Gorgeous Photos Of Everything You'll Find At NYC's Governors Ball Music Festival
Festival organizers arranged a number of public transportation options for getting to the festival. We decided to go low-key and walk across the RFK Bridge to Randall's Island on foot.
The festival grounds were already kicking as we made our way over.
The lines looked intimidating when we arrived, but they moved quickly. We didn't wait more than five minutes to make it inside.
On Friday afternoon, festival workers were putting the finishing touches on the grounds.
Before heading to the stages, we stopped at the Food, Drink, Shade Oasis. There was no shortage of options for what to eat.
Festival-goers didn't need to be told to get started partying. The weather was perfect for laying out on the grass.
There were a variety of specialty hangouts for festival-goers to relax in. Tito's Handmade Vodka outfitted an Airstream trailer as a bar & lounge.
The newest addition to the festival was rentable lockers by Paypal. The Governors Ball team added the lockers after overwhelming requests from past festival-goers.
Detroit-native Joshua Niko Orange traveled to New York just for the festival. He brought hula-hoops to show off his skills.
He was even teaching others how to do his tricks. Brooklyn-based Kendall Meehl gave the hula-hoop a try.
Ben & Jerry's was giving out free ice cream. It was perfect for the hot day.
That is if you could survive the line...
For those who needed a drink, Camelbak provided free water refilling stations. It was necessary over the hot weekend.
There were art installations scattered throughout the grounds. This one of Biggie Smalls was one of our favorites.
Balloon chains ring the festival grounds and are held in place by crew like Peter Jaquay. He even let passerby give holding the balloon chain a try.
The Statue of Liberty art installation was one of the most popular photo-opportunities for festival-goers.
No more waiting! It's time for the music.
R&B singer Janelle Monáe got the crowd going early on Friday with her energetic performance.
By the time Phoenix started playing, the crowd had packed around the main stage. Singer Thomas Mars jumped into the crowd during their set.
Cult rap star Chance the Rapper gave an intense performance in the Gotham Tent on Saturday. He even led a massive singalong of the theme song from the PBS animated series Arthur.
The Glitch Mob took over in the Gotham Tent after Chance the Rapper. He kept the energy high.
There were plenty of lawn games to have fun with in between performances.
Cornhole was one of the most popular. Every set was being used.
We got involved in a game of life-size Jenga. It wasn't easy.
After wandering around the grounds, we found our way to the Freeloader's Lounge, a backstage bar with free drinks and food.
Don Julio's Tequila was offering a variety of ice-cold margaritas and tequila-flavored cocktails.
We, of course, got a few.
The Cabanas were located next to the main stage with a perfect view. If you like attending concerts in comfort and style, there isn't a better way.
When the sun came down, it was clear that the crowd was getting amped for the headliners to come.
Just before the headliners started, the crowd rushed to the Governors Ball stage. They were met by the High and Mighty Brass Band, an on-the-move New Orleans funk & R&B group. The band stopped the crowd in their tracks.
Outkast kicked off the weekend's headliners with a sharp, funky set that was all kinds of weird. Before playing many of their hits, the duo teased the crowd about their age, noting that many were in elementary school when their biggest hits came out.
By the time that Outkast got going, the crowd had packed the field. There wasn't much room to move.
On Saturday, electronic music prodigies Disclosure gave a memorable performance as they worked through most of their 2013 album, Latch.
Jack White's headlining performance on Saturday night did battle with Skrillex on the adjacent stage. White rocked through a set of old White Stripes favorites and cuts from his new solo effort, Lazaretto.
Foster The People put on an exciting performance on Sunday. They even got some help from Capital Cities' trumpeter Spencer Ludwig.
Empire of the Sun was sporting some funky costumes during their Sunday evening set.
Axwell & Ingrosso, formerly of Swedish House Mafia, blasted their way through a set that was heavy on the fireworks Sunday night.
Vampire Weekend closed out the festival with a fun set that was occasionally interrupted by cheers from NBA Finals watchers.
As we left late in the night, the spotlights were still lighting up NYC's sky.
Governors Ball isn't the only festival to go to this year...
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