Summer is about to start, and with that, there’s another festival on the horizon. The Governors Ball Music Festival, aka Governors Ball or Gov Ball, is a three-day music festival held in New York City. When the event had its first iteration in 2011, it was a single-day event on Governors Island, moving onto Randall’s Island for years and then heading to Queen’s Citi Field in 2021. For the first time, the festival will take place at Flushing Meadows Corona Park this year, an iconic site that has hosted two World’s Fairs and is the home of the annual U.S. Open.
Taking place from June 9 to 11, Governors Ball will have many performances from established and emerging artists from different genres. Whether you’re into K-pop or rap, this three-day festival is one you have to attend in June.
Though Ice Spice, Eladio Carrion, and Sabrina Claudio may be the only Latine artists on the lineup, you can enjoy both the Sauce Boy and the princess of the Bronx on Friday (June 9) and the Floridian crooner on Sunday (June 11). There are also big names outside the Latine world performing, like, Odesza, Giveon, Koffee, and Lil Nas X.
With three stages, Governors Ball will have you singing, dancing, and rapping to all of your favorite artists. With more than 60 acts to choose from at the festival, choosing who you should see during the weekend can get a bit overwhelming. But worry not, for we got you covered with a guide on who you should definitely see to have an unforgettable musical experience.
Ice Spice
The rising half-Dominican and Bronx native Ice Spice was added to the lineup in late March of this year. Fans will surely experience her hits like “Munch” or “In Ha Mood,” and perhaps even witness a surprise appearance by Queens Native Nicki Minaji for a special performance of the “Princess Diana” remix. Either way, Ice Spice kicking off the festival is the perfect way to start off the summer in New York.
Eladio Carrion
Fresh off his highly-anticipated sets at Coachella and Sueños Festival, Eladio Carrion is bringing his sauce to New York. We’re sure to hear songs from his past discography, but we’re particularly looking forward to seeing him perform his latest work, 3MEN2 KBRN, an album featuring collaborations with some of the biggest names in hip-hop like 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Future, Fivio Foreign, Lil Tjay, Quavo, and more. Given that the festival is in Queens and 50 Cent is from that borough, it wouldn’t be a shocker if we see the duo perform their single “Si Salimos,” which was a track waiting for the “In Da Club” rapper to add his rhymes to for two years.
aespa
Just as Latine talent started to slowly be included in more festival lineups a few years ago post-“Despacito,” K-pop artists are starting to experience a similar inclusion. After having a short, surprise set at last year’s Coachella, the all-girl ensemble aespa is the first K-pop act to play this New York festival. Consisting of members Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, these ladies will bring fierce choreography, statement outfits, and catchy verses to the Gov Ball stage. Songs like “Next Level” and “Spicy” have easy-to-sing-along lyrics that will even have non-K-pop stans chanting along.
Lizzo
Lizzo may be amidst her own tour and other festival performances, but she’s still bringing her Black Girl Magic to the east coast. As Friday’s headliner, the Detroit native will shine with her sparkly outfits and give attendees an unforgettable performance with everyone’s favorite songs, like “About Damn Time” and “Truth Hurts.” So if you didn’t get to see her and the infamous clarinet skills, Gov Ball is your chance to see it.
PinkPantheress
It should be considered a great thing for attendees that PinkPantheress and Ice Spice are going to be at the same festival, given the success of their collaboration “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2.” Seeing the two on stage together will be the perfect way to end the weekend. The British artist became a viral sensation on TikTok in 2021 and is bringing her hits single “Just for Me” and “Pain” from her debut mixtape To Hell with It to the festival’s GovBallNYC stage.