Another successful year of New York’s Governors Ball Music Festival recently wrapped up earlier this month. Taking place at Citi Field in Queens, NY for it's 11th year, fans gathered for headliners J. Cole, Halsey, and Kid Cudi. As the doors of the 7 train opened and people started to flood the festival grounds, it felt so great to be back watching live music. The lineup showcased some of the best talents of today with Jack Harlow, Glass Animals, Japanese Breakfast, Quinn XCII, BENEE, and many more. Although there was one less stage this year, it wasn’t short of an adrenaline inducing, action-packed 3 days. Everyone in attendance was not only wearing exotic outfits, but wearing their best and brightest moods, feeding off each other's energy. The incessant incredible music from stage to stage had people running back and forth to ensure a good spot to see who was next to play.

‍

‍

‍

On Friday, the good vibes were brought right away with Plastic Picnic starting off the festival with their relaxing alternative sound to loosen up the crowd. As you walked over to the Bacardi stage afterwards, Paris Texas kicked it up a notch to amp up the crowd with their rap-rock alternative angst. As the sun began to set, with countless artists in between, Jack Harlow took the stage fresh off the release of his latest, highly anticipated album Come Home the Kids Miss You. The sea of a crowd was locked in, jumping and singing every word to his songs. No music festival rarely goes completely smoothly – Migos were supposed to play Friday but were replaced by Lil Wayne just before the festival started. Hours before Lil Wayne was due to play, there was an announcement that Wayne could no longer make it, so A$AP Ferg showed up and put on one of the most hype and energetic sets of the festival, being back in his hometown. Kid Cudi closed out Friday night, with an entergalactic, ethereal performance that had the whole crowd electric. From his older songs to newer, the  audience had no short of a one-of-a-kind experience.

‍

‍

‍

Saturday’s performers brought an electrifying feel to Citi Field with crowd pleaser, BENEE bringing one of the best early day performances. Denzel Curry, Ashnikko, and Gus Dapperton followed with performances that made the crowd revitalized from the night before, and pumped up for what was to come later in the day. DJ Diesel (SHAQ) hit the stage and it seemed like everyone in attendance went to watch his set. His huge presence and killer DJ set had everyone dancing like a fool and it felt like no one wanted it to end. To continue the no music festival goes smoothly theme, Roddy Ricch got detained on his way to the festival. Although the crowd was disappointed, they all ran over to the Go Puff stage for Flume's set, one of my favorite sets of the weekend. Flume delivered a beautiful light show that had fans entranced complementing his euphoric music style. Halsey closed out Saturday night with one of the most highly anticipated sets of the weekend that definitely did not disappoint.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

Sunday started off with a Gov Ball tradition, the threat of storms on the radar. But alas, it wasn’t more than a drizzle as the crowd started to roll in. Indie-rock artist Soccer Mommy kicked things off with a performance that gave the crowd a sneak peak of their soon to be released album Sometimes, Forever. As the clouds broke and the rain stopped, more artists hit the stage with perfect performances. Del Water Gap, Becky G, and Clairo all brought out last day energy as the hours of the festival started to tick away. Duckwrth’s groovy set got the crowd warmed up for what was to come the rest of the evening. As the crowd made its way over to KAYTRANADA, there was a good feeling in the air, everyone was dancing and it was a true happy, Gov Ball experience. As J. Cole’s music started, the crowd was jumping with anticipation. He played hit after hit and everyone was singing every word as he hit us with one of the better performances ranging from his whole discography. After his set, Playboi Carti was still going on and as the crowd trickled in, it was quite the experience. An ominous, extremely hype set that was one of – if not the most energetic of the weekend.

Despite some last minute changes and potential storms on the horizon, the festival energy didn’t stop the fans from enjoying their favorite music, having fun, or taking in every moment that was Governors Ball 2022. See you next year.