowd fitting comfortably into the folksy canon. Their new album Strange Tales is a walk through the forest smelling spring for the first time.
Betty Who
The world needs to know this Australian singer for the colorful pop of “Somebody Loves You”. What the world might not know is that she has been classically trained on the cello since the age of 4. A fistful of rainbows coming out of the speakers.
FIDLAR
As sons of keyboardist, Greg Kuehn, from punk legends T.S.O.L. Elvis and Max Kuehn are part of a distinct pedigree. FIDLAR harken back to a DIY punk aesthetic offering fast, catchy, LA punk with tongue in cheek vibe, and scorching melody.
Thundercat
Thundercat is a bass player and producer best known for his genre-busting work with Flying Lotus as well as with thrash metal giants Suicidal Tendencies. He collaborated with Kendrick Lamar on To Pimp A Butterfly and went on to win a Grammy for Best Rap / Sung Collaboration on “These Walls”.
Meg Mac
Another Australian songstress, the silky voiced Meg Mac offers soothing R&B with a distinct, alternative bend. She has won numerous ARIA awards in Australia and is looking to transfer that success worldwide.
Public Access TV
NYC’s own Public Access TV serves up piping hot new wave, pop classics. In the bands short career they have toured with heavies Weezer, The Strokes, and Gang of Four making a name for themselves with smart and witty songwriting.
Nothing
The Relapse Records veterans deliver a mixed brand of shoegaze and noise rock with dreamy vocals and quiet verse. Their latest record Tired of Tomorrow is their most elegant and experimental, good for driving the highway against the storm.
Blank Range
The shaggy haired Nashville-based rock band offers up super-melodic riffs, an eye for psychedelia, amazing guitar work, and a play on the silence in-between the verses. The band brings to the forefront a simpler sound made for the stage.
Bully
Fronted by the ever-sexy Alicia Bognanno, and hailing from Nashville, TN, Bully is a throwback to the angst-ridden 90’s when punk rock had the world by storm for a very brief moment. Their impactful pop-heavy, fuzz guitars are pushed and pulled in long strands of blonde-dyed hair. Check “Trying” and “Brainfreeze”
Vince Staples
Staples in 1/3 of the hip hop group the Cutthroat Boyz and hails from the West Coast MC haven of Long Beach, CA. Low beats, deep bass, and mix of LA groove influence has helped Staples rise to the top of a sometimes overcrowded rap game. Staples debut album Summertime ’06, was released in 2015.
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