Gov Ball Day 2: Here Comes The Lemon Twigs, and the Sun

Following a torrential downpour that left thousands crowding around the front gate eagerly awaiting entrance into the delayed festival, indie rock band The Lemon Twigs had the unenviable job of getting the festival back on track and the energy up as the newly billed first set of the day. The festival grounds were desolate as security screened those gathered outside, a trickle of people congregating around the Grove Stage when brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario and their live performance musicians Danny Ayala and Reza Matin strolled on stage and donned their instruments. Brian acknowledged the lack of enthusiasm due to the day’s rough start, saying, “A smattering of applause,” to which Michael wryly chimed in, “Geez, it’s overwhelming.” The band was nonetheless set on overcoming the poor hand they’d been dealt, given that they survived the brutal cuts that had been made and still had the chance to play Gov Ball. Michael announced to the crowd, “We’d like to say hello to the governor if you’re listening, hello and thank you for throwing this ball,” repeating a joke he had made offstage directly before the set time. Microphone feedback rang out across the sparse crowd, a moment of quirky comedy akin to Michael Cera in all his charming discomfort. Drummer Reza counted in and Brian jumped cleanly into the air, knees tucked, as the bright melody of These Golden Years began. The band was perfectly spaced throughout the stage, the three string players lined up along the front of the stage with drums behind. The setup was uncannily similar to The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, though their outfits were bona fide 1970s: fitted tops and flare jeans and colorful stripes to complement their long locks. The Lemon Twigs are clearly inspired by these eras; like The Beatles, they are a balanced four-piece outfit and true musicians’ band that creates beautifully complex harmonies in their live shows. 

The Lemon Twigs by Toby Tenenbaum.

Without fanfare, the band moved onto the unreleased track I’ve Got A Broken Heart, a breezy and bouncy lovesick song with a marching refrain of “I can’t stop my feelings…they’re up to the ceiling.” The song exemplifies the band’s tendency toward prominent vocals, in this case a slightly nasally vocal character with soaring notes and charming high hums. Brian and Michael insistently sang out, “Other girls they never meant a thing to me,” Brian emitting a raspy yell and loping to the very front of the stage, where he rhythmically swung to his guitar playing. Next up was the melancholy yet buoyant What You Were Doing, yet another example of The Lemon Twigs’ layered, complex melodies and Reza’s readiness to supply a drum fill. The musicians kept up their subtly infectious energy, Brian leaping into the air and Michael high-kicking. When Brian and Danny accidentally knocked into each other, Brian leaned in for a comment that made them both laugh without missing a single beat of the song. There were plenty more exchanged glances and moments between the band members throughout the set, a testament to their strength as a cohesive unit held together by their individual essentialness to the music. At this point, the sun was shining unflinchingly down on the Grove Stage field, and the small crowd was grooving and undulating to the catchy, nostalgic tunes and their overwhelmingly feel-good lyrics. Michael enthusiastically chirped, “Thank you! Wow!” a phrase he would repeat throughout the set. With some of the tension of the morning dispersed, Brian cracked, “Some people are calling Governor’s Ball 2025 the Woodstock ‘69 of now.” Michael, he who had interjected with “World’s Fair,” earnestly commented, “I hope this goes a little better than that.”

Brian D'Addario of The Lemon Twigs captured by Toby Tenenbaum.

The band made sure of that, jumping into the infectious, loopy hook of The One after an energetic yowl from Michael, who swiftly popped into the air with his legs split apart. Reza joined in on the vocal harmonies for this number, the band sonically resembling Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys more and more with each additional layer of the music. After the small but devoted group of fans sang along to In My Head, an anthem of awkwardness, Michael declared, “We love you! All of you! This one goes out from all of us to all of you everywhere,” before launching into Church Bells. It was the perfect song to dedicate to the masses, the tinkling, bell-like verses proclaiming, “So many wonderful people…So many beautiful people.” Though the band had done their kicking, jumping, and swaying from their respective zones of the stage throughout the set, they suddenly made a monumental move, switching positions and instruments. Michael stepped back to drums while Reza picked up the guitar, Brian donned a bass, and Danny sat down at keys. The musicians played Any Time of Day seamlessly, showcasing that their talented musicianship is by no means limited. Brian took up lead vocals for the first time that day, his incredibly clear voice harboring deep, caramel-y grooves. The dreamy harpsichord and soft percussion of the track lent to the sensation of listening to a vintage vinyl on a clear summer day with the windows open, curtains billowing in the wind. The multi-instrumentalists strode back to their original positions, seemingly looser after their shuffle, and kicked off Ghost Run Free with a simultaneous leap by the brothers Brian and Michael. Brian continued to helm vocals, while Michael roamed around the stage with his guitar. 

The Lemon Twigs address Tonitruale readers before heading onstage. (Video by author Brandi Martin)

Following the near-constant infusion of energy to the festival, which had been steadily filling up, the band went mellow for the groovy ballad Corner of My Eye. With this track, Brian showcased his impressive vocal range and falsetto, which is perfectly suited to the 60s- and 70s-inspired indie rock that The Lemon Twigs has mastered, his clear voice ringing out with inflected hints of nostalgic nasalliness on the line “Now I really wanna see you more.” The band sent the energy soaring for their final song, ending on a rock and rolling high note with Rock On: Over and Over, a tune that sounds like an obscure HELP! B-Side, or an early version of Twist and Shout. The frenetic song culminated in an increasingly rapid jam session of rising action, brought to a rousing end by a simultaneous jump by Michael and Brian. For the final time, Michael cried out, “Thank you! Wow,” his voice imbued with genuine delight. Brian leaned in to add, “It’s a day we’ll never forget,” before the band exited the stage. The crowd set off in pursuit of more music, the mood noticeably elevated and the sun welcomed back.

Brandi Martin

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Toby Tenenbaum

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