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During quarantine, Jack Antonoff explained, this band dreamed of performing live for fans. They dreamed of hearing specific notes again. Now, with their Gov Ball 2021 performance in conjunction with their Shadow of the City appearance and their 2021 tour, their dream is finally coming true. 

Here’s what we learned about “Rollercoaster” from Bleachers’ appearance at this music festival. 

Jack Antonoff of Bleachers performs during the 2021 Governors Ball Music Festival
Jack Antonoff of Bleachers performs during the 2021 Governors Ball Music Festival | Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Governors Ball

Bleachers performed at the Governors Ball main stage during the 2021 music festival

Antonoff collaborates with artists like Lorde, Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, FKA Twigs, and others. Additionally, this artist releases music in conjunction with the band Bleachers. In 2021, the group appeared at the New York City music festival, Governors Ball. 

Billie Eilish, Post Malone, and A$AP Rocky are among the other artists performing at this festival. As one of the artists appearing at the main stage, Bleachers performed for a screaming crowd, most attendees screaming the lyrics to songs like “I Wanna Get Better” there was even some light moshing. 

Bleachers played their 2014 hit ‘Rollercoaster’ at Governors Ball Music Festival

After removing his denim jacket to reveal a Freddie Mercury-esque outfit, this band played several fan-favorite songs, from “How Dare You Want More” to “Everybody Lost Somebody.” Antonoff gave a shoutout to a “tristate girl” and briefly talked about growing up in New Jersey before “Chinatown.”

However, before performing “Rollercoaster,” a low note hummed from the keyboard, which Antonoff explained is the band’s sound. While writing music with that keyboard, the artist dreamed about “big guitars and big drums.” 

He dreamed about “big crowds,” and he dreamed of performing at Governors Ball. The keyboard cut out, and Antonoff said that was the sound of 2020, but when that same low note returned, he shared that it was the hopeful sound of 2021.

This artist encouraged fans to get on each other’s shoulders and then played the 2014 release. Bleachers shared another version of this story before performing “Rollercoaster” at the Shadow of the City music festival, held in Asbury Park just a few weeks prior. 

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All the Times Jack Antonoff (And Bleachers) Shared Their Love for New Jersey

Bleachers headlined the 2021 Shadow of the City music festival

This performance wouldn’t be the first time Antonoff appeared at New York City’s music festival, as this artist performed alongside Lorde during her 2017 set. During 2021, however, the full band headlined the Shadow of the City music festival, held at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ.

Some Bleachers songs even explore the idea of identifying somewhere between New Jersey and New York, including the Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night track “Chinatown,” featuring Bruce Springsteen. 

Antonoff himself is a proud New Jersey native. In one video, he even sat in the Holland Tunnel, on the border between New York and New Jersey. 

Music by Bleachers is available for streaming on most major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.

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