Who to see at Governors Ball 2023
This weekend, as the smoke surrounding New York City clears, the Governors Ball Music Festival will make its debut appearance in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens for its twelfth 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
KayCyy (12:45 PM – 1:15 PM)
Riding the high of his recently released EP, the Gesaffelstein executive produced-TW2052, KayCyy will be making one of the first stops on his international tour at Governors Ball. KayCyy has been making waves in many hip-hop spheres, collaborating with the likes of Kanye West, Lancey Foux, 070 Shake, and BabyTron. With a captivating presence, KayCyy can flow seamlessly over anything from fast trap to slow R&B. He is an artist to watch as he continues to refine his style, and catching his set this weekend is an opportunity to see an early chapter in his blossoming artistry.
Saba (1:45 PM – 2:30 PM)
Saba is an independent rapper hailing from the West Side of Chicago. His music pairs anything from jazzy to cloud rap instrumentals with thoughtful lyrics, striking a balance between clever, conscious, and catchy. He released his third album last year, Few Good Things, the long awaited follow up to his much acclaimed CARE FOR ME. Be sure to check out his set to hear that classic Chicago sound in the Big Apple.
070 Shake (4:00 PM – 4:45 PM)
GOOD Music member 070 Shake will be bringing her unique blend of indie, psychedelic and trap to Flushing Meadows this weekend. The artist received a lot of attention for her appearance on Kanye West’s “Ghost Town” in 2018, and has since developed her sound on two full length albums. Her most recent project, You Can’t Kill Me, showcases her mastery of autotuned, vocoded harmony as well as her knack for grand yet intimate songwriting and storytelling. Be sure to catch 070 Shake’s set this weekend for a high energy display of an innovative intersection of pop and hip-hop.
Joey Bada$$ (5:30 PM – 6:15 PM)
Brooklyn native Joey Bada$$ burst onto the hip-hop scene in the early 2010s, garnering attention from his debut project, 1999. The mixtape revealed the teenager as a rap prodigy, showcasing incredibly intricate lyricism and flows. Since then, the rapper’s career has only blossomed, with Kendrick Lamar delaying the release of DAMN. in 2017 so that he wouldn’t compete with Bada$$’s ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, which would become his magnum opus and distill everything great about the accomplished rapper into a seminal project. Last year, Bada$$ dropped the long anticipated follow up, 2000, and is still at the top of his game. Be sure to catch his set at Gov Ball for some of New York City’s finest hip-hop.
Remi Wolf (5:45 PM – 6:45 PM)
Indie pop singer-songwriter Remi Wolf released her fantastic debut album, Juno, in 2021, and she’s crafted a bright, funky sound that still feels thrillingly modern. Her recorded music is already bursting with color and life, and her live performances have been known to be even more vibrant. Her set at Gov Ball is sure to be one of the most joyous sets of the weekend, as well as a showcase for her soaring vocals and powerhouse band.
Ice Spice (6:45 PM – 7:15 PM)
A year ago, Ice Spice was essentially unknown—her breakout hit, “Munch (Feelin’ U),” hadn’t even been released yet—but her music has dominated 2023 more than any other hip-hop artist. From pushing PinkPantheress’s “Boy’s a liar” into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10, to collaborating with pop and hip-hop royalty like Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice’s name has been everywhere. Be sure to catch her set for a chance to see one of the hottest new artists of the year.
HAIM (6:45 PM – 7:45 PM)
HAIM is an indie rock band hailing from Los Angeles. The group consists of three sisters, all of whom are vocalists and multi-instrumentalists. They’ve released three albums over the past decade, the most recent of which, Women in Music Pt. III, saw the trio working with producers Rostam Batmanglij and Ariel Rechtshaid to stellar results. They are also frequent collaborators of Paul Thomas Anderson, with Alana Haim recently starring in his film Licorice Pizza. The group is known to come alive at their live shows, performing with an infectious swagger. Don’t miss their bound to be electric performance this weekend.
Metro Boomin (7:30 PM – 8:15 PM)
Atlanta-based hip-hop producer Metro Boomin’s sound has been one of the most influential of any artist of the past decade. Metro has been instrumental in shaping the sound of artists including Future, Young Thug, Drake, 21 Savage and The Weeknd through his dark, minimalist approach to trap production, which has spread throughout much of modern hip-hop. Metro recently released his second studio album, Heroes & Villains, in December 2022, and was tapped to produce the soundtrack album for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which was released last week. Catch his set on Friday for a chance to see one of hip-hop’s most important producers work his magic.
Lil Uzi Vert (8:45 PM)
Lil Uzi Vert is one of the biggest artists to emerge from the SoundCloud rap scene of the mid-2010s, folding emo and punk influences into their highly melodic, energetic brand of trap music. With frequently head-spinning flows and sticky choruses, each of Uzi’s songs are an effervescent bundle of energy. Their most recent hit, 2022’s “Just Wanna Rock,” is a frantic Jersey club track that has garnered over 500 million streams, and as they gear up to release their third studio album, Pink Tape, be sure to catch their set on Friday for a potential glimpse into the album’s sound.
Saturday
Amber Mark (3:30 PM – 4:15 PM)
R&B artist and songwriter Amber Mark released her long-awaited debut album, Three Dimensions Deep, in 2022, featuring lustrous vocals and spacey yet still hard-hitting production. Be sure to catch her celestial vocals and sci-fi-inspired songs during her set on Saturday.
Snail Mail (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Lindsey Jordan, aka Snail Mail, is a guitarist and singer-songwriter from Maryland. Her music showcases honest and vulnerable songwriting and has garnered her a loyal following. Following the release of her critically acclaimed second and most recent album, Valentine, Jordan had to cancel her US/UK tour due to the discovery of vocal polyps. Luckily, she had a successful recovery, and has since been back on the road, performing at Coachella last April. Be sure to catch her set this weekend for some great indie rock tunes.
Koffee (4:15 PM – 5:00 PM)
Jamaican reggae star Koffee only released her debut album, Gifted, last year, but she’s been making waves in the dancehall scene for a few years now, with singles like “Toast” and “Lockdown” showcasing her versatility and talent for both melody and flow. Catch her set on Saturday for a fun, summery blend of roots reggae and dancehall.
Rina Sawayama (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Singer turned superstar Rina Sawayama carved a name for herself in the late 2010s with a unique blend of experimental hyperpop and blissful pop stylings. Her frequent collaborations with producer Clarence Clarity helped define this sound, but make no mistake, she is the star of the show. If you enjoy the music of the likes of Charli XCX and Caroline Polachek, don’t miss out on a sure to be stellar performance from one of their fiercest contemporaries.
Kenny Beats (6:00 PM – 6:45 PM)
One of hip-hop’s most prolific producers of late, Kenny Beats has earned a name for himself working with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Travis Scott, and Vince Staples. After working tirelessly behind the scenes for so many greats, last year he dropped his debut album, Louie, a groovy project that highlights Kenny Beats’ tasteful ear and masterful restraint. Be sure to catch his set this weekend for great vibes and music.
Lil Baby (8:30 PM)
Atlanta-based rapper Lil Baby has had an immensely successful past few years, with his third studio album, 2022’s It’s Only Me, becoming his third consecutive #1 album on the Billboard 200. Lil Baby’s brand of melodic trap has come to define the sound of his generation through a string of hit singles and high-profile collaborations with artists including Drake, Nicki Minaj, Gunna, and Kanye West. Be sure to catch his hit-filled headlining set on Saturday for a look at one of the defining hip-hop artists of the past five years.
Sunday
black midi (2:45 PM – 3:45 PM)
Experimental rock outfit black midi helped pioneer an electrifying wave of post-punk in the U.K., alongside peers such as Black Country, New Road and Squid. Known for their organized chaos, the band has brought their unique songwriting to a number of distinct genres ranging from jazz-rock to no wave and post hardcore. black midi are heralded as one of the best live bands out there, so don’t miss one of our most anticipated performances of the weekend.
PinkPantheress (3:15 PM – 4:00 PM)
PinkPantheress blew up in 2021 with succinct, sweet tracks such as “Pain” and “Just for me” that frequently sample classic tracks from the early 2000s for a refreshing twist on the Y2K-era sounds of 2-step and breakbeat. Since then, she has only grown in popularity—the Ice Spice-assisted remix of “Boy’s a liar” became a top 10 hit earlier this year. As the sounds of the Y2K era continue to grow more popular within mainstream pop, be sure to catch PinkPantheress’s set on Sunday for a chance to see her as she continues to refine her sound.
Pusha T (5:30 PM – 6:30 PM)
Pusha T has been in the hip-hop scene for over two decades now, first making a name for himself as one half of the duo Clipse, along with his brother No Malice. After a string of hit records produced by The Neptunes in the early 2000s, Clipse disbanded, but Pusha T has since enjoyed a resurgence in popularity through his frequent collaboration with Kanye West. His most recent solo studio albums, 2018’s Daytona and 2022’s It’s Almost Dry, both enjoyed widespread critical acclaim and are packed with incisive bars and gritty yet colorful production. Catch Pusha T’s set on Sunday to see a true veteran of hip-hop at the top of his game.
Lil Nas X (7:30 PM – 8:30 PM)
Lil Nas X is one of the most unlikely stars on this year’s lineup—his viral breakout single, 2019’s country-trap “Old Town Road,” broke the Billboard Hot 100 record for most consecutive weeks spent at #1, and since then Lil Nas has managed to stay surprisingly relevant. His debut studio album, 2021’s Montero, was a massive success off the backs of multiple smash singles such as the title track and “Industry Baby,” and he shows no signs of slowing down. Catch his set on Sunday for a look at one of the most colorful and entertaining stars of this era.
Kendrick Lamar (8:40 PM)
Kendrick Lamar is a truly once-in-a-generation artist, with an unparalleled streak of era-defining albums that have consistently pushed hip-hop into new sonic and conceptual territory since his major label debut, 2012’s good kid, m.A.A.d. city. His latest, 2022’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, is both a lavishly produced hip-hop opus as well as an unflinching look into how generational trauma has impacted Lamar’s struggles in every area of his personal life. The theatrical, visionary tour supporting Mr. Morale has garnered some of the best reviews of any hip-hop tour ever—be sure to watch Lamar close out Gov Ball for a stunning capstone to the weekend.
This year’s lineup.
edited by Sha Frasier, Editor-in-Chief.
artwork belongs to Founders Entertainment and Governors Ball Music Festival.