Governors Ball New York: from K-pop to rock to A$AP Rocky

For the fourth year in a row, Governors Ball returned to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, NYC, bringing together over 50 incredible musical artists. The festival has firmly established itself as one of the must-attend events for music fans across the Northeast, and this year’s lineup delivered a memorable mix of rising talent, major headliners, and genre-spanning performances.

Friday got off to a strong start with queer favourite King Princess taking the Snapchat Stage in the afternoon. Despite the earlier time slot, fans showed up in full force as she performed a mix of favourites from across her discography, including “PAIN,” “Cheap Queen,” and “Prophet”. The crowd energy proved that an early afternoon set was no obstacle for a dedicated fanbase.

Del Water Gap by @okaynicolita and King Princess by Anna Downs. Cover image: Lorde by Rich Fury. Images courtesy of Governors Ball.

Over on the main stage, Del Water Gap also had a wonderful set on the main stage on the earlier side, but that didn’t stop his fans from jumping and singing along to “Perfume” or “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat”. The Dare brought one of the highest-energy performances of the entire festival. Many attendees agreed that seeing him perform in broad daylight felt unusual compared to the dark clubs and underground venues where his music thrives, but he still managed to create an electric atmosphere. Fans were jumping, screaming, and fully immersed during songs like “Eastside Girls” and “I Destroyed Disco”.

KATSEYE by @okaynicolita, image courtesy of Governors Ball.

KATSEYE brought a noticeably younger crowd, with many parents attending alongside their kids, creating a different atmosphere than some of the festival’s other sets. However, the group’s choreography and vocals completely won over the audience. Watching all five members constantly moving, singing, and perfectly coordinating on stage felt almost effortless — a true display of their performance skill.

Baby Keem and Lorde were major highlights of Friday, closing out the night with massive crowds ready to sing along to every favourite track. Fans erupted for tracks like “family ties” and “The Hillbillies,” turning his set into one of the most energetic moments of the day.

Baby Keem by Rich Fury. Image courtesy of Governors Ball.

Lorde by @okaynicolita and Anna Downs. Image courtesy of Governors Ball.

Lorde’s performance was one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend, and she completely lived up to the hype. Taking the stage with her signature emotional intensity, she created a more intimate atmosphere despite performing for one of the festival’s largest crowds. Moving between newer material and fan favourites from throughout her career, Lorde had the entire audience singing along to songs like “Royals,” “Green Light,” and “Ribs”. Her ability to make a massive festival stage feel personal was one of the standout moments of Friday night, closing out the day on a powerful and emotional note.

Saturday proved to be more unpredictable than expected, as weather conditions impacted the evening performances. The day started beautifully, with clear skies, sunshine, and a refreshing breeze keeping festivalgoers comfortable. 2hollis delivered an incredible set, even ending shirtless to the crowd’s excitement. Ravyn Lenae and Wet Leg also gave standout performances. Ravyn Lenae’s vocals were especially impressive as she performed favourites like “Bad Idea” and “Love Me Not,” while Wet Leg had a packed crowd singing along to hits like “Wet Dream” and “mangetout”.

Unfortunately, thunderstorms disrupted the evening schedule, forcing several changes to the lineup. Some artists were moved to earlier time slots, while others were cancelled or rescheduled. Kali Uchis fans experienced the biggest disappointment of the weekend when her entire performance was cancelled due to the incoming storms.

Major Lazer was moved to the Snapchat Stage, while Stray Kids were moved into an earlier slot. Stray Kids quickly became one of the most talked-about performances of the festival. Marking the first time a K-pop group headlined Governors Ball, the group brought one of the most dedicated fanbases of the weekend. Many fans waited throughout the entire day to secure front-row spots, and their commitment paid off with a high-energy performance. Those who stayed until the end also braved the severe summer thunderstorm that hit Queens just minutes after their set concluded.

Sunday brought a return to sunshine and celebration, beginning with Hemlocke Springs, who captivated the crowd with her ethereal vocals and infectious energy. She performed primarily songs from her debut album the apple tree under the sea, ending her set with “be the girl” and a heartfelt message about growth, change, and embracing new chapters in life.

The sunny weather did briefly disappear when a short rain delay affected Slayyyter’s performance, cutting her set about 15 minutes short. Fans were devastated, chanting “Justice for Slayyyter!” even after the performance ended. Thankfully, her team came prepared, throwing out Slayyyter-themed flags that doubled as rain protection for the crowd.

A major highlight of Sunday was Governors Ball successfully rescheduling Blood Orange for a new festival time slot. Jennie also drew an enormous crowd, further highlighting the growing presence of K-pop at the festival. Alongside artists like Stray Kids and KATSEYE, she helped bring a more international feel to this year’s lineup compared to previous years.

The final night was especially meaningful for New Yorkers as Harlem native A$AP Rocky headlined the festival. His performance was a massive production featuring a helicopter, dozens of dancers, and a dramatic SWAT team-inspired visual moment. He closed out the weekend with a hometown celebration that perfectly capped off another successful Governors Ball.