Visualize it: masses of tanned feet stomping and spinning on the beach of Governor's Island, kicking plumes of sand up into the warm wind, rich with the malty musk of an adjacent beer pong tournament, as the sun dips beneath the skyline of lower Manhattan. If you're not sold by now, it's not your fault, but you should probably get back to staining the deck or tending your investment portfolio.
Governor's Ball, going down on June 18th, will be a dance party. A celebration of youth, of carefree summer days. But more importantly, it's a showcase of the electronic stars of a groundbreaking musical generation. With a few established exceptions of veterans like Big Boi and People Under the Stairs, we're talking about kids here.
There is no known connection between Jewish rapper Mac Miller and the Beastie boys, except that he was born in '92, the year that saw the release of Check Your Head. Australian electro-pop outfits Empire of the Sun and Miami Horror sound more like the eighties than the eighties, despite not having existed during them. The Coloradan sensation Pretty Lights must have had a cool uncle, as his relentlessly sexy samples draw from esoteric soul tunes he's got no right being familiar with, much less interlacing with clever beats and heavy, buzzing synths.
For all the big names, there are plenty of up-and-comers sure to invoke the shaking of booties. Reptar, hailing from the fertile musical soil of Athens, Georgia will be providing the funk for the aggressively alternative crowd. A late addition to the lineup, Das Racist perennially spin a unique deconstruction of traditional hip-hop. Neon Indian. A Passion Pit DJ set. Girl Talk. Seriously, bring your glow sticks.
What's more, amidst inflatable art installations and tasty food and beverages, the Ball's extra-curriculars include basketball, ping pong, and beach volleyball. Regular price and VIP passes remain -- get yours at www.govball.com/tickets.