NYS Music 2023

Category: Features

  • Governors Ball Day 3 – Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X, and Pusha T Close Out The Weekend

    Governors Ball wrapped up the weekend last night with a stellar, career-spanning performance from Kendrick Lamar. Sunday was another eclectic day of music from all ends of the spectrum, featuring sets by Lil Nas X, Pusha T, Black Midi, Girl In Red, and Phony Ppl.

    Kendrick Lamar, Governors Ball 6/11/2023. Photo by Lucas Kurzweil

    Rap music was on clear display for Sunday. Coast Contra gave some early afternoon rap to the Bacardí stage. The dynamic rap group brought the old school vibes with their “Scenerio Freestyle.” Over on the GoPuff Stage, Central Cee displayed classic UK rap to the New York crowd. He had the fans going wild for his hit song “Doja.” 

    Leading up to the headlining slot on Sunday, Pusha T brought his rash flow to a wild crowd at the Bacardi Stage with a deep setlist full of crowd favorites and covers. At the same time, Sofi Tukker’s house/pop blend reverberated from the GoPuff Stage sending infectious dance beats through the park. Lil Nas X followed with thrilling dancing and intricate costumes culminating in a giant sing-along to his hit song “Old Town Road”.

    governors ball pusha t
    Pusha T, Governors Ball 6/11/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    It was only fitting that Kendrick Lamar headlined Sunday night because there was truly no better way to end the 2023 edition of the Governors Ball. Fresh off the larger-than-life Big Steppers Tour, Kendrick brought his more stripped-back festival production to the GovBall Stage. It’s hard to imagine how such a mega artist can create an “intimate” festival performance while still bringing every bit of energy you expect. A bare stage with varying backdrops, flanked by lighting from the sides of the stage and vertical laser walls made Flushing Meadows feel like a window into the life of Kendrick Lamar songs. The power and raw energy of Kendrick’s flow echoed throughout the audience who were in awe of what they were witnessing.

    governors ball kendrick lamar
    Kendrick Lamar, Governors Ball 6/11/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    With 2023 in the books, we can already start thinking about next year. The move to Flushing Meadows Park was a major success for Governors Ball. The vast park is the perfect venue for a music festival with large field areas and thick tree lines providing shade and texture to the grounds. Fans have easier access via mass transit and the neighborhoods surrounding the park are home to the most diverse local food vendors anywhere in the world. The future is bright for Governors Ball after finally finding the perfect home. After housing multiple World Fairs in 1939 and 1964, the city has kept large festivals away from Flushing Meadows; a trend that has finally ended.

    Stay tuned for more artist galleries, as well as a in-depth look into Kendrick Lamar’s historic headlining set in Queens.

  • Toosii’s R&B and Rap Talent Shine in Debut Studio Album “NAUJOUR”

    After “Favorite Song” caught fire globally, becoming the Syracuse rapper’s highest charting single to date, Toosii builds off this excitement from his recent success, dropping his first studio album NAUJOUR on June 2.

    NAUJOUR Toosii

    Gaining traction in the industry in 2020 with his debut project Poetic Pain, Toosii’s melodic, raspy voice matched with rap and R&B instrumentals has made him a unique music industry member. Tracks “Sapiosexual,” “Love Cycle,” and others launched Poetic Pain to peak at number 14 on the Billboard 100, a glimpse into his skill set moving forward.

    Late 2020 and early 2021 saw him generate more widespread buzz in Thank You For Believing where Toosii collaborated with DaBaby, Latto, and Key Glock, displaying his versatility by bouncing between genres. The overall hype around this project and past performances earned him a spot on the 2021 XXL Freshman List, and from there his career continued to explode.

    Fast forward to 2023, Toosii’s first full-length studio album as a member of Capitol Records, NAUJOUR, hypnotizes his audience by evolving his R&B skills since his 2022 EP Boy’s Don’t Cry: Men Do.

    In addition to his advanced R&B knowledge, he provides unique sample loops similar to earlier projects but acts as the foundation for more personal storytelling lyricism concerning his past.

    Album Rollout and Overview

    Coming in at 19 tracks, NAUJOUR‘s announcement came on May 5, 2023, via the rapper’s Instagram, while also continuously hinting at the album’s release in early 2023 through his lead singles and remixes of “Favorite Song.” Khalid and Future both appear in their own versions of the track, with Future’s being known as the “Toxic Version.”

    Originally appearing on the aforementioned Boy’s Don’t Cry: Men Do before NAUJOUR, “Love Is…” utilizes a sample from Julia Michaels’ “Love Is Weird” for the project’s lead single. A vulnerable, heartbreaking song, it sticks out in Toosii’s discography as one of his more personal performances.

    From track to track, we trek across his rise to stardom and come up in the highly competitive music industry, not skipping on any of the tough feats he had to endure from his childhood to the present day.

    Featuring only 21 Savage, Wallo 267, Future, and Khalid, the project is a prime look into Toosii’s solo abilities and one-of-a-kind vocals that have driven him to the top of the R&B pyramid.

    Standout Tracks

    “Rule Number 1” kickstarts the project on a family-oriented note, opening with a voice message from his mother sending love to the rapper and disclosing core memories from his younger years.

    He lists three rules for listeners to follow, going in on his past lack of trust with women, patience in waiting for his moment, and advice for future generations.

    Across much of Toosii’s discography, we dive deeper and deeper into his past love life and current relationship with Samaria Davis, as the third track “Another Love Song” showcases. His struggle to find that perfect balance of love between both parties is heard through the strong vocal delivery over a catchy, melodic sample loop.

    Despite the differences between Toosii and Davis, “Another Love Song” still ensures that he is there for her in the end no matter the situation.

    This another love song, this another anthem, somethin’ to bawl your eyes out to, when you’re feelin’ damaged, call me, tell me you need me there, when you wasn’t carin.’

    – Toosii on “Another Love Song”

    Track six “Villains & Heroes” pins this past relationship as a devil, angel situation, while also describing some of his wrongdoings that cause him pain.

    Another melodic sample loop lays out Toosii’s toxic lyricism towards his own actions and his partner’s as well, again a common theme when dissecting the pain of his past relationships.

    Pouring pain in his voice, each R&B song touches on the longing for love and the presentation of his life experiences learned through hardship.

    The stretch of “Go Go Go” and “Pull Up,” featuring 21 Savage, are fast-paced, upbeat rap performances, flaunting his capability in more than one genre.

    Behind the flawless production from the well-known producer team The LoopHoles, 21 Savage and Toosii create one of the project’s most entertaining and energetic tracks. The menacing tone set by the two artists makes for a moshpit anthem for any concert crowd and is not the first one of these to sneak into Toosii’s discography.

    Final Thoughts

    Mixing heart and soul into his R&B tunes and intense energy into rap, Toosii’s NAUJOUR encapsulates the multi-genre talent he has been mastering for years.

    On May 10, Toosii would announce his NAUJOUR Tour, a 22-city journey this Summer to showcase the rapper’s work to his fans.

    Expect music videos to come along with multiple singles off the project, with Toosii already dropping a video for track four “FWLM” on the same day as the album’s release.

  • MVW and Valee Release ‘Could Be’ and ‘Pistachio’ in Anticipation of New Album

    Suis generis producer MVW continues to flood the streets with a run of ear-catching singles. Coupled with vocals from frequent collaborator Valee, MVW delivered fans the Groovy sounding “Pistachio” and “Could Be,” a straightfoward take on the two artists musical philosophy. The two records offer a taste into how MVW plans to build on his sound, or add to what’s working. Namely, “Could Be” is a piano and Hi Hat laced track that sees Valee chime in with his laidback delivery. In a 2-minute loop MVW’s ominous piano riffs set the tone as Valee illustrate through various luxury items on the grand lifestyle that “Could Be” for his romantic partners.

    MVW and Vale continue their run of ear-catching singles.
    MVW (right) and Valee (left) embark on their latest musical journey

    In a similar vein, the Zelooperz assisted “Pistachio” brings a lively twist to MVW’s classic-trap blend. Likewise, Valee brings his colorful idioms, characterizations and laid-back delivery in toasting to the pistachio-colored seats of their luxury car, with each emcee bringing a whimsical confidence in their verses. The sonics, courtesy of MVW, sway with an addictive nocturnal funk. His classical roots at play, adding gorgeous hum of woodwinds giving the record a grand feel.

    “‘Pistachio’ was a special track that was made together with Valee, Zelooperz, and I one night in LA all together, last summer, MVW reveals. “As soon as Valee began laying the hook, there was a particular feeling in the air, the rest was history. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I’ll never look at Pistachios the same.”

    VALEEDATION will see MVW and Valee continue to grow into one of the best duos in hip hop

    Valee and MVW’s VALEEDATION

    These records are a continuation of MVW’s musical journey. Beginning as a classical composer and building himself up as a respected hip hop producer. In doing so, MVW has since worked alongside some of the industry’s best up-and-coming and established artists alike. His steady collaborative efforts with Valee have been a defining staple throughout this time.

    Fittingly, the former Classical composer will release his third hip hop album in as many years this July. However, this installation of classical-trap symphonies will come alongside frequent collaborator Valee, as the duo embark on a full-album journey that their musical synergy demands. Slated for a September release date, VALEEDATION will be a chance for a MVW and Valee to establish themselves as a preeminent duo with unrivaled chemistry.

  • In Focus: moe. at Saranac Brewery, June 9-10, 2023

    Local Utica musicians moe. played at Saranac Brewery over June 9 and 10, bringing in packed crowds to the Varick Street biergarten.

    The weekend provided as great a pair of hometown shows as you’d expect. A “Crab Eyes” to focus the crowd’s attention to the stage started the show off and was followed by a song for said crowd, “Happy Hour Hero.” Driving the tempo back up with “Not Coming Down” was met with Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home,” a rare treat that then dipped into the typical segue from “NCD,” “Wormwood.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MB-kJcookw

    Set two opened with Allman Brothers’ “Jessica,” and had Lotus guitarist Tim Palmeri join for a firey “Puebla” a few songs later. “Tubing the River Styx” did not go into “The Pit” as it typically does, but instead “Billy Goat” followed by “Tailspin.”

    An encore of “Farmer Ben” showcased percussionist Jim Loughlin’s vocal stylings where the medley portion at the end was used to highlight songs they were not playing “Moth,” “Plane Crash” and “Timmy Tucker” among them. “okayalright” closed the show and wrapped up a “Not Coming Down” > “Wormwood” > “okayalright” extended trio sandwich.

    moe. – Friday, June 9, 2023 – Saranac Brewery | Utica, NY

    Set 1: Crab Eyes, Happy Hour Hero, Not Coming Down > Can’t Find My Way Home > Wormwood > Deep This Time > Downward Facing Dog, Haze
    Set 2: Jessica, (nh) Silver Sun > LL3 > Puebla$ > Tubing the River Styx > Billy Goat > Tailspin
    Encore: Farmer Ben, okayalright
    $ w/Tim Palmeri

    While there were no bears during “Bearsong” on Saturday, the band fooled fans with a “Time Ed” fake out in a “Ricky Marten” jam that shifted into “Water” instead. Shannon Lynch joined on saxophone for “The Road” to close the set.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd2509fKTwg

    A setbreak performance by ‘FingerbanG’ -a crew band that first performed at Summer Camp Music Festival in May – found them wearing ‘ridiculous inflatable costumes’ and played Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottom” and Queen’s “Fat Bottom Girls” in the short time they had.

    Set two opened with Not Normal track “Prestige Worldwide” and featured the ever-enjoyable combo of “Jazz Wank” > “Spaz Medicine,” followed by a solid “Opium” and “She” and “Brent Black” closing the set, with Chuck Garvey playing a top notch solo, even giving a Chuck.announcement and wishing his wife a happy birthday.

    The encore of Eric Clapton’s “Let it Rain” has found a comfortable spot in the rotation with Nate Wilson having joined the band and providing vocals for a proper Derek and the Dominoes cover.

    moe. – Saturday, June 10, 2023 – Saranac Brewery | Utica, NY

    Set 1: Skitchin Buffalo, Bearsong, White Lightening Turpentine, Big World -> Ricky Martin, Water, The Road*
    Set 2: Prestige Worldwide, Jazz Wank -> Spaz RX, Opium, She -> I don’t Wanna Be -> Brent Black
    Encore: Let It Rain
    *w/ Shannon Lynch on saxophone
    Ricky Martin had a Time Ed Jam fakeout.
    Opium had a “She’s So Heavy” by The Beatles intro.

    Our thanks to Pete Connors for show highlights.

  • Hearing Aide: Organ Fairchild’s New Single “Chamelonious Monk”

    Organ Fairchild, a funky jam band out from Buffalo, have released their new single, “Chamelonious Monk.” The band are previous winners of NYS Music’s 2021 March Madness and their new single holds to their name, with an organ undercurrent and a signature guitar riff to carry on through the song.

    Organ Fairchild was formed in 2020 by Joe Bellanti (organ, keys), Corey Kertzie (drums) and Dave Ruch (guitar), members of a Grateful Dead cover band “White Nights.” Though they debuted right before the COVID-19 pandemic, the three-piece instrumental band has had a successful rise through sold out shows and performances across the Northeast.

    “In Organ Fairchild’s world, chamelon (not chameleon) rhymes with HAM-a-LAHN and refers to a person of exceptional ability and taste. And if you’re a chamelon, well, things you do are chamelonious. So now we’re getting dangerously close to jazz musician Thelonious Monk’s first name, so we added the word Monk to the title and included some signature Monk-like dissonant chords in the climbing part of the song (chords containing half-step intervals for the musicians out there…).”

    Dave Ruch, the band’s guitarist

    Their new single was recorded and mixed by Justin Guip of Milan Hill Studio and mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive.

    For nearly the whole of “Chamelonious Monk,” Bellanti’s organ acts as the cushion for the many highs of the song to fall back on. That is not to say that the organ does not get its chance to shine, but it often keeps the song flowing. Kertzie’s drums are the bridge between the organ and the guitar, cushioning when the organ cannot and leading when the guitar is not.

    Ruch’s guitar has a signature riff through the piece, which often leads the song through its various phases. One of the best uses of the guitar comes in at around the three minute mark, where it briefly stands alone after a small crescendo. The organ rises behind it, slowly taking focus before the drums snatches it away.

    To check out “Chamelonious Monk” by Organ Fairchild on various streaming services, check out this page. For more on the band and their upcoming shows, take a look at their website.

  • Governors Ball Day 2: Odesza, Lil Baby, Rina Sawayama And More

    Governors Ball is in full swing over in Flushing Meadows Park with day 2 wrapping up on Saturday. Picture perfect weather settled in for the day, while a diverse lineup did their thing across the three stages, punctuated by a thunderous spectacle courtesy of Odesza.

    Odesza, Governors Ball, 6/10/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    At the GoPuff Stage, KennyHoopla brought the energy. Fans were deeply invested in Hoopla’s rash, indie rock tone as his live band brought the lyrics to life. Kenny Beats rocked the Bacardí stage with a stellar DJ performance, mixing current favorites and old school classics. Before the set began, Kenny brought numerous fans onstage to enjoy his set from a platform behind him. Kenny Beats had the moshpit raving over his bass-heavy beats and high climax drops, frequently turning around and dancing along with the fans on stage.

    Kenny Beats, Governors Ball, 6/10/2023. Photo by Lucas Kurzweil

    Saturday also highlighted two of the biggest artists from South Korea and Japan who are making waves in the United States. The GovBallNYC Stage hosted Rina Sawayama earlier in the day. The Japanese singer dazzled the devoted fans with her energetic interpretive dance sequences and mega vocal prowess. Later on in the afternoon, fresh off throwing out the first pitch at a Yankees game, South Korean girl group Aespa brought their signature K-pop and hyper-pop music to the stage. Self-proclaimed “number one fans” flanked the barricade for their chance to see Aespa up close and personal.

    Aespa, Governors Ball, 6/10/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    Back at the GoPuff Stage, Oliver Tree brought his wacky pop music to the festival stage. Utilizing a keytar, Oliver played unreleased music and got the fans rocking with his viral song “Miss You.” To close off the night at the GoPuff Stage, Lil Baby put on a show stopping performance. Baby circled his discography going through hits like “Drip Too Hard,” “On Me,” and “Yes Indeed.”

    Lil Baby, Governors Ball 6/10/23. Photo by Lucas Kurzweil

    While Lil Baby drew a big audience over at the GoPuff Stage, an eager crowd gathered at the GovBallNYC to catch Odesza’s headlining set. The Washington state electronic duo are known for larger than life production and they did not disappoint. The show opens with a drumline appearing out of thin air at the front of the stage followed by relentless stage pyro, sprawling laser shows, and an epic fireworks finale while driving electro-house keeps fans moving.

    Odesza, Governors Ball, 6/10/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    Governors Ball wraps up today, Sunday with a much anticipated headlining performance from Kendrick Lamar. Black Midi, Pusha T, Lil Nas X, and Giveon fill out the day; a proper finale to another installment of New York City’s premier summer music festival. Stay tunes for Sunday’s recap and check out a gallery from Saturday below.

  • Deer Tick Keeps It Weird at Lincoln Hill Farms

    A week in advance of the release of their new album, Rhode Island folk-rock stalwarts Deer Tick visited Lincoln Hill Farms in Canandaigua. It was a bit of a weird week in Western New York as smoke from Canadian wildfires filled the air, forcing people indoors and into masks once again. The air cleared enough to safely stage the show, and the show would go on.

    But still, for Deer Tick, “it was a weird time to be alive,” according to guitarist and singer John McCauley. Not this era, decade, week, or day, but specifically the current time, 7:47pm. A hard curfew of 9pm, ensured the sun would be out for pretty much the whole show. It was an early set for the band more attuned to the late night bar crowd, even if they’ve outgrown their bar band days.

    Weird as it was, Deer Tick stuffed their early-evening time with songs spanning their career, from some of their earliest tunes. like “Easy” and “Twenty Miles,” all the way up to their as-yet released material. It all flowed together seamlessly. The old tunes felt as fresh as ever, while the new ones had a well-worn quality like they had been there all along.

    The new record, Emotional Contracts, was actually recorded not all that far away, in the similarly named Cassadaga, NY at Tarbox Road Studios. Kinda weird?

    In their own weird way, they worked in some tributes to some of the rockers that helped paved their way. “Me and My Man” got a little bit of ZZ Top’s “La Grange” added at the front, which prompted McCauley to suggest they do that for all of their songs. So on the ensuing, “The Bump,” his band mates jokingly obliged with teases of Tom Petty’s “Running Down a Dream,” and The Beatles’ “Day Tripper.” When MCCauley’s monitor needed a battery change, the rest of the band settled into a nice little groove while waiting. This sounded like Santana and Rob Thomas’ hit “Smooth” to McCauley so he of course started singing what he could remember from that. Then on the tail end of “The Dream’s in the Ditch,” McCauley tacked on Santo and Johnny’s “Tear Drop,” with their signature languid slide guitar sound. They weren’t over a more traditional cover either, throwing in a rollicking rendition of Little Feat’s “Rocket in my Pocket” mid-set that featured searing solos from both McCauley and guitarist Ian O’Neill. Even the banter included tributes, with Cheap Trick’s famous line, “This is the first song off our new album!” appropriately introducing the new tune, “If I Try to Leave.”

    The latest single, “Once in a Lifetime” was titled like a cover, but it was all original, getting down with Chris Ryan’s groovy bass line. As much fun as the band was having with their little asides, their original material ruled the day, or the early-evening rather. Drummer Dennis Ryan penned the new “Running From Love,” which came to him in a dream. The soul-inflected tune built and built, culminating in a fiery solo from McCauley on his orange guitar, with his matching orange pick, which he also thought was “weird.”

    The set closed on “Mange,” tossing the previous 80 minutes together into a rock assault. A long intro set the scene, a grooving bass laid the groundwork, and a big “whoop” set the fuse. Then the band went all in with raging guitars, a big drum solo, and a drifting feedback jam. They put it all out there for a big rock show finish.

    But of course there was more. They came back for a two-song encore that pushed right up to that 9pm curfew. The night closed with “the last song on our new album,” the slow oozing rocker “The Real Thing” that surely left everyone in attendance hotly anticipating their first listen to Emotional Contracts.

    If you missed out, don’t fret, the band will be back in the area with a show at the Homer Center for the Arts on November 12.

    Setlist: Forgiving Ties, If I Try to Leave, Me and My Man, The Bump > Easy, Rocket in My Pocket (Little Feat), If She Could See Me Now, Twenty Miles, Running From Love, Hope is Big > Tripping Up the Stairs (Traditional), Once in a Lifetime, Clownin’ Around, The Dream’s in the Ditch > Tear Drop (Santo & Johnny), Mange
    Encore: Jumpstarting, The Real Thing

  • A Phenomenal Night with BONES, Eddy Baker, and Xavier Wulf at the Knockdown Center

    Knockdown Center in Brooklyn hosted BONES, Eddy Baker, and Xavier Wulf on Friday, June 2. The “In Loving Memory” Tour brought an electrifying night of rap music to the iconic Knockdown Center in Brooklyn. Featuring the talented artists BONES, Eddy Baker, and Xavier Wulf. The concert showcased a unique blend of raw energy, skillful performances, and an unforgettable atmosphere.

    On June 2nd, 2023 the doors opened and the crowd began to pour into Knockdown Center, Brooklyn eagerly anticipating an exceptional night of rap music. The audience was a diverse mix of dedicated fans, each bringing their own unique style and enthusiasm. The vibrant energy within the venue was palpable, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.

    First up was Eddy Baker, who wasted no time in capturing the crowd’s attention. With his dynamic stage presence and charismatic delivery, Baker immediately connected with the audience. His high-energy performance ignited the crowd, creating an electric atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of the night. Eddy Baker flawlessly delivered tracks from his discography, including fan favorites like “READY2RUMBLE” and “Telescopes” The crowd was fully engaged, vibing along with his energetic beats and intricate lyrics.

    Next, Xavier Wulf took the stage, continuing the wave of intense energy that had been building throughout the night. Known for his distinct voice and aggressive flow, Wulf commanded the attention of the audience from the moment he stepped foot on the stage. His dark and brooding beats combined with his relentless delivery captivated the crowd. Xavier Wulf treated fans to a mix of his hit tracks, including “Request Refused” and “Akina Speed Star.” The crowd responded with immense enthusiasm, moshing and rapping along, creating an atmosphere of pure exhilaration.

    The anticipation reached its peak as BONES, a true master of his craft, emerged on stage. As the headliner, BONES brought his unique blend of introspective lyrics and haunting melodies to the forefront. The crowd erupted in excitement, showcasing their devotion to the artist. BONES effortlessly commanded the stage, delivering a captivating performance that transcended the boundaries of traditional rap music. With tracks like “RedAlert,” “AirplaneMode,” and “LooseScrew,” BONES guided the audience through a musical journey that was both introspective and deeply engaging. The crowd’s reaction was electric, as they rapped along with every word, forming a powerful bond with the artist.

    The Knockdown Center proved to be the perfect venue for the “In Loving Memory” Tour. Its spacious layout and exceptional acoustics created an immersive environment, allowing the music to resonate throughout the venue. The stage setup, complete with vibrant lighting and visuals, enhanced the overall experience, adding an extra layer of intensity to the performances.

    Overall, the “In Loving Memory” Tour at Knockdown Center in Brooklyn, was a night to remember. BONES, Eddy Baker, and Xavier Wulf brought their A-game, delivering powerful performances that left the crowd craving more. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and enthusiasm, as fans connected with the music on a deep and personal level. The combination of the diverse crowd, the exceptional talent of the artists, the venue’s ambiance, and the carefully curated music selections made this concert an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.

  • Governors Ball 2023 Kicks Off with Lizzo, Lil Uzi Vert, Ice Spice and More

    Governors Ball kicked off the 2023 edition on Friday, June 9th, showing off their new digs in the sprawling in Flushing Meadows Park. After many years on Randall’s Island, and a brief stint in the parking lot of Citi Field, Governors Ball made the long anticipated move to the famed Queens park. Nestled amongst the giant trees and iconic landmarks, the festival feels right at home in the World’s Borough. The Canadian wildfire smoke cleared out entirely for the day, letting perfect weather shine for most of the day.

    governors ball 2023
    Lizzo, Governors Ball, 6/9/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    On the GovballNYC stage, Saba set the tone with his early afternoon performance. He got the crowd going with hits like “Ziplock” and “Photosynthesis.” Over at the GoPuff stage, Tai Verdes kept it cool with “A-O-K” to get the crowd ready for Brooklyn’s own Joey Bada$$. Joey went through songs across his entire discography and made sure to let his hometown crowd feel his energy. Joey made a tribute to XXXTENTACION by performing their song “infinity (888).”

    governors ball 2023
    Joey Bada$$, Governors Ball, 6/9/2023. Photo by Lucas Kurzweil

    The GoPuff stage did not disappoint with later sets from Ice Spice, Metro Boomin, and Lil Uzi Vert. Ice Spice drew one of the biggest crowds of the day, and took the house down with her viral songs “Much” and “In Ha Mood.” Metro Boomin’ followed up Ice Spice’s performance with an intricate DJ set. Rain started to pour but that didn’t stop the fans from screaming every word, bar for bar, during Metro’s performance. Over on the Bacardi stage, the brief rain shower made for an even raunchier set than normal from pop icon Kim Petras.

    Kim Petras, Governors Ball, 6/9/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    Lil Uzi Vert closed out the night with a bang. Interacting with fans throughout the set, he even announced that the highly anticipated “Pink Tape” will drop at the end of the month. Uzi went through the hits, brought out Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely and ended the night with their latest hit “Just Wanna Rock.”

    governors ball 2023
    Lil Uzi Vert, Governors Ball, 6/9/2023. Photo by Lucas Kurzweil

    Meanwhile, over on the GovBallNYC stage, Lizzo dominated the stage with her larger than lifer performance. Flanked by a sea of dancers, backup vocalists, a killer live band, and several outfit changes, Lizzo’s powerful voice reverberated through Flushing Meadows.

    Lizzo, Governors Ball, 6/9/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    Day 2 gets going today, with sets from Finneas, Snail Mail, Rina Sawayama, Lil Baby, and Odesza. Stay tuned for our Saturday recap tomorrow morning.

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  • A Look Ahead at Tribeca Festival 2023: What to Watch (and Play) at This Year’s Event

    The 2023 edition of Robert DeNiro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff’s Tribeca Festival (formerly Tribeca Film Festival) began this past Wednesday, June 7th.

    This event that highlights films, games, television, and music kicked off with the premiere of Kiss The Future, directed by Nenad Cicin-Sain, with producers: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Sarah Anthony.

    Tribeca Festival 2023 received a record-high of 12,000 submissions, ultimately narrowing it down to 109 feature films, 76 shorts, and over 20 interactive experiences and games.

    After viewing all that the festival has to offer, here are a few that you should check out during the remainder of the Festival:

    Features

    The Adults

    Dustin Guy Defa | June 13, 14, 16 at SVA Theatre & Village East

    The plan to make a trip back home as short as possible begins to unravel as Eric finds himself balancing the challenging relationship with his two sisters and his addiction to a local poker game.

    This film features eccentric performances from 3 actors that deliver moments of familial humor tied with touching earnestness.

    LaRoy

    Shane Atkinson | June 17 at Village East

    When Ray discovers that his wife is cheating on him, he decides he’s going to kill himself. His plans suddenly change when a stranger mistakes him for a low-rent hitman.

    This film features two exceptional performances from leads John Magaro and Steve Zahn, along with a solid directorial debut.

    Anthem

    Peter Nicks | June 11, 13, 14 at Spring Studios & Village East

    What would the national anthem sound like if it was based on American music and not the melody of an old British tune? The film follows composer and pianist Kris Bowers and producer Dahi across the country.

    This powerful and relevant documentary highlights the national anthem, whilst traveling to learn more about what America actually sounds like.

    Songs About Fucking

    James Gallagher | June 10, 11, 16 at Spring Studios & Village East

    The documentary introduces the artist, showman, and robe-clad raconteur Marc Rebillet as he embarks on one of the first live music tours after COVID-19 lockdown.

    This documentary highlights a musician’s ambitious tour right off the heels of the pandemic in an inspiring pursuit of musical greatness.

    After the Premiere: A musical Q&A with Marc Rebillet.

    Shorts

    Over the Wall

    Krystal Tingle | June 10, 13, 17 at AMC East 6 & Village East

    Brehanna Daniels, the first Black woman pit crew member and tire changer in NASCAR, works her way back from injury to participate in the Daytona 500, the biggest race in the sport.

    In this fascinating and frenetic look behind the scenes of a NASCAR pit crew member, highlighting a new generation in the athletic field.

    Voice Activated

    Steve Anthopoulos | June 10, 12, 17 at AMC East 6 & Village East

    A florist with a stutter is forced to cooperate with a voice activated car on the way to an important delivery.

    This film perfectly utilizes the short format (12 minutes) in it’s premise and comedic voice assistant interactions.

    Somewhere in Between

    Kyle Vorbach, John Horan | June 14, 17, 18 at AMC East 6 & Village East

    Two will-they-won’t-they friends are just enjoying a simple New Year’s Eve— until a man from the future bursts in, telling them the fate of the universe rests in their hands!

    This short features great special effects and is a lot of fun in a small package.

    Proof of Concept

    Max Cohn, Ellie Sachs | June 11 at Village East

    An aspiring auteur tries coaxing her dad and uncle into financing her first short film but winds up raising more questions than dollars.

    This is a very fun short film that is self-aware and true to the overwhelming filmmaking and budgeting experience.

    Television

    Full Circle

    Steven Soderbergh | June 11 – 8:00 PM at OKX Theater

    Full Circle is a limited series about an investigation into a botched kidnapping that uncovers long-held secrets connecting multiple characters and cultures in present day New York City.

    After the Screening: A conversation with director and executive producer Steven Soderbergh, executive producer Casey Silver, and cast.

    Swagger

    Reggie Rock Bythewood | June 17 at AMC East 6

    Inspired by NBA superstar Kevin Durant’s experiences, Swagger explores the world of youth basketball, and the players, their families and coaches who walk the fine line between dreams and ambition, and opportunism and corruption. Off the court, the show reveals what it’s like to grow up in America.

    After the Screening: A conversation with creator and executive producer Reggie Rock Bythewood and cast.

    The Long Long Night

    Barret O’Brien, Mark Duplass | June 12, 14 at Village East & AMC East 6

    It’s been 6 months since that disastrous night in the motel and these two guys (Mark Duplass and Barret O’Brien) are nowhere near over it.

    This is a very intriguing series that poses many questions within the first few minutes of episode on and continues on an interesting path throughout the full length.

    Games + Interactive

    Spring Studios | Through June 17th

    Despelote

    Julián Cordero, Sebastian Valbuena

    Run, pass, and dribble as eight year old Julián in this slice of life game all about football. Explore the streets and parks of Quito, set against the backdrop of Ecuador’s first qualifying run for the World Cup in 2001.

    This is an incredibly charming and quirky game that is a joy to play and roam around, soccer ball at your feet.

    Pixel Ripped 1978

    Isaias Junior, Marcus Penna, Ana Ribeiro, Rômulo Silva

    This VR game is the newest entry in the Pixel Ripped series that sees Dot once again fight against the evil Cyblin Lord, who has a nefarious plan to hack into the game creator’s past and to make himself the protagonist.

    If you’ve never experienced Virtual Reality, this is a great chance to check it out and jump into the game within the game.

    Reimagined Volume II: Mahal

    Michaela Ternasky-Holland, Julie Cavaliere

    This interactive VR experience focuses on the four immortal children of the recently passed creator god, Bathala and their all-powerful actions that create ripples throughout the universe.

    It was a great journey exploring the Philippine mythology that inspired it and the rich character narrative. The experience’s booth also featured models of the characters from the short.

    Tribeca Festival 2023
    LaRoy Red Carpet Premiere at Tribeca, June 8th 2023, Photograph by Parker Alexander