Summerin New York City always brings to mind sloughy subway tail end , mysterious strain - conditioner drips , and the occasional blackout . Until 2011 , whenFounders Entertainment , the squad behind Governors Ball , shocked New York City by pulling off the unthinkable : a full - service euphony festival within urban center limits .
The Ball is back for its sixth fest – its 5th atRandall ’s Island Park , a quaint land mass between Manhattan , Queens , and the Bronx – from June 3rd-5th this year , withits high - profile lineup yet . Randall ’s may be remote , but you ’ll scarcely feel shipwreck there : the fete curtilage will be jam - packed with nutrient , art installations , dance company , and some killer musical acts ( like the Killers ! ) .
How can you possibly optimize this three - day summertime kickoff company ? countenance us lead you .
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All together now : Governors Ball call for station on*Randall ’s Island * , not to be confused withGovernors Island , where the fest was hold up in its inaugural class . They really should have renamed this whole shindig , but we guess " Randall ’s Ball " does n’t have the same ring to it . Don’t go to Governors Islandunless you ’re hoping for a restful afternoon in theHammock Grove .
… if you want it to be as painless as possible
Gov Ball points to the Manhattan Ferry as your leisurely manner of conveyance to Randall ’s Island Park . It is the costliest choice , though : pear-shaped - trip-up ferry ticketsare $ 20 per 24-hour interval , or $ 55 for a three - twenty-four hour period weekend base on balls . ferry depart from 34th St at FDR Drive in Manhattan every 15 minute from 11 am to 9 phase modulation .
If you ’re coming from Brooklyn , Gov Ball has organized a birdie bus to pick you up atBrooklyn Bowlin Williamsburg from 11:30am to 4:30pm . Pricing is a notch higher than the ferry , but well - worth the convenience if you ’re coming from Kings County . A round - trip place on the birdie is $ 25 per day , or $ 65 for a three - day weekend pass .
… if you’d rather slum it on public transit
To save all that shuttle cash for festival merch , you could take the subway to the omnibus to get to Randall ’s Island Park – but it ’s a slight trickier than your unremarkable MTA commute . First , take the 4/5/6 to 125th St , where fete organizer have upped the fleet of X80 double-decker to shuttle you to the park . mention that this is n’t your standard subway transfer , though : even with an unlimited MetroCard , you ’ll need surplus fare . The round slip will set you back $ 6.50 , or an additional $ 3.75 if you just came from the subway .
… if you want to drive
Then you ’re not going to be able to stay . disconsolate . There is no parking on Randall ’s Island , but taxis / Ubers / Lyfts / chaperones are free to put down you off , then turn back around and result .
… if you want to get there emission-free
bicycle or walk ! Stroll or sail across the RFK Bridge to the park from Manhattan , Queens , or the Bronx . That ’s a 30 - bit paseo from Queens or just 15 minutes from the Bronx . It ’s about a international nautical mile pass from the 4/5/6 125th St stop in Manhattan ; rockers are encouraged to take the footbridge at 103rd St. There ’ll be ample bike parking on the fete grounds .
Strap on that wristband
verify youregister your wristbandfirst , then fasten it to your arm securely . Yes , you ’re conk to get a tan line , but it ’s your ticket to all the good stuff in spite of appearance . burn slice ; memory last forever .
Get the lay of the land
Gov Ball has four ( four ! ) stage , and they ’re spaced pretty far apart . Thismap of Randall ’s Island Parkwill assist you to orientate yourself , and graph a course between the various Honda , Big Apple , Bacardi , and GovBallNYC degree . star will perform at the GovBallNYC and Honda stages , positioned at the magnetic north and south poles of Randall ’s Island Park .
If getting a good blot for a headliner is important to you , plan to camp out close to the stage ahead of time in the day . But if the front row is n’t your matter , do n’t vex : there are dozens of awesome number and people - watching to check out in between .
In the middle of the park , you ’ll feel food for thought , drink , merch , first aid , miniskirt - golf , and more attractions than you could ever woolgather of . We ’ll break them all down for you further down .
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Pack light… or pack right
You ’ve got a long day ( or weekend ) ahead of you . At minimum , you should havesunscreen , ahat , andsunglasses , andlots of water system . You ’re welcome to bring in in varnish water bottleful or empty ( non - glass ) recyclable ones . Comfortable shoesare of the essence , because you ’ll be walk and put up around all mean solar day . commemorate this fest is going down rain or shine , andGov Ball has gotten drenchedin years past , so be certain to check the prognosis , and possibly take aponchowith you just in case .
Bonus items : apicnic blanketto interest your call on lawn space , afrisbeeor ahacky sackto pass the clock time , more water , because you ’ll need it , snacksif you ’re trying to make unnecessary money on concessions , andhand sanitizerto be proactive about the zillions of microbe around you .
Whatnotto bring ? drug , alcohol , weapon , anything illegal . Also , no selfie sticks . ( Bummer . )
Nick Starichenko/Shutterstock.com
Rent a locker
You ’re plausibly going to be brook all day , but you might not need access to everything you brought the whole time . For $ 25 per mean solar day or $ 50 for the weekend , you could safely stow the al-Qur’an you read on the journey over to Randall ’s Island Park , a change of clothes , your bike helmet , or the records you just bought at the merch collapsible shelter . you could evenreserve a lockerwith a earpiece courser .
Link your wristband to a credit card
Do n’t waste your fourth dimension or money on ATM lines and fee – and hive up your pocketbook safely away in your locker . associate everything up at the Eventbritewristband registrationpage .
Download the official Gov Ball app
This affair is your secondly - best puppet for getting through the 24-hour interval ( this here guide is your first , obviously).Download the mobile appfor iPhone or Android , and you ’ll get lineup info navigable by point and by meter , a detailed fete map mathematical function , links to watchstrap registration , a full tilt of food vender , and any last - hour updates Gov Ball might want to give you throughout the weekend .
There are more bands performing at this fete than you ’ve ever seen in your living so far . The Governors Ball web site has a helpfullineup schedulethat will allow you to parse them all by day , clock time , leg , or name . design carefully so you do n’t wind up across the park from the star youreallywanted to see with five transactions till go fourth dimension . Or just count out for our faves :
… if you want to feel like Pablo
Let ’s be real : if you go to Governors Ball , most of the Friend , family , and hypebeasts in your life story are going to require you if you sawKanye West . Just see him . His young record album , the beautiful and maddeningThe Life of Pablo , is the employment of a major artist , and this is your chance to see him do ( and , yes , probablymonologue for a while ) on a vast level . Do n’t overlook it .
… if you disagree with Kanye West
This is some savvy festival computer programing . In case you forgot , Beck’sMorning Phasestole the Album of the Year Grammy from Beyoncé back in 2015 , and , well , Kanye was pretty pissed about the whole affair . If you disagree with Mr. West , let it be have it away by going to see this dependably eclectic alt - John Rock figure - shifter .
… if you’re nostalgic for the ’00s
For a brief stop , the Strokeswere the epitome of a very specific strain of New York assuredness . Now most of them are dads , and they have n’t release a decent album in about a decade , but , hey , " Reptilia " still blend . Plus , they ’ll likely bepremiering new euphony , so you ’ll require to hear this set in case it ’s good enough to severalize your champion they ’re cause a " return to imprint " record .
… if it rains
Before they became permanent Taylor Swift team - secureness , HAIMwere have intercourse for crafting the type of catchy , somber , Fleetwood Mac - like fix that wipe out at giant festivals , no matter what the weather condition is like . With a new record album footle in the distance , the sis stone turn will be test out new track for you to vibe to as light showers pitter-patter the park . It ’s gross poncho music – even if it ’s sunny out .
… if you’re a lyrics person
Courtney Barnettwrites Song you want to sing along to – but first you ’ve got ta memorize all the words . The 28 - year - old Australian vocalist - ballad maker will be showcasing the verbose , canny tracks from her stellar 2015 recordSometimes I Sit and Think , and Sometimes I Just Sit . We suggest you just seat and listen .
… if you like your hip-hop with heart and humor
Vince Stapleshas got you covered . He ’s only 22 , but the talented Long Beach doorknocker already carved out his own lane with last year’sSummertime ' 06 , a rich , kaleidoscopic double record album that vaulted him into the same league as fellow West Coast pioneer like Earl Sweatshirt , YG , andKendrick Lamar .
… if you’re feeling jazzy
You ca n’t jump around and lose your brain for three day of a music fete . Thundercatis here for that much - postulate breather . permit his bass - playing take you to another astral aeroplane .
… if you miss shoegaze
Philadelphia bandNothingmixes elements of hardcore , metal , and shoegaze to craft its simultaneously harsh and beautiful drones . land earplugs .
Thefull tilt of foodon fling was curated by Infatuation NYC and leaves no craving unaccounted for . With lots ofhot fresh solid food vendorsand innumerable established restaurants and intellectual nourishment trucks showing up , there are genuinely no risky alternative here .
… if you want something light
Hippie DipsKing of PopsSeamore’sSnowdays
… if you want something heavy
Beecher ’s Handmade CheeseBlack TapBurger JointHarry & Ida’sMighty Quinn ’s
… if you’re vegan
Asia DogBluestone LaneBy ChloeHebros KitchenLandhausSweet ChiliTry Vegan
… if you only have one free hand
FriterieJalapeno Corndog ConcessionsTaqueria DianaUma TemakeriaVan Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
… if you want something to last all day
Arancini Bros. Mario by MaryMilk BarSouthernmost felafel
… if you want a non-alcoholic beverage
CoCo & Co. Juice PressMatchaBar
… if you want an adult beverage
There are multiple beer camp a Harlan Fiske Stone ’s throw from every microscope stage . If you ’d rather take up a step back from the activity , finish by cocktail waiting area buy at by Don Julio , Bacardi , or Tito ’s , the latter of which occupies an wash waiting room . For the biergarten experience , confab the Miller Beer Hall .
… if you need to hydrate
… if you have to pee
Take a leak by the Honda Stage VIP tent , the Big Apple Stage VIP tent , the West Gate , the locker banks , the mini - golf path , the East Gate voluntary tent , the Bacardi House Stage , the Miller Beer Hall , the GovBallNYC point beer tent , the first help collapsible shelter , or the Skydeck cabana . commemorate to lather up your hand sanitizer when you ’re done .
… if you want to schmooze with performers
Honda is shop an John Hancock tent , where you’re able to get signature from Against Me ! , Betty Who , Big Grams , Black Pistol Fire , Bully , Cold War Kids , Day Wave , Eagles of Death Metal , Fidlar , Holly Miranda , Joey Bada$$ , the London Souls , Miike Snow , Nothing , Purity Ring , Thundercat , Torres , Transviolet , Whitney , and Years & Years . This also render a capital opportunity to sneak in some song requests .
… if you need to charge your phone
It ’s 2016 ! There ’s no excuse for a utter sound anymore . Juice it up at the Miller Beer Hall , Tito ’s Airstream lounge , Don Julio cocktail lounge , Coca - Cola tent , or any VIP tent ( if you ’re a VIP ) .
… if you’re feeling competitive
Gov Ball is giving you a mini - golf row this year , which is the perfect place to putt out any pre - set stress . Or try your paw at one of the super - sized lawn games , like bocce , Connect Four , Cornhole , and Ladder Ball .
… if you wanna get high on life
Gov Ball organizes a meet - up send for SoberBall , which bring together those enjoying the fete sans alcohol . It ’s a large way to make new friends and keep your partying in check .
… to see some art
The festival solid ground will host tons of trippy installations , but Gov Ball is keeping them under wraps for now . Whatever they are , we ’re willing to bet they ’ll look cool as infernal region in your Instagram feed .
… to get your picture taken
… if you’re looking for some grit
Governors Ball is mostly about relaxing and having a honorable sentence . But the after - party , whichyou can still by tickets to , are for discover ferocious acts , like grunge throwback specialistsBully , who will be performing on Thursday , June 2nd atArlene ’s Grocery .
… if you’re still ready to scream along
Against Me!makes anthemic , throat - blacken music that ’s mean to be experienced in a communal circumstance . permit lead Isaac M. Singer Laura Jane Grace lead you in a evacuant rock-and-roll therapy session on Friday , June 3rd atWebster Hall .
… if you can’t get “Maps” out of your head after listening toLemonade
Go toWebster Hallon Saturday , June 4th and get that " contain Up " earworm straight from the original source : NYC ’s very ownYeah Yeah Yeahs . It might not beBeyoncé , but these art - rock mainstays put on the type of show that ’s worth stay on up late for .
… if you’re tired
Go to log Z’s . You ’ve earn it .
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Courtesy of Forest Woodward
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Courtesy of Forest Woodward
Courtesy of Forest Woodward
