4. The Governors Ball NYC Music Festival
When and Where: June 6-8; Randall’s Island (New York City)
Headliners: Outkast; The Strokes; Vampire Weekend
Best of the A-List: Phoenix; Damon Albarn (of Blur); Kurt Vile and the Violators
Ins and Outs: The Governors Ball NYC Music Festival is so good we had to put it on our list two years in a row (it’s the lone holdover, by the way). The festival takes place on Randall’s Island, which is a fully functioning park on its own little island, smack dab in the middle of three of the city’s boroughs: Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx. The Ball itself has a great balance of “local” acts like The Strokes and Vampire Weekend (Manhattan) and Interpol and TV On the Radio (Brooklyn), as well as premiere indie acts from all over the country and world.
Insider Information: The festival has a bunch of great on-site activities, including face-painting and art installations. But the creme de la creme is, without a doubt, the Ball’s photo/gif booth. Yes, you can get those photos turned into gifs. New Twitter avatar, anyone?
Getting There: Thankfully, you won’t have to swim or inner-tube to Randall’s Island; there are plenty of easy, convenient transportation options, including a subway-bus connection; and a ferry that runs at regular service intervals.
Ticket Information: 3-Day General Admission ($250 w/ fees included); 3-Day VIP Admission ($530 w/ fees included); for high-rollers, you can also get a 3-Day Super VIP Pass for $2,000.
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