Governors Ball 2016 recap: from noteworthy moments to dampening cancellations

Music festivals usually come hand in hand with summer, with Governors Ball as one of many festivals held – and cancelled – over the weekend. Here are some highlights from the NYC three-day festival, from June 3-5, before it was abruptly called off on the last day due to an unforgiving weather.

(Speaking of which).

Thousands of fans travelled to Randall’s Island, Manhattan to see the hottest names in the music industry perform live, including The Strokes, Beck, Of Monster and Men, Lord Huron, The Killers, Haim, M83, CHVCHES and Kanye West.

Though The Strokes played 25 minutes behind schedule, the American rock band performed their set with full swagger, featuring their greatest hits “Soma”, “What Ever Happened?”, and “Under Cover of Darkness.” The boys saved a moment to pay respects to recently deceased Brett Kilroe, the man behind the band’s artwork. Frontman Julian Casablancas recalled memories of his friend, allowing fans to witness his never-before-seen sentimental side.

Though The Killers haven’t released anything new in over four years, the band had enough back catalogue to stun the crowd, or what’s left of them anyway. Many people had decided to leave the stage due to the sudden downpour before the set began. But after the rain stopped, The Killers managed to wire up the remaining attendees with their legendary “Mr. Brightside”, before continuing with other hits like “Human”, “Spaceman”, and “Somebody Told Me”, and covers of Interpol’s “Obstacle 1” and Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love”. The band finished off by leaving fans in awe wit anthems “Read My Mind”, “All These Things That I’ve Done” and “Jenny Was A Friend of Mine”

Watch The Killers debut new untitled song

GovBall was able to book one of Long Island’s greatest hip hop acts, De la Soul. The trio, who have been active for almost 30 years, challenged the young crowd with their legendary hits, including “Ring Ring Ring” and “Me, Myself and I”. 46-year-old Maseo asked the crowd, “Who here is under 30?” before giving a quick chuckle, “You gon’ learn some shit today”.

As we’ve reported earlier, Governors Ball couldn’t go on on its final day due to extreme weather. Kanye West, Death Cab for Cutie, CHVRCHES, Bat for Lashes, Two Door Cinema Club, Chet Faker, and Betty Who were just some of the artists whose sets have been called off on Sunday. Nevertheless, organisers have confirmed a refund Sunday’s portion of the tickets.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to visit Singapore in September

But the dampened spirits of fans were somewhat lifted as Kanye himself booked a surprise performance with Hot 97, a radio station who’s organising a hip-hop event right in NYC. When the word got out that the Life of Pablo singer was headed for Webster Hall, thousands of fans flocked the streets. According to one Twitter account, it was a “chaos”.

Kanye show causing chaos out here at Webster Hall. pic.twitter.com/Vowqwa7P9s

— Pigeons & Planes (@PigsAndPlans) June 6, 2016

Outside Webster Hall right now ??? #PABLO pic.twitter.com/6ZbaaRYveP

— TeamKanyeDaily (@TeamKanyeDaily) June 6, 2016

If there’s one thing to be learned from Yeezus, it’s that the show must go on. Somewhere. Even if it’s in the wee hours.