Who to see at Governors Ball 2022
This weekend, the Governors Ball Music Festival will return to Citi Field in Queens for its eleventh annual edition. Spanning a wide array of genres, the lineup is as eclectic as ever. In anticipation, we’re diving into some of the acts that we’re most excited to check out.
Friday
Paris Texas (1:30 PM – 2:15 PM)
With a BROCKHAMPTON co-sign contributing to their already growing momentum, Paris Texas are an up-and-coming hip-hop duo hailing from Los Angeles. The group boasts an eclectic mix of influences, ranging from OutKast to King Krule. They released two EPs in 2021, Boy Anonymous and Red Hand Akimbo, showcasing their ability to blend hip-hop with heavier punk aesthetics. With a captivating energy that bleeds through their music, Paris Texas is a duo to watch, and catching them this weekend is an opportunity to hop on the train early.
beabadoobee (3:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
After steadily building buzz with a string of EPs released on Dirty Hit and opening runs for Clairo and The 1975, Filipino-British singer/songwriter Beatrice Laus is releasing her second studio album as beabadoobee on July 15th. Beatopia has the potential to be a full creative breakthrough – all three singles from the record have been fantastic, displaying an impressive amount of growth from her debut, Fake It Flowers. Crowds at her shows may only keep getting bigger, so mid-afternoon on Friday is a great chance to see her.
JPEGMAFIA (4:15 PM – 5:15 PM)
One of the weirder hip-hop artists to emerge in the past decade, JPEGMAFIA has made a name for himself with insane production that can be disorientingly dizzy or energizing and hard-hitting (or both when you’re lucky). He started with cloud rap projects in the mid 2010s, and has since evolved into a hip-hop juggernaut, producing hundreds of songs for projects and each time only selecting the cream of the crop. His most recent full-length project, LP!, combines JPEGMAFIA’s signature off the wall production and crazy sound play with more mainstream styles, coming together into an extremely captivating listen. JPEGMAFIA is one of the most exciting artists in hip-hop right now, and his live shows are a great way to get a feel for his unique energy – be sure to check him out this weekend.
Lil Wayne (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
Atlanta hip hop group Migos originally had this time slot, but after the members unfollowed each other on social media in May, Quavo and Takeoff released a single “Hotel Lobby” with Offset conspicuously absent. Doubts began to arise around the likelihood of Migos reuniting to perform their set, and sure enough, Lil Wayne was just selected to replace them. Wayne needs no introduction – his kaleidoscopic bars, autotuned flows, and even his face tattoos have all spawned countless imitators throughout the last decade of hip-hop. With a legendary catalog of hits to draw from, his set on Friday evening will surely be unmissable.
Update, 6/13: A few hours before he was scheduled to perform, Lil Wayne pulled out of the show due to flight complications, and his slot was filled by A$AP Ferg.
Kid Cudi (8:45 PM)
Friday’s headlining slot belongs to Kid Cudi, another massively influential hip-hop artist. The openness of his lyrics, in which he frequently describes his struggles with depression and substance abuse, helped a new generation of hip-hop artists face their darkest demons through their music. Artists ranging from Kendrick Lamar to Juice WRLD have cited Cudi’s introspective lyrics, conveyed through a blend of singing and rapping, as an influence. Cudi’s next project, the album and Netflix animated series Entergalactic, is expected to be released this summer, and his set will likely offer the first live performance of the album’s lead single “Do What I Want,” which is also releasing this Friday.
Saturday
Denzel Curry (5:45 PM – 6:45 PM)
Denzel Curry has been one of the most consistent rappers of the last decade, releasing compelling projects every year that effortlessly transition through a wide variety of genres in hip-hop. He is equal parts captivating for his endless flow switch-ups, aggressive presence, and detailed production. This year, Curry released his much anticipated album Melt My Eyez See Your Future, demonstrating more versatility than he ever has on a single project. At this point, Curry is a household name in hip-hop and a must-see set.
Flume (8:30 PM – 9:45 PM)
Flume is a forward thinking electronic/EDM producer who blew up in 2016 with the release of his second album, Skin. Collaborating with an array of artists such as Lorde, Tove Lo, Beck, and Arcade Fire, Flume boasts a catalog filled with both incredibly catchy EDM bangers and wildly experimental electronic detours. He is fresh off a new album, Palaces, a project that feels larger than life but hits close to home. For a colorful display of melody and bass, be sure to catch his set on Saturday.
Sunday
Soccer Mommy (2:45 PM – 3:45 PM)
American singer-songwriter Soccer Mommy has garnered acclaim within indie circles for her gritty ballads and straightforward lyricism, all held together by keen pop sensibilities. Her third studio album Sometimes, Forever, produced by experimental electronic producer Oneohtrix Point Never, is out later this month, and its bombastic singles feature impressively layered guitar work that throws the homespun, bedroom honesty of her previous work into the stratosphere. Seeing this new incarnation of Soccer Mommy live should surely be a treat.
J.I.D (3:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
J. Cole’s Dreamville label is home to many talented artists, but of these, J.I.D rises above. With a knack for wordplay interwoven with rapid flows and switch-ups, J.I.D can do so much in so little time that it may make your head spin. Luckily, he is far more than merely technically proficient, as his output is also consistently catchy, clever, and filled with social commentary. This is a rare combination, making J.I.D an artist to watch for those on the lookout for the next classic hip-hop record. His last album, DiCaprio 2, was released in 2018, and with the release of a number of singles in the past year, it feels like a new album is around the corner. J.I.D’s set is a must-see for hip-hop fans, and if we’re lucky, maybe we’ll hear some new material.
100 gecs (4:15 PM – 5:15 PM)
Ever since the release of their debut album 1000 Gecs in 2019, 100 gecs have been a dominant voice in hyperpop. Experimenting with distorted guitars, pitched vocals, and blown out beats, the duo present an abrasive collage of sounds that only works because nothing is taken too seriously. They solidified their position as a hyperpop powerhouse in 2020 with remix album 1000 Gecs and the Tree of Clues, and a follow up full-length, 10000 gecs, is around the corner. Check out their two newest singles “mememe” and “Doritos & Fritos” and be sure to catch their set on Sunday.
Japanese Breakfast (5:45 PM – 6:45 PM)
For most of 2021, Michelle Zauner, frontwoman of alternative pop band Japanese Breakfast, was inescapable. Her first book, Crying in H Mart: A Memoir, debuted at #2 on The New York Times best-seller list, she composed the soundtrack for indie video game Sable, and she was named among the Time 100 most influential people in the world. On top of all of these other ventures, Japanese Breakfast’s music is still fantastic: Jubilee, released last year, is a joyous overcoming of grief soundtracked by lush, intricate production. It’s a testament to their strength as a live band that their music becomes even more vibrant on stage – be sure to see this happen on Sunday evening.
Jazmine Sullivan (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
2021 was a fantastic year for Jazmine Sullivan: Heaux Tales, her first project since 2015, garnered widespread acclaim for its exploration of themes including female sexuality and classism, with publications such as Pitchfork and NPR naming it Album of the Year. Sullivan has embarked on a tour this year in support of the album, and her reputation as a stellar live performer combined with the infrequency of her release schedule make this a can’t-miss set.
J. Cole / Playboi Carti (8:30 / 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Two of the biggest names in hip-hop right now, J. Cole and Playboi Carti, need no introduction. But to give one anyway, Carti’s unique style of minimal trap has propelled his success and left a remarkable amount of influence in its wake, while J. Cole is consistently in the conversation for one of the best rappers and lyricists of our generation. Interestingly, Gov Ball scheduled these artists at conflicting times, so attendees must make a difficult choice for their Gov Ball finale. Rest assured, you can’t go wrong.
This year’s lineup.
edited by Sha Frasier, Editor-in-Chief.
artwork belongs to Founders Entertainment and Governors Ball Music Festival.