Governors Ball 2021: Why I’m Going

I was talking to a friend of mine, a smart industry insider who has already been on two tours this year, about why he was working so hard. “I’m not convinced there won’t be another lock down,” he replied. “I’m like a squirrel storing nuts.” That is, more or less, the same reason I am going to go to Governors Ball this weekend, I wanna to go before there is nowhere to go to.

I’d bought a single ticket to Friday’s show a couple of months ago and StubHub took my money and didn’t provide the ticket (here), the sort of business ethics that should have them out of business earlier rather than later. Ever the optimist I ended up at SeatGeek (who did a much better rollout of “Springsteen On Broadway” than Ticketmaster) where I got a three day price for $138 all included and received the wristband the very next day.

So, again, why?

1 – I’m worried about another lockdown

2 – While I loved Randalls Island it was much further than Citifield which is where the line up has moved to, I love the commute.

3 – Clearly the line up isn’t Glastonbury or even Coachella, but it isn’t bad (it is much better than 2020 would have been, for sure). My list includes

Friday: Tate Mcrae (you know her, “Rubberband”) Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist, Future Islands (very excited to see these guys), Kehlani, 24Goldn, Portugal The Man, Billie Eilish

Saturday: Muna, A-Trak (he was great when I saw him at T5), Cordae, King Princess, Big Thief, Megan Thee Stallion, Phoebe Bridgers, J Balvin (beyond excited for this one), A$AP Rocky (I haven’t seen him since 2015, here)

Sunday: Caroline Polachek, Burna Boy (the great son of Lagos), Dominic Fike, 21 Savage, Young Thug, Ellie Goulding, Post Malone (though I betI leave no later than 21 Savage)

So at around $45 a day, it can’t be beat and then 20 minutes by subway and I’m home…