On June 10-12, New Yorkers and travelers from near and far gathered at Citi Field in Queens for one of New York City’s biggest happenings of the summer. Governors Ball took place across three days, showcasing performances from artists of all sizes and many different genres. With a focus on popular genres like hip-hop, pop, rock, and electronic, Gov Ball offered something for nearly everyone. The immaculate weather complimented the vibrant atmosphere, making for three amazing days of music, entertainment, and community. The festival proved yet again to be a perfect way to kick off the summer season and celebrate the city.
A couple of us from Respect My Region had the opportunity to check out and cover this year’s event. Continue reading to hear about the 2022 edition of Governors Ball from our perspective and why we’re definitely planning on coming back next year.
With a new location, moving from Governors Island to Citi Field in Queens, Gov Ball was more accessible than ever this year. Although the lush scenery and views were lacking at this new location, the trains ran right next to the stadium and gave it that New York character. The straightforward layout and well-decorated venue made up for it, setting the scene for the electrifying event.
The three mainstages were set up like a horseshoe. The GoPuff and Bacardi stages were on one side and the Gov Ball NYC stage presented by Verizon was situated on the other side. Jack Harlow, JPEGMAFIA, Denzel Curry, Diesel, and 100 Gecs are a handful of the artists that performed on the Bacardi stage. While Flume, Playboi Carti, and Louis The Child are a few artists that took the GoPuff stage.
Gov Ball NYC sponsored by Verizon is the main stage that showcased some of the largest acts of the event. This includes popular artists including J. Cole, Kid Cudi, and Glass Animals. This stage was easily a favorite because of the large open space surrounding it and the view of the above-ground subway going by every few minutes. The fireworks during the closing set are a beautiful touch and a stunning way to end the night. Finding a good location to enjoy the fireworks for one of the nights is a must.
Across from the Verizon stage is where the Bud Light Seltzer Sessions were happening. This small stage presented intimate performances from rising artists such as Julia Wolf, Blu DeTiger, and De’Wayne. This was close to the cabanas where Verizon holders had access to a viewing lounge facing the main stage with plenty of shade.
Unlike some festivals where VIP just comes with a fast pass and VIP bar, Governors Ball went above and beyond. Its mission is to provide a memorable experience for its attendees.
The VIP booth next to the main stage offered an incredibly close view of the stage and a comfortable space to enjoy the festival. There were also VIP exclusive sponsor booths that featured much shorter lines.
Surrounding the stages were various areas, activities, and food vendors to enjoy between sets. Nachos, pizza, tacos, and many other food festival staples were available. They really exceeded the quality of typical event cuisine. Additionally, there were plenty of places to rest up when needed. Grassy patches and shaded areas were widely available throughout the whole festival.
One of our favorite places to hang out and relax was the 21+ cocktail lounge. This year, it featured drinks from Gray Whale Gin, Aperol Spritz, and more. Not only did they have delicious craft cocktails, but they also had interactive art installations to take memorable photos with. While our favorite area to explore was across from the Bacardí stage. This area had multiple vendors offering free goodies as well as multiple refreshment options, including Casa Bacardí and the Electrolit.
Of course, the Weedmaps: Flowers Are Not a Crime area was our favorite vendor to check out. Here you could chat with various Weedmaps employees about anything to do with cannabis and their platform. They also had a wheel that you could spin to win weed-related goodies, such as grinders and rolling papers.
All of the booths were interactive and entertaining. OGX offered free 90s hairdos, Electrolit offered people free electrolyte drinks to rehydrate, Dunkin Donuts offered free coffee shots for those needing a little extra energy, and RedBull offered Sky Seats for attendees looking to enjoy the festival from a bird’s eye perspective. Governors Ball not only picked sponsors that are aligned with their aesthetics, but the onsite booths didn’t feel like a giant advertisement. All their activations blended right into the festival atmosphere.
After experiencing Governors Ball, it becomes abundantly clear why the festival has been so successful and loved by many.
The festival is able to adapt to the times and trends as organizers continue to create an environment that is inclusive and enjoyable. The energy of New York is clearly reflected in the festival environment. The three consecutive days of carefree fun are a much-needed break from all the daily business and stress. Not to mention, a great way to start the summer as well.
