by Kerry Torpey on April 19, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’21
A&E Staff
With Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicking off this year’s spring music festivals, the beginning of music festival season is upon us. Governors Ball, first launched in 2011, is returning yet again. This year it will be held June 1-3 at the same location as last year, Randall’s Island Park in New York City. The three-day event will feature a variety of artists and spotlight different musical genres.
Founders Entertainment is the company that handles the production for Governors Ball, which in past years has attracted well over 100,000 spectators. Single-day tickets are currently being sold online, as is entry for all three days of the festival. In addition to great music, there will be food trucks and exposure for many known New York restaurants. There is also a lineup of food vendors just as anticipated as the musical lineup.
Two of the headliners for 2018 include Eminem and Travis Scott. Although both artists are known for creating rap music, they will be performing on different days of the festival. Eminem, a classic name within the genre, will have plenty of songs to perform from his 2017 album, Revival, and his long list of past records. Travis Scott, who rose to popularity with his song “Goosebumps,” also has plenty of set list options to choose from—his new album was released this past Dec.
Other well-known rappers like 2 Chainz, Lil Uzi Vert, and Post Malone are all on the musical lineup, performing on different days. R&B newcomer Khalid, who was nominated for five Grammys earlier this year, is also slated to make an appearance on June 3. Not all of the acts chosen by Founders are rap artists. In fact, opening the show on the festival’s first day is Jack White, whose musical style leans towards rock and alternative music.
White is also part of the duo The White Stripes, which produced, “Seven Nation Army.” Electronic/EDM artists will also be in attendance, such as Diplo, who recently released a solo album. He has partnered with Mark Ronson, who appeared on Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” on a duo team that they have called Silk City. Diplo and Ronson are currently set to perform on Saturday, June 2. Additionally, another EDM duo will be performing on this day: Galantis.
It seems as though this year’s Governors Ball will feature a wide array of artists from big name singers to up-and-coming performers; it is this versatility that attracts so many people year after year. Forbes speculates that it will “include some of the city’s biggest comeback shows ever along with breakout acts you can’t miss.”