Franz Ferdinand // Brooklyn, NY
Franz Ferdinand, Omni, WANNA -- Warsaw (Gov Ball Afterparty) | Brooklyn, NY | 5 June 2017
Photos Courtesy of: Edwina Hay
For the third year, Governors Ball offered additional concerts in conjunction with their seventh annual festival called “Governors Ball After Dark.” This year’s series of After Dark shows began on Thursday, June 1st and concluded on Wednesday, June 8th. On Monday, June 5th, Glasgow’s Franz Ferdinand headlined a sold out show at Warsaw in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
I first saw Franz Ferdinand live in 2004 after the release of their self-titled record. Back then, they played a free show at Virgin Megastore in Union Square that’s now a bank branch 13 years later. The quintet kicked off their set with “Jacqueline” from that record and the crowd sang along in unison. The band saw support from WANNA, a Brooklyn band with seven members on stage, with drummer Josh Mac also singing main vocals. WANNA was followed by Atlanta’s Omni, who are touring with FF.
Franz Ferdinand performed a nearly 20 song set list, with a three song encore. Frontman Alex Kapranos was all over the stage; kicking and jumping, singing and playing guitar, and leaving the stage to interact with fans. After singing along and dancing as much as I could near the soundbooth (I am recovering from a broken foot afterall), I left the venue wondering why on earth it took me so long to experience them live again.
Governors Ball Music Festival 2015 // NYC
Music Festivals in NYC have historically been a flop, sometimes even cancelled before they have a chance to flop. Poor weather conditions, low ticket sales, lack of wide open spaces to handle the crowds are all contributing factors.
Fortunately Governors Ball Music Festival on NYC’s Randall’s Island is one festival that seems to have survived, and thrived against all odds (we will not soon forget Mud Ball 2013). Not only has it thrived, but it was even voted “Festival of Year” by Consequence of Sound in 2014.
I spent three great days on Randall Island to cover Governors Ball for Impose Magazine this year, and here are some of the best things I saw at Gov Ball 2015!
Photos + Words by Ester Segretto Photography 2015
