photo by steff yotka

Entertainment

the 10 best things at governors ball

nylon editors pick their favorite moments from the festival.

by steff yotka

It's been 24 hours since the end of Governors Ball, so we've had some time to rehydrate, get the mud out of our sandals, and change out of our festival frocks back into our weekday clothes. But that doesn't mean we forgot about the awesomeness that went down over the weekend on Randall's Island. 

A bunch of NYLON editors traveled to the festival by ferry (provided by our buds at Gap), train, and on foot to take in OutKast, Jenny Lewis, James Blake, Grimes, Chance the Rapper, The Strokes, and more. So what do we have to say about the three-day music, art, food, and cocktail extravaganza?! Find out in the slideshow. 

photo by melissa giannini

JENNY LEWIS

Wearing the same airbrushed, double-breasted Rodarte suit that makes an appearance on the cover of her upcoming album, The Voyager, Jenny Lewis performed with the swagger of an artist who's hit her stride -- in the most endearing way possible, of course. New songs like "Head Under Water" and "She's Not Me" had the adoring crowd bobbing and swaying with as much intensity as time-tested Rilo Kiley hits like "Silver Lining." MELISSA GIANNINI

photo by aaron silberstein

PHOENIX

If anyone knows how to turn a crowd into a dance party, it's Phoenix. The Frenchies busted into their mega-hit "Lisztomania" early in the set, but kept the people dancing well into sunset. STEFF YOTKA

photo by aaron silberstein

JULIAN CASABLANCAS AND THE VOIDZ

The set ranged from metal to post-punk to Daft Punk songs ("Instant Crush" featuring Casablancas off Random Access Memories) and proved that there's more to The Strokes frontman than just radio hits. SY

photo by aaron silberstein

JAMES BLAKE

There is no end to my admiration of James Blake. He performed all his hits, opening with "I Never Learnt to Share," forgot the words to "Limit To Your Love" in the most adorable way, covered Bill Withers' "Hope She'll Be Happier," and ended his dusk-timed set with "Measurements." It was a truly awesome experience. SY

photo by aaron silberstein

THE STROKES

How can you not like The Strokes? Seeing them was like a flashback to being a teenager, which made their set all the more awesome. SY

photo by aaron silberstein

EARL SWEATSHIRT

He wore a matching bucket hat and shorts, called Tyler the Creator up to the stage, and got the crowd mega-involved in his set.

photo by steff yotka

GRIMES

Grimes has all the stage presence and star power of Beyonce, packaged up in the body of a nymph. She dances wildly, sings beautifully, and and compose a dance beat like no other. Her set was highlighted by the appearance of the dudes from her "Oblivion" video, now dressed as mimes (ahem, Grimes' Mimes), three new songs including one written with Blood Diamond for Rihanna, and her jetting back onto the stage to perform "Genesis." SY

hunter hunted performing / photo by aaron silberstein

THE GAP FERRY

Normal transportation to the festival was great, but a 30 minutes booze cruise with music, games, and friends was way better. The Gap-sponsored ferry had all that, plus beer coozies and bandanas--festival essentials. SY

photo by aaron silberstein

THE VIEW

The palm trees at Coachella might be nice, but nothing beats a view of the NYC skyline at sunset. SY

photo via @nylonmag instagram

THE DON JULIO MARGARITAS

Big thanks to Gap for our VIP passes that entitled us to free Don Julio cocktails. Were they delicious? Yes. Did we maybe have too many? Yes. Do we regret it? No way. SY