Leading off the festival for me was Local Natives. Playing in the monsoon the mud wind and rain could not stop them. I have a soft spot in my heart for them, and they powered through the elements to deliver a high energy and appreciative set. Which got me thinking about this remix I posted 3 years ago, when I had just left NY. It’s also fitting because this is the second Teen Daze remix I’ve posted today. Consider this a bit of a throwback, consider it a recap. But most of you probably were not reading what I had to say in 2010, so maybe this is totally new to you. Regardless, it’s absolutely gorgeous. I hope you like it.

So we had Coachella, Primavera and their little step-brother, Governor’s Ball releasing their lineups in a modern day musical arms race. Guess who won? Look, we can debate that back and forth till the cows come home. I’d say one thing for sure: Most Improved Player goes to Governor’s Ball 2013 for seriously stepping up their game. What was once a footnote in the annual festival circuit is no longer messing around this year. This Governor’s Ball 2013 lineup is all time. Here’s a few acts that we plan on checking out for sure. Consider this our Guide to Governors Ball 2013

Gary Clark Jr
We had the pleasure of catching this man at Lollapalooza and homeboy can wail. He’s like a modern day Stevie Ray Vaughn.

St. Lucia
There are few bands we love more than St. Lucia right now at TMD. So insanely relevant and so insanely talented, you cannot miss this show.

Holy Ghost!
These boys are as New York City as it gets. And they’ve got James Murphy and the DFA boys on their side. Need I say more? If I do, go listen to their track ‘Slow Motion’ – and tell me you’re not going to see them.

Cut Copy
These goys from down under have been making sexy synth pop since Hoobastank was selling gold records in US. Yeah, I just name checked Hoobastank. So yeah, they’ve got the game on lock. Pay some respect and show the Aussie boys some love.

Local Natives
It’s well documented, our love for the West Coast boys known as Local Natives. They are a dying breed. A band comprised of insanely talented musicians who can sing and play instruments and everything! Novel idea isn’t it? One day you’ll tell your kids about how you saw someone play the acoustic guitar and real live drums.

HAIM
This sister group from LA has been lighting the internet on fire. Let’s see what it’s all about huh?

Young The Giant
Can’t believe I missed them their last time through NYC, won’t happen this time.

The Knocks
“That’s them New York boys, huh?” – Jay-Z. You know when S. Carter is asking about you, you got some things going on. They have been producing, remixing, touring and generally cranking out material all year. THe first time I saw them live, I likened them to the next Daft Punk. Yeah. I went there.

Robert DeLong
The DeLong surname is still relevant in the music world. No not in Blink 182. But Mr. Robert DeLong. One of the most amazing live shows I’ve ever seen. You think you can do shit with a wii controller? Let’s see you make this song with one. Trust. You need to see him live.

MS MR
It all started with an annoynyous love letter written to a blog. And the rest is history. Her voice is haunting and their sound. Could not be more on point. Definitely see what they’re all about.

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT 5-23-13:

Wild Nothing
Wild Nothing has been making synthed out dream pop for a while now and what better venue to catch them with the big apple in the backdrop. I’m hoping for a 7pm, golden hour set time. But that’s probably not in the cards. However, we’ll take what we can get.

POLICA
I had the pleasure of catching some of Polica’s set at Coachella this year and was left wondering how it took me that long to get to know them. Channy Leaneagh’s haunting vocals will haunt your thoughts and dreams. Definitely take them in.

FOALS
Foals is a band that I had circled for Coachella. But sometimes, shit happens when you party naked. In this case, that shit was that we missed Foals. I’ll be damn sure that won’t happen again at Governor’s Ball.

The XX
I had both the pleasure and the problem of catching The XX at Coachella this year. Mostly, cause I could not stop walking in circles for 3 hours*. Those circles turned into laps of the VIP section right next to the main stage while The XX played, so I ended up hearing (not seeing) quite a show.

*more on that later

Yeasayer
Just listen to this song and imagine it live. Tell me you’re not going to check them out.