Make no mistake, Jack White’s Saturday night headliner was a thing of beauty. Artists at his level (OutKast, Vampire Weekend) are capable of roaring through a career-spanning set but very few can orchestrate a performance that persistently suffocates you with feels and electricity. White’s night cap at Governors Ball NYC made it look easy, as his session-like run through old pieces (“Hotel Yorba”, “Icky Thump”) and new stomps (“High Ball Stepper”, “Lazaretto”) showed a musician that’s devoted to his craft – fixating on attractive ideas, fine-tuning every minor bit, and tightening the bond that makes music an extension of art. That form of dedication was ultimately the theme for Saturday as it made its mark: Chance The Rapper and Childish Gambino leaned on their rule-defying efforts, Sleigh Bells and The Strokes stayed true to their coveted style and sound, and even with a schedule against them, Deafheaven absolutely slayed at two in the afternoon. Credit for that could go to Gotham Tent but as most of us know, when music hits you, it hits hard.
Check out Saturday’s photos below via Dylan Johnson and keep your eyes peeled for Sunday’s sets and a collection of Gov Ball portraits.
DEAFHEAVEN at GOTHAM TENT
CLASSIXX at HONDA STAGE
CHANCE THE RAPPER at GOTHAM TENT
DISCLOSURE at HONDA STAGE
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS at BIG APPLE STAGE
THE STROKES at GOVBALLNYC STAGE
CHILDISH GAMBINO at HONDA STAGE
SKRILLEX at HONDA STAGE
SLEIGH BELLS at GOTHAM TENT
