Governors Ball Survives
Water Balloon

The Governors Ball music festival on Randall’s Island in New York City June 7-9, took a licking but kept on … rocking.

The third annual event, organized by Founders Entertainment, featured Kings of Leon, Guns N’ Roses, Kanye West and 67 other acts playing to capacity crowds on four stages. 

However, tropical storm Andrea had a few last gasps that Friday night, and the Kings of Leon had to cancel their set because of heavy winds and rain. The band eventually played the next day.

Some people lost their shoes in the ankle-deep “quagmire,” Britain’s Mark Beech, reporting for Bloomberg, said.  “While mud’s no obstacle for us Glastonbury veterans, it’s far from ideal for New Yorkers simply wanting to sit on the grass in the sunshine and have a fun time.”

Meanwhile, the ferries leaving Randall’s Island ground to a halt, leaving several long lines of drenched fans waiting for transport back to NYC, Beech said.

However, the event was still upbeat, Axl Rose was actually on time, and Beech said that organizers couldn’t help the weather and “for the sake of New York rock fans, it deserves to succeed.”

Meanwhile, over in Nashville, the CMA Music Festival brought country music to fans that kept dry, at least on the outside. The event, once again at Bridgestone Arena and LP Field, featured just about everybody who wears boots June 6-9.