Gov Ball 2026 Returns as NYC’s Ultimate Summer Kickoff
Summer has arrived in the Big Apple, and what better way to kick off the season than with Gov Ball, the annual music festival that takes over Flushing Meadows Corona Park during the first weekend of June?
This year’s fest took place this past weekend (June 5 – 7) with a lineup packed with some of the hottest acts of the moment – Audrey Hobert, The Dare, Mariah The Scientist, Jane Remover, Villanelle, Holly Humberstone, Geese, Stray Kids, Asap Rocky and more – so here’s a rundown of the star-studded weekend.
To kick off Friday, I made my way from the press tent to the main stage, where I caught bits of native New Yorkers’ Whatmore set. The crowd was impressive considering the 1 p.m. time slot and the nearly 90-degree heat. The sun beamed like a floodlight, with no clouds or shade in sight. I stayed in that area to catch Audrey Hobert’s set. I’ve recently been intrigued by her and loved the energy she brought. She sported a cool yellow mesh trench coat and even had a little trampoline on stage – iconic, honestly. The crowd went crazy when she began to sing ‘Thirst Trap’ from her debut LP Who’s The Clown?. I had to leave her set early and make my way to the artist village to help film an interview for a friend, but as luck would have it, their chat ended as soon as Hobert began to sing her last song, and the one I was looking forward to: ‘Sue Me’. The song recently found a second life after appearing in the hit TV series Off Campus, and it’s safe to say it has made me obsessed with her music.
Audrey Hobert at Gov Ball 2026. Credit: Charles Regan (Courtesy of The Governors Ball )
The Dare at Gov Ball 2026. Credit: Anna Downs (Courtesy of The Governors Ball)
King Princess at Gov Ball 2026. Credit Anna Downs Courtesy of The Governors Ball
One big and uncontrollable issue throughout the weekend was the unbearable heat. During the day, I missed acts I was looking forward to seeing because of the sweltering heat. I caught the first few songs of King Princess’ set, which were phenomenal, and got to check out The Dare bring his nightlife swagger to a midday slot. It was fun but also jarring, as I had never seen him perform in daylight. To close out day one of Gov Ball, Lorde came out and delivered a killer headlining set. She opened with her hit anthem ‘Royals’ and proceeded to play bangers such as ‘What Was That?’ ‘Buzzcut Season’, ‘Supercut’ and ended with ‘Ribs’. Her set was captivating, elevated by a fun yet minimalist stage setup featuring a water fountain, a rising TV screen, and a pair of backup dancers who performed an interpretive dance routine for most of the set.
Day two was off to a bumpy start due to an electrical storm that was making its way to the festival. Australian rockers Radio Free Alice were the first band I caught at the main stage. This was their first time performing at the festival, and they debuted their new track ‘Lunch Money’, which had been released the day before. Villanelle took over The Grove stage, also marking their first time at the NYC bash. 2Hollis was tearing up the main stage with fans cheering and roaring in the background. I then trekked over to the stage’s front of house to catch Wet Leg. They opened with ‘Catch These Fists’ and played a mix of songs from their 2022 self-titled debut and their 2025 LP ‘Moisturizer’. Frontwoman Rhian Teasdale is a force to be reckoned with, commanding the stage while the band hit every note with precision.
Lorde at Gov Ball 2026. Credit Maggie London. Courtesy of The Governors Ball
Radio Free Alice at Gov Ball 2026. Credit Ismael Quintanilla III. Courtesy of The Governors Ball
Wet Leg at Gov Ball 2026. Credit Rich Fury. Courtesy of The Governors Ball
While making my way back to the press area for some sparkling water and shade, attendees received an email announcing lineup changes as the approaching storm forced organizers to adjust the schedule.
The main acts I was looking forward to seeing – Blood Orange, Amyl and the Sniffers and Kali Uchis – had been cancelled and the likes of Major Lazer, Thee Sacred Souls and headliners Stray Kids had been bumped up. While making my way out of the festival grounds, I caught a bit of Stray Kids’ set and was impressed. Dedicated fans had been camped out since 11am for this moment. Each one decked out in cat ears, carrying collectable trading cards and tchotchkes, prepped for the boys. As soon as Stray Kids hit the stage, those fans were raging and rowdy. It was fun from a distance, but I made sure to evacuate the premises to avoid being caught in the storm.
Blood Orange at Gov Ball 2026. Credit Emma Wannie. Courtesy of The Governors Ball
Geese’s Cameron Winter at Gov Ball 2026. Credit Rich Fury. Courtesy of The Governors Ball
Alas, the final day of Gov Ball arrived with a new schedule. The festival was now starting an hour earlier due to the previous cancellations of performers the day before. Rachel Chinouriri took over the Snapchat stage, but midway through her set, the screens warned attendees that there was a storm headed over the festival. About 15 minutes later, a sudden downpour began. The rain caused a delay in performances, but to everyone’s excitement, Slayyyter’s set was still happening. She performed a fresh and rowdy set, with the crowd going wild during ‘Crank’ and set closer ‘Beat Up Chanel$’.
Blood Orange was now performing after having his set cut the day prior, and the anticipation was palpable. The crowd was packed, waiting for him to step on stage. He delivered an electric set, playing songs such as ‘Saint’, ‘Jesus Freak Lighter’ and the TikTok viral ‘Champagne Coast’. Geese were up next. I ran to the VIP section where I landed in front of the barricade and watched the New York rockers take over their hometown. Their set was eclectic, with their setlist being made up of tracks from their third LP, Getting Killed, as well as songs like ‘Crusades’ and ‘Cowboy Nudes’ off of their 2023 album ‘3D Country’.
Stray Kids at Gov Ball 2026. Credit @okaynicolita. Courtesy of The Governors Ball
Slayyyter at Gov Ball 2026. Credit Paigge Warton. Courtesy of The Governors Ball
A$AP Rocky at Gov Ball 2026. Credit Paigge Warton. Courtesy of The Governors Ball
A$AP Rocky at Gov ball 2026. Credit Roger Ho. Courtesy of The Governors Ball
To round out the night and close out the festival, A$AP Rocky took over the main stage in true rockstar fashion. Though he took the stage 25 minutes late, Rocky delivered a spectacle complete with two helicopters and backup dancers dressed as a SWAT team. He also gave his track ‘FLACKITO JODYE’ featuring Dominican rapper Tokischa its live debut. He played a selection of his hits including ‘Punk Rocky’, ‘Praise the Lord (Da Shine)’ and ‘Fashion Killa’. Sadly, due to tight curfew restrictions, his mic was cut off at 10pm, leaving attendees bummed out but honestly expected.
Overall, Gov Ball 2026 felt like a family vacation with all your favorite people in attendance. Even with oppressive heat, storm delays, and schedule shakeups, the festival never lost its spirit. The weekend was packed with standout performances, memorable moments, and the kind of communal energy that keeps fans coming back year after year. We’re already looking forward to next summer.
