Ahead of Governors Ball, set to take place June 2-4 at Randall’s Island, we thought up moments that would make for an unforgettable weekend. Whether or not they happen? We’ll have to wait and find out. From live debuts to dance routines, here are 10 things we want to see at the festival.
A Crazy Crowd for Chance the Rapper
Look to Chance the Rapper’s latest pit stop on The View, where the audience roared after every word he said. Bring the Chicago MVP into his element onstage, though, and the pandemonium multiplies. With his spring tour in motion, Chano’s headlining set on Friday at Governors Ball will be a must-see Kumbaya moment for hip-hop heads who committed his last effort Coloring Book to memory or have been repping his positive rap movement since 2013’s #10Day. — Adelle Platon
Muna Becoming the Best New Artist You Discover All Weekend
Normally the first two hours of a festival are spent pre-gaming, standing around the entrance trying to get your wristbands sorted out or doing something completely unrelated because this is a Friday afternoon we’re taking about and — lol! — a lot of people have to be at work. But we’re telling you, no, insisting: Clear all your prior engagements and see MUNA at 1:30 Friday afternoon. The synthy soundscapes of the LA trio’s excellent 2017 debut About U explode with gritty guitars when you see them live and they go the extra mile to make their shows LGBTQ-friendly, which often includes injecting an anti-Trump manifesto into their communal queer anthem “I Know a Place.” And earlier this year, they told Billboard that if you come see them at Gov Ball they might — just might — do this:
— Chris Payne
Childish Gambino Delivering His Only Live Show of the Year So Far
Preoccupied with winning Golden Globes and Grammys while filming for both the big and small screens (see: Spider-Man: Homecoming and his FX hit Atlanta), Donald Glover suiting up as Childish Gambino for a show rarely happens. Add the fact that Glover hasn’t announced a tour around his Funkadelic-infused studio effort, 2016’s Awaken, My Love!, and the thirst for live Gambino is real. His Saturday finale — his only announced live show of the year so far — would also show a different version of the Renaissance Man since he last performed for the festival in 2014. He’s a father now, has shed his Because the Internet rap persona and perhaps, knows damn well how great he is like the rest of us. — A.P.
Lorde Live-Debuting New Music (Again)
During weekend one of Coachella, Lorde used her evening set as a testing ground of sorts for new material as she live debuted two songs off her upcoming album Melodrama, the title track and the fiery “Homemade Dynamite.” Considering the June 16 release date of the sophomore album — and the fact Lorde teased lyrics and a date of June 2 at 2 p.m. ET on Twitter, the same day she’s scheduled to perform — another live debut seems likely. — Lyndsey Havens
A 20th-Anniversary Celebration of Wu-Tang Forever
One of Saturday’s biggest draws is the almighty Wu-Tang Clan. Sure, getting the band back together with RZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God, GZA, Masta Killa and Cappadonna is already a feat in itself but June 3 also marks the 20th anniversary of their legendary sophomore effort Wu-Tang Forever. Experiencing live renditions of “Triumph,” “It’s Yourz” and “Reunited” on the momentous occasion would be irreplaceable. — A.P.
Hearing A R I Z O N A’s Entire Album Live
The guys in A R I Z O N A (the band, not the state) just dropped their debut LP Gallery on May 19, and every song is just as danceable and feel-good as the catchy electro-rock tracks like “Electric Touch” that they’d released leading up to the album drop. The 12-track album has a total running time of 38 minutes, and their set is 45 minutes long…if they’re feeling really ambitious on the Honda stage at 1:30 in the afternoon, fans may just get to hear the record from start to finish — a treat that even those unfamiliar with the indie band would get down to. — Taylor Weatherby?
Francis and the Lights Sharing a Dance With Chance
Chance the Rapper and Francis and the Lights go way back, so it came as no surprise when they recently dropped a remix (complete with a new video full of simplistic and in-synch choreography) of Francis’ “May I Have This Dance.” What did come as a (somewhat) surprise, though, was when Chance joined Francis on stage at Boston Calling over Memorial Day weekend to bring the dance to life — a surprise worth repeating. — L.H.
Zane Lowe incorporating a live interview into his DJ set
Zane Lowe’s name has nearly become synonymous with Apple’s Beats 1 Radio. The on-air host has crafted a strong show that fuses both impressive music premieres, such as Miley Cyrus’ “Malibu,” and has interviewed seemingly everyone by now. So while a live DJ set from Lowe is compelling enough to draw a crowd what would make his slot even better is if he brought out one of his many famous friends for a brief live interview in between spins. — L.H.
Mark Ronson and Kevin Parker Unveiling Surprise Guests
In addition to Zane, we bring you a second potentially-star studded DJ set in the form of Mark Ronson and Kevin Parker on the Big Apple Stage Saturday night. The funk- and uptown-inclined producer and Tame Impala frontman have teamed up for DJ sets a couple of times before, gifting crowds with a stylish electro-clash of modern disco and retro bass-heavy grooves. We’ve already a written a lengthy preview of what surprise treats this set could offer, but allow us to summarize: Ronson and Parker both worked on Lady Gaga’s last album and Lady Gaga hails from New York City. Intrigued? — C.P.
Legendary Avant-Metal Weirdos Closing Out The Fest
If you’re wondering who or what Tool is and why they’re headlining a massive music festival in 2017, go ahead and read our primer. If you’re a tad bit older than the average Gov Ball attendee and chose a Sunday-only ticket over a three-day pass, well, there’s a solid chance you’re there to see Tool. The prog-metal band hasn’t released an album since 2006’s 10,000 Days, which just so happens to have come out the last year they played in the New York area. Is new music on the way? They’ve been teasing it for some time, and a trip out to Randall’s Island is a prime opportunity to — perhaps — hear some new Tool songs in the wild. — C.P.