Governors Ball is taking over New York City this weekend, with some of the biggest names in indie rock and hip-hop descending upon Randall's Island in the Big Apple. Day one was marked by big-name appearances from Outkast, Damon Albarn and Phoenix, who delivered feverishly enthusiastic sets among some perfect, 75 degree weather (unlike last year).
Music Times was on site to take it all in, from the music to the people to even the chicken fingers and overpriced beer. Check out our play-by-play of Governors Ball day one...
11:48 - After weeks of anticipation, the gates to Governors Ball 2014 are finally open, even if the music doesn't start for another half hour. The festival grounds are a huge improvement from last year's notorious mud pit, and as a born and bred Ohioan, the cornhole games right at the gate make me feel right at home. The grounds are simultaneously expansive and intimate, with four stages in total spread out throughout Randall's Island, two of which face each other directly across the field. The main stage, which is obviously the largest and hosts the biggest names, is adjacent to the smaller Gotham Tent, which is almost too contained for its own good. But alas, the sun is shining here in New York City, there's just enough clouds to make the day not a scorching mess and things are off to a good start. -Carolyn Menyes
12:15 - Right on schedule, HAERTS opens up Governors Ball at the main stage (fittingly titled Gov Ball NYC Stage). Here, we encountered the first majorly rude concertgoer, who loudly and proudly declared that the indie rock band was not, in fact, Outkast and that only nine hours remained until "the real s---." Sigh. Regardless, HAERTS were unfazed by the rude guests and rocked the house with songs old and new. Plus, Nini Fabi was absolutely stunning in a long, electric blue dress. Always nice to be stylish. - CM
12:15 - The Chain Gang of 1974 happens to be a band from San Jose, and I'm wearing a San Jose Sharks hat. This, alas, doesn't make me hip. Although the Gang is as far from metal as you can get, they've still got cynical thoughts to open the day at an otherwise happy event: The opening tracks question "why do people like you think that everything is gonna be alright" and "throwing rocks at a brick fight."-Ryan Book
12:45 - Perhaps the first Brooklyn act at a festival full of Brooklyn acts, Little Daylight keeps things hopping. Vocalist/keyboardist Nikki Taylor and every other Brooklyn gal at the event must have called each other about outfits.-RB
12:55 - The first pleasant surprise of the weekend came with my second set, Drowners. This New York indie rock outfit was something totally unfamiliar to me until today, but I walked away from our short time together as a fan. Blending in the sass of bands like Louis XIV with the incessant bass lines of the '90s, Drowners make some pure, unadulterated and fun alternative rock.-CM
1:30 - Despite falling in love, I cut my time at Drowners short for a current musical obsession of mine: Jason Isbell. Perhaps best known for his work with Drive By Truckers, Isbell released one of the quietly best albums of last year with Southeastern. His set was the one I was most excited about for the day, and he didn't disappoint... for the most part. Isbell opened up with the grooving "Super 8 Motel," inflicting the indie rock and hip-hop heavy Governors Ball with a little dose of country. He soared through ALBUM NAME, hitting all the high points and even throwing in the Drive By Truckers jam or two. Only downside to Isbell's set was his exclusion of "Cover Me Up," which is usually a staple in his live shows. Maybe the early afternoon time slot and the rock-leaning festival made Isbell feel uncomfortable with the heartbreaking song. Either way, his closing performance of "Traveling Alone" was still perfectly poignant and may or may not have brought a certain reporter to tears... - CM
1:41 - Big Boi doesn't join Run The Jewels onstage to perform his verse from the track "Banana Clipper." The crowd doesn't seem to mind as the duo dominantly stomps all over the set. Hope remains for Jewels member Killer Mike to appear later and perform his verse from Outkast's "The Whole World," despite his snub. -RB
1:47 - Candi Staton, whom Isbell comments is one of "the best singers in the world" joins him on stage for "Heart On A String," and the crowd goes wild for the soulful duet. -CM
2:30 - One of the festival circuit highlights besides the music is, of course, the food and beverage options. Governors Ball doesn't offer a ton to the layperson in terms of beer and wine, just $9 bottles of Miller Lite, $13 mega-cans of Foster's and $10 mini-cups of wine. The food, however, is plentiful in options. As a result of my mid-afternoon exhaustion, I opted for the closest food option for lunch, Four Sons' chicken finger basket. The fast food staple was perfectly mediocre, with a lack of seasoning being the main negative. I'm somewhat of a chicken finger connoisseur, so I know a meh one when I taste it, and this was fittingly blah. - CM
2:35 - Kurt Vile and The Violators cover Richard Hell, and as with every other song during this set, masks his face with his "beautiful, beuatiful hair" (as described by one front-row-fan) while he plays a solo. -RB
2:42 - From Justin Bieber videos to Donald Sterling videos, race remains a problem in the United States. Ratking offered a philosophical remark on the state of race in America while onstage: "Where the f--king mutts at? None of us is f--king pure." -RB
8:17 - Grimes is a photographer's best friend. Between the color-changing lights, fog machine, fan strategically positioned to blow her hair back, stage dancers and mimes (yes, stage mimes), it's absolutely impossible to not land a great shot of the performer. Having read many kooky(!) interviews of the performer, it's nice to see that she's sincere. Bizarre, but sincere. Great gig.-RB
8:30 - Maybe I'm just used to smaller festivals, where everyone is into every act on the bill or at least vaguely interested, but the audiences at GovBall leave something to be desired. This evening's TV On The Radio show marked the band's first show in New York City in years, but people just did not care. The audience was relatively small, which is neither here nor there, but people seemed largely tepid toward the art rock band. But, the band didn't seem to care, putting all its effort into making this show truly count with loads of energy. Finally, the audience picked up toward the middle of the set for "Wolf Like Me," but it didn't make up wholly for the early ennui. -CM
9:15 - One good thing about being the writer designated to see Damon Albarn over Outkast was that it was really easy to get a good spot, the first time I was able to properly see a band since 3 p.m. No complaints about seeing this guy though, as Albarn was charasmatic and truly happy to be performing at Governors Ball (unlike some other festival headliners this season...). Albarn largely kept to his recent solo album Everyday Robots, being incredibly British during tracks like "Lonely Press Play" and the album's title track. -CM
9:23 - After a strategically drawn out wait, Outkast emerges from a theatrical tent onstage. Madness ensues with many an overjoyed, if not slick, dancer in the crowd as "B.O.B." serves as the opening salvo. -RB
9:39 - My only complaint about the set, much of which stems from previous articles I've written for other publications arguing that (bold statement coming) "Rosa Parks" is the best hip-hop track of all time, or at least certianly with my generation's time. Considering the live band that Outkast brought with them, the song could have been a momentous closer, but ended up being rather lackluster. -RB
9:49 - Finally! Someone let him out of his cage. It took a couple of beats for the audience to understand what Albarn was trying to do with his iPad, but the answer was, he was trying to unleash Gorillaz. Soon, two-thirds of De La Soul emerged onstage to help Albarn perform "Feel Good Inc.," causing the audience to all shake it like a polaroid picture (wait...). Later, Gorillaz emerged again with the help of Chicago rapper Vic Mensa! -CM
10:15 - I grew out of "Hey Ya" quickly when it emerged on the radio during high school. It was catchy, but it was overplayed, didn't feature Big Boi (my slight favorite of the two) and it just wasn't in line with the classic Outkast I appreciated. That being said, Andre 3000's solo performance of the track was a blast, and I gladly shook it like a polaroid picture. -RB
10:59 - Yes, Killer Mike made an appearance for "The Whole World" so at least we got that. A set that surpassed all the sourpuss reviews I've read regarding Outkast's previous festival appearances, although I found the choice of closing track rather moody. -RB
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