Faces in the Crowd: Portraits From Governors Ball 2014

Check out our photographs from Governors Ball 2014 on Randall's Island in New York City.

Jun 09, 2014

Last year, heavy rain transformed the fields of Randall's Island in New York City to an enormous mud puddle that smelled like feces and skunked beer. It was still fun, but the conditions were pretty unfortunate unless you are one of those filthy hippies who likes to roll around in mud and bask in the glory of being a free spirit. For Governors Ball 2014, the weather was beautiful, the grass was green, and the faces in the crowd were much more cheerful.

1.

Last year, heavy rain transformed the fields of Randall's Island in New York City to an enormous mud puddle that smelled like feces and skunked beer. It was still fun, but the conditions were pretty unfortunate unless you are one of those filthy hippies who likes to roll around in mud and bask in the glory of being a free spirit. For Governors Ball 2014, the weather was beautiful, the grass was green, and the faces in the crowd were much more cheerful.

2.

Bella

While looking for subjects for our portrait series, a flash of sunlight bounced off Bella's gold grill and caught our attention. She only wears the grill for special occasions.

From: Originally from L.A., now lives in Tribeca

Most excited for: Disclosure and Skrillex

Best concert you've ever been to: I've been going to Coachella for the past 10 years and it's always amazing

What's your spirit animal? Cheetah

3.

Simone

Most people at Governors Ball were dirty, sweaty, and disgusting. Simone was looking fresh and clean on her purple blanket, even in a field covered with trash.

From: New Jersey

Most excited to see: Chance The Rapper

If you could add anyone to the festival lineup, who would you add? The Script

First CD you ever bought: Lady Gaga's The Fame

4.

Carol

With a tie-dye shirt and a hula hoop, Carol was in full festival mode.

From: Brookyn via Sweden

Most excited to see: The Strokes, Disclosure

First CD you ever bought: Ace of Base

What's your spirit animal? A small tiger

5.

Hunold and Laiz

Hunold and Laiz were strolling through the Freeloader's Lounge and looking enviously at the Taco truck.

Have you enjoyed working a festival? Yes! My usual beat is Harlem, so it's nice to see everyone here having fun and enjoying themselves.

Favorite act so far: (They didn't know anyone who was playing. They asked, "What kind of music festival is this?")

If you could see any musician dead or alive, who would it be? For Hunold it would be Blake Shelton or Nirvana and for Laiz it would be Marc Antony.

6.

Cindy

Cindy was working the bar at the Freeloader's Lounge, a VIP section where drinks are free. She had to tell many drunk concert-goers that there's a two-drink maximum per person.

From: Point Pleasant, New Jersey

Why did you decide to work at the festival? I get to see my friends and I make money, so it's a win-win

Favorite act so far: Outkast

If you could see any musician dead or alive, who would it be? The Beatles

7.

Mae

After a hot and exhausting day one, it seemed like people started drinking a little later in the afternoon on days two and three. Not Mae. With a Miller in hand during the early hours of day three, he was still going strong and feeling good.

From: Atlanta

Most excited for: Outkast and Childish Gambino

Spirit animal: Whale

First CD you ever bought: Juvenile

8.

Danielle

That big apple in the background would be completely destroyed by the end of the weekend. We caught Danielle during the second day of the festival, when it was still in tact with roses hanging off of it. RIP to that apple.

From: Port Chester, NY

Most excited for: Bastille

Who would you add to the lineup? Marina & the Diamonds

9.

Jenn and Huck (@JennsDrunk and @HuckKwong)

Jenn and Huck found us while we were waiting in line for tacos that we thought were free. The tacos were not free, so we got more drinks and took their picture.

From: Brooklyn

Most excited for: Outkast and Jack White

Who would you add to the lineup? Mac DeMarco and Beyonce. Always Beyonce.

10.

Joey

Chilling in front of one of the many New York City-inspired murals, Joey was quick to show love to Chance The Rapper. When we asked him who the most influential artist of our time is, he talked about Chance's efforts to help the community and cut down on violence in Chicago.

From: Brooklyn

Most excited to see: Chance The Rapper, Childish Gambino, The Strokes

Most influential artist of our time: Chance The Rapper and Kanye West

11.

Meg Myers (@megmyers)

We met Meg a little over an hour after her set on the main Governors Ball stage on Sunday afternoon. It was an early set, but she screamed her lungs out and started the day off right. Check out her music here.

Spirit animal: Spider. That's not really it, but I took this test and that's what I got.

Most excited for: I have soundcheck (she had another show at Webster Hall that night), but if I was going to see other people today, James Blake.

First CD you ever bought: Shawn Colvin [starts singing 'Sunny Came Home'] or Goo Goo Dolls. Not what you'd expect, right?

12.

These two girls didn't want their names to be published. We assured them that nobody will read this post, so they let us take their picture.

From: Minnesota

Best concert you've ever been to: Awolnation

Who would you add to the lineup? Prince. We may be young, but Prince is who we'd love to see

13.

Elliot

Elliot was walking around during Earl Sweatshirt's set waving this flag that he made. We're pretty sure it's just a ripped shirt tied to a stick.

From: NYC

Most excited for: Outkast and Empire of the Sun

First CD you ever bought? Loggins and Messina

If you could add someone to the lineup, who would it be? LCD Soundsystem and The Rolling Stones

14.

Will

Will was with his dad, who volunteered to come to the festival with his son. Will's dad declined to be photographed, but was very supportive of everything Will wanted to do, including this interview, so thanks Will's dad.

From: Scarsdale, NY

Most excited for: J. Cole

First concert you went to: The Who

First CD you ever bought: I don't think I've ever bought a CD.

15.

Across the main field of Governors Ball, long strings of balloons arched through the sky. At night, a tiny light was attached to each balloon to make the strings light up. You'd think these balloon strings would be tied down or attached to something, but nope, it was this guy on the end, holding the string and hanging out with fans.

16.

Eric Diep (@E_Diep)

Eric is a friend and a writer at XXL. When we met up with him during Earl Sweatshirt's set on the last day of Governors Ball, we needed a few more portraits for the series. "Hey Eric, wanna be in our portraits post?"

Most excited for: Tyler, the Creator

Who would you add to the lineup? Action Bronson

What's your spirit animal? A liger.

17.

Talisa

Talisa was laying out in the sun relaxing on a blanket, but when the chance to be photographed came up, she was ready.

From: The Bronx

Most excited for: It was Outkast, but I couldn't even make it to see them so that sucked. But I'm also excited to see Fitz and the Tantrums.

What's your spirit animal: Tiger

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Italy

18.

When we asked to take this girl's picture she agreed, but before we got to ask any questions she lit a cigarette and walked off with her balloon. Now we'll never know what her spirit animal is.

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