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Governors Ball Music Festival

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"Governors Ball" redirects here. For the annual post-Academy Awards party, see Oscar party.

Governors Ball Music Festival
StatusActive
GenreMusic festival
FrequencyAnnually
VenueGovernors Island (2011)
Randalls Island (2012–2019)
Citi Field, Queens (2021–2022)
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens (2023–present)
LocationsNew York City, United States
Years active15
InauguratedJune 18, 2011 (2011-06-18)
Previous event
June 5–7, 2026
Attendance150,000 (2015)[1]
Websitegovernorsballmusicfestival.com

The Governors Ball Music Festival (commonly known as Governors Ball or Gov Ball) is a multi-day music festival held in New York City, United States. Launched in 2011 by Jordan Wolowitz, Tom Russell, Yoni Reisman, the festival features a variety of genres and styles of music, including rock, electronic, hip-hop, indie, Americana, pop, and folk. It is produced by Founders Entertainment, a festival promotion company based in New York City, which also produced The Meadows Music & Arts Festival. Along with the music artists, the festival also features numerous New York-based restaurants and food trucks, as well as activities and games.

The festival is named for its original location, Governors Island, although only the 2011 event was held there. The festival therefore has no affiliation to any official with the title "governor".

History

[edit]
Main article: Governors Ball Music Festival line-ups

2011

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The inaugural Governors Ball was held on June 18, 2011, at Governors Island in New York City. The one-day festival was headlined by Girl Talk, Pretty Lights, and Empire of the Sun.[2] Governors Ball Music festival 2011 amassed the highest attendance of any event in Governors Island's history,[citation needed] outselling Dave Matthews Band Caravan and Bassnectar's Bass Island in 2011. Reviews for the 2011 festival were positive, with Flavorwire reporting, "As many area festival attempts often fall flat due to poor execution, the Governors Ball was a pleasant exception to the rule, leaving us looking forward to its return next year,"[3] and Gothamist reported, "A gorgeous day at Governors Island...everyone seemed to leave sunburned and happy."[4]

2012

[edit]

Governors Ball 2012, the second iteration of the festival, was held on June 23 and 24 at Randalls Island in New York City. Expanding to a two-day event, the festival featured more music artists in order to fill both days. It was headlined by Passion Pit, Kid Cudi, Chromeo, Modest Mouse, Beck, and Explosions in the Sky.[5] Randalls Island was chosen as the new venue of the festival due to the event's growth.[citation needed] Food offerings at the 2012 event included Coolhaus ice cream, Luke's Lobster, Waffles & Dinges, Mexicue, Food Freaks, Philz Steaks, Ports Coffee, and Pie for the People. Activities at the event included lawn games such as cornhole, ladder golf, and croquet (sponsored by Zogsports), ping pong (sponsored by SPiN New York), and silent disco. Reviews of the 2012 festival were overwhelmingly positive.[6][7]

2013

[edit]
Kanye West headlined the festival in 2013.

Governors Ball 2013, the third iteration of the festival, was held on June 7 to 9 at Randalls Island.[8] It was headlined by Kings of Leon, Guns N' Roses, and Kanye West.[9]

It rained heavily on the opening day of the festival, which caused massive transportation delays to and from the island. The festival was also forced to shut down early on Friday evening due to weather-related safety concerns, and several shows were cancelled, including that of headliner Kings of Leon. Much of the festival grounds were mud by Saturday morning.[10]

2014

[edit]
Outkast performing at the festival in 2014

Governors Ball 2014, the fourth iteration of the festival, was held on June 6 to 8 at Randalls Island. It was headlined by Outkast, Phoenix, TV on the Radio, Jack White, The Strokes, Skrillex, Vampire Weekend, and Axwell Λ Ingrosso.[11]

2015

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Governors Ball 2015, the fifth iteration of the festival, was held on June 5 to 7 at Randalls Island. It was headlined by Drake, The Black Keys, deadmau5, and Florence and the Machine.[12] It rained during the second day, but, unlike previous years, the festival was not cancelled and continued despite delays.[13]

2016

[edit]
Festival entrance as it appeared in 2016

Governors Ball 2016, the sixth iteration of the festival, was held on June 3 to 5 at Randalls Island. It was headlined by The Killers and The Strokes.[14] All three days of the festival sold out.[15]

On Saturday evening, the festival grounds were subject to heavy rains, but the event was not cancelled.[16] However, the Sunday concert was cancelled due to heavy rain and safety concerns, and fans received refunds; festival management stated the cancelation was for "the safety of fans, artists and crew".[16]

The cancellation of Sunday's shows led to some artists announcing pop-up shows. That night, Two Door Cinema Club played at the Music Hall of Williamsburg,[17] Courtney Barnett played a free show at Rough Trade,[18] Prophets of Rage played at Warsaw Brooklyn,[19] and Vic Mensa (tag-teaming with Galantis, who had a scheduled "After Dark" performance) played a sold-out concert at Webster Hall.[20] Kanye West announced he would hold a 2:00 am show somewhere in Manhattan; anticipating this, crowds began to gather at venues across the city. Musician 2 Chainz posted that they would be at Webster Hall; over 4,000 fans rushed to the venue, blocking streets and triggering an NYPD response. West arrived at the venue, but did not perform.[21]

2017

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Governors Ball 2017, the seventh iteration of the festival, was held on June 2 to 4 at Randalls Island.[22] It was headlined by Tool, Chance the Rapper, and Phoenix.[23] Tickets for the festival went on sale on January 6, 2017, and the performers for the 2017 edition of Governors Ball was announced on January 4, 2017.[24][25]

2018

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Governors Ball 2018, the eighth iteration of the festival, was held on June 1 to 3 at Randalls Island. It was headlined by Eminem, Jack White, and Travis Scott.[26]

Brockhampton was originally scheduled to perform at the festival, however, the hip hop group was subsequently replaced in the lineup by Pusha T following sexual misconduct allegations involving former band member Ameer Vann.[27]

2019

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Governors Ball 2019, the ninth iteration of the festival, was held on May 31 to June 2 at Randalls Island. It was headlined by The Strokes, Tyler, the Creator, and Florence and the Machine.[28]

On Sunday, there was a delayed opening at 6:30 pm, and an evacuation around 9:30 pm because of severe thunderstorms. This resulted in the majority of the day's acts being cancelled or shortened.[citation needed]

2020 (cancelled)

[edit]

Governors Ball 2020, the tenth iteration of the festival, was to be held on June 5 to 7 at Randalls Island, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[29][30] It would have been headlined by Tame Impala, Missy Elliott, Flume, and Vampire Weekend.[31]

2021

[edit]

Governors Ball 2021, the tenth iteration of the festival, was held on September 24 to 26 in the parking lot area of Citi Field. It was headlined by Billie Eilish, ASAP Rocky, and Post Malone.[32] This was the first time since 2012, that the festival was not held on Randalls Island, as well as the first time the festival was held outside of its usual June time frame.[33]

2022

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Governors Ball 2022, the eleventh iteration of the festival, was held on June 10 to 12 at Citi Field. It was headlined by Kid Cudi, Halsey, and J. Cole.[34]

2023

[edit]

Governors Ball 2023, the twelfth iteration of the festival, was held on June 9 to 11 at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens. It was headlined by Kendrick Lamar, Lizzo, and Odesza.[35]

2024

[edit]

Governors Ball 2024, the thirteenth iteration of the festival, was held on June 7 to 9 at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens. It was headlined by Post Malone, The Killers, and SZA.[36]

2025

[edit]

Governors Ball 2025, the fourteenth iteration of the festival, was held on June 6 to 8 at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was headlined by Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Hozier.[37]

2026

[edit]

Governors Ball 2026, the fifteenth iteration of the festival, was held on June 5 to 7 at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was headlined by Lorde, Stray Kids, and ASAP Rocky.[38]

On Saturday, the event was shortened due to thunderstorms, postponing Blood Oranges' set to Sunday and canceling the sets of Kali Uchis and Amyl and the Sniffers.[39]

All performers

[edit]

2011[40]

[edit]

2012[41]

[edit]

Day 1

[edit]

Day 2

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Waddell, Ray (June 9, 2015). "Governors Ball Has 'Best Year Yet,' Says Producer, Looking Ahead to New Country Fest". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  2. ^ "Governors Ball 2011 Lineup and Schedule". SeatGeek. June 9, 2011. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  3. ^ Levy, Doug (June 20, 2011). "Photo Highlights from NYC's Governors Ball Music Festival". Flavorwire.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  4. ^ Robbins, Christopher (June 20, 2011). "Governors Ball 2011: Just Fine If You Made The Ferry". Gothamist.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  5. ^ Breihan, Tom (February 21, 2012). "Governors Ball 2012 Lineup". Stereogum. Retrieved April 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Governors Ball 2012 at Randalls Island (SLIDE SHOW)". Timeout.com. June 24, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  7. ^ "30 Days of Summer". Vogue. May 25, 2012. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012.
  8. ^ Hatfield, Amanda (September 18, 2012). "Governors Ball beats odds, 2013 dates announced". Brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  9. ^ McGovern, Kyle (January 22, 2013). "Governors Ball 2013 Lineup: Kanye West, Dinosaur Jr., Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Grizzly Bear". SPIN. Retrieved April 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Governors Ball 2013: Kings of Leon Rained Out on Opening Day". Billboard. June 8, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  11. ^ Schneider, Marc (January 15, 2014). "Governors Ball 2014: Outkast, Jack White, Vampire Weekend, The Strokes". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ Sharp, Elliott (February 19, 2015). "Drake, Black Keys Headline Governors Ball 2015". Red Bull. Retrieved April 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ Rettig, James (January 7, 2015). "Governors Ball 2015 Lineup". Stereogum. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  14. ^ "Kanye West, The Strokes, The Killers to Headline Governors Ball 2016: See Full Lineup". Billboard. January 8, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "The Governors Ball Music Festival 2016 Tickets, New York". Eventbrite.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  16. ^ a b Heins, Scott (June 5, 2016). "Day 3 of Governor's Ball cancelled". Gothamist.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  17. ^ "Two Door Cinema Club on Twitter: "NYC!!! Here we fucking go!! Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight!"". Twitter. June 5, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  18. ^ "courtney barnett on Twitter: "Cos of cancelled show at @GovBallNYC we r doin a free show at @RoughTradeNYC Doors at 8:30pm - show 9pm "". Twitter. June 5, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  19. ^ "Prophets of Rage on Twitter: "POR will play @WarsawConcerts in Brooklyn tonight in place of cancelled @GovBallNYC show. No line ups before 4pm. "". Twitter. June 5, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  20. ^ "vino on Twitter: "Governors Ball Got Cancelled. Im Throwing a #Raincheck Show and Buying the 1st 150 Tix for U. NYC Webster Hall"". Twitter. June 5, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  21. ^ Caramancia, Jon. "And Like a Tweet in the Night, Kanye Was Gone". The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  22. ^ Sharp, Elliott (May 4, 2018). "Governors Ball 2017 Lineup Breakdown". Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  23. ^ Minsker, Evan (January 4, 2017). "Governors Ball 2017 Lineup: Chance the Rapper, Tool, Phoenix Headline". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ Suarez, Alexandra (January 4, 2017). "How To Buy Governors Ball Tickets 2017: Chance the Rapper, Flume, Tool And More To Headline New York City Music Festival". International Business Times. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  25. ^ "Governors Ball Lineup Revealed". Pollstar. January 4, 2017. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  26. ^ Russell, Scott (January 3, 2018). "Governors Ball 2018 Lineup Revealed: Eminem, Jack White, Travis Scott, Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Headline". Paste. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  27. ^ Lamarre, Carl (May 29, 2018). "Pusha T Will Replace Brockhampton at Governors Ball Music Festival". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  28. ^ Gray, Julia (January 7, 2019). "Governors Ball 2019 Lineup". Stereogum. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  29. ^ "Info". The Governors Ball Music Festival. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  30. ^ Yoo, Noah (March 26, 2020). "Governors Ball 2020 Canceled". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  31. ^ Hatfield, Amanda (January 27, 2020). "Governors Ball reveals 2020 lineup by day". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  32. ^ Nolfi, Joey (May 4, 2021). "Governors Ball returns with Billie Eilish, Post Malone, more among 2021 lineup". Entertainment Weekly.
  33. ^ Lynch, Scott (September 25, 2021). "Photos: Gov Ball Returns With Billie Eilish, Leon Bridges & Many Fans". Gothamist.
  34. ^ "The Governors Ball Music Festival | June 10–12, 2022 | New York, NY". The Governors Ball Music Festival. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  35. ^ Corcoran, Nina (January 17, 2023). "Governors Ball 2023 Lineup Announced: Kendrick Lamar, Lizzo, Haim, and More". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ "Lineup". Gov Ball. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024.
  37. ^ "Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, the Creator, Hozier to Headline Governors Ball 2025 Festival". Variety.
  38. ^ "Governors Ball 2026 Lineup Announced". Live Nation Newsroom. January 6, 2026. Retrieved April 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ Staff, Pollstar (June 6, 2026). "Governors Ball Ends Early Due To Bad Weather, Kali Uchis, Amyl & The Sifters Sets Cut, Blood Orange Returning Tomorrow - Pollstar News". news.pollstar.com. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  40. ^ "Governors Ball 2011 Setlists". setlist.fm. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  41. ^ Breihan, TBBy Tom (February 21, 2012). "Governors Ball 2012 Lineup". stereogum.com. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
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