<\/a><\/p>\n

Mother Nature rained heavily down on this year’s Governor’s Ball<\/a>, which took place on Randall’s Mud Pit<\/del> Island. \u00a0It was a test, and us New Yorkers proved that we sure have some spunk, staying true to the festival’s slogan: \u00a0“You’re doing great!”<\/p>\n

I earned\u00a0personal\u00a0emblems of a successful music festival: purple bruises made to look like sunsets on my skin, irreparably damaged white Air Force Ones, and an inevitable cold from being wet for the duration of Saturday. \u00a0The last one, I deserved. That morning, the weatherman and I were adamant that I wouldn’t need a jacket.<\/p>\n

Then, there was Sunday’s disappointing full-day cancellation that left legions of fans\u00a0angry because they traveled x amount of miles to see Kanye or Death Cab for Cutie. When I got the news, I remained motionless on the couch, silently crying the tears I’d have shed at\u00a0Death Cab’s closing set.<\/p>\n

And the biggest curse of a festival, as always, is not being able to be in two places at once. \u00a0I was sad to have missed Big Grams or another fun show from Matt and Kim because I parked myself at the main stage all of Friday. And even on Sunday while I was camping out for a last-minute Two Door Cinema Club ticket, I was also committed to missing two surely phenomenal performances by Courtney Barnett and Prophets of Rage, both just a walk away.<\/p>\n

But I digress. Let’s end this one with some highs, shall we?<\/p>\n

The Strokes covered “Clampdown” for the first time since 2004
\n<\/strong>To be fair, I could peg the whole set as my favorite part of the festival. When I was 11, I used to blast this Clash cover on my iPod, fantasizing that I might one day hear it live. That, and “Red Light,” which they performed for the first time since 2010. Everyone and their mothers know that The Strokes are my favorite band, but even I can objectively say that lately, they haven’t been at their best. However, on the heels of a new EP whose songs fit seamlessly into their set, New York’s finest garage rockers showed that they’ve been revived with a new positive energy. \u00a0The best feeling was watching the expressions as all five of them performed with unrivaled mastery, looking truly happy to be together.<\/p>\n