Gov Ball: Flushing Meadows Park Hosts the Biggest Party of NYC
As summer rolls around and the much-anticipated festival season begins, New Yorkers look to the Governor's Ball for their annual summer extravaganza. After 12 years, Gov Ball continues attracting the top artists as performers and music lovers from all around the world.
The Governors Ball began in 2011 on Governors Island, an isle just off of the island of Manhattan that produced the relatively random name for the festival. In the last twelve years, The Governors Ball has jumped around to a handful of other venues, including the Met’s Stadium parking lot. This year, Gov Ball is relocating to Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, New York. Although some may believe that the Governor’s Ball has jeopardized its authenticity by abandoning performing on Governor's Island, I am very much looking forward to this year's event being held at Flushing Meadows, as there will be much more open space and accessibility via public transportation.
Since Gov Ball is advertised as ‘New York’s Biggest Party’, I am glad they’ve abandoned the overcrowded Citi Feild parking lot for a spacious park largely forgotten by New Yorkers. Not only will relocating provide more space for festival lovers to relish in their Gov Ball experience, but it also allows for more tickets to be sold, more vendors to attend, and greater opportunities for unique stage experiences. Though this transition of locations is undoubtedly a massive improvement, what ultimately attracts concert-goers from all over to New York’s Governor’s Ball is the impressive lineup.
Every year, GovBall is stacked with some of the most popular artists in the scene, but what makes GovBall’s lineup so special is their incorporation of local NYC up-and-coming artists. Headlining The 2023 Governor’s Ball is internationally-acclaimed Lizzo, Odesza, and Kendrick Lamar, but these artists are balanced out with local performers from the School of Rock bands in Queens and Brooklyn. By including young artists from the NYC School of Rock organization, Gov Ball exemplifies the ways in which it is a remarkable event catered to New York residents of all ages. I am thrilled to see the event supporting the next generation of music by allowing young musicians to be on stage at a world-renowned festival.
There are so many incredible artists on my must-watch list for this year’s event, however, I greatly look forward to witnessing Ice Spice and PinkPantheress play their first home-city festival. I expect their pits to be packed with fans, and their performances to be remarkable. Another act to keep an eye on will be Kim Petras, who I expect will provide an outstanding performance, as she is just coming off a recent Grammy win for her collaboration with Sam Smith. I anticipate Petra’s set to be well-thought-out and eye-catching - something I definitely believe I will be seeing viral videos of for weeks after the event.
On top of scheduling some of the best performers, The Governor’s Ball also brings a wide variety of cuisine to their event, including some of the finest New York City restaurants. Locals can look forward to eateries from famous bistros such as Roberta’s Pizza, the Halal Guys, and Lobster Joint, as well as many other New York City classics. In addition to this, for the first time ever, The Governor’s Ball is partnering with the Queens Night Market to provide a diverse selection of cultural cuisines. On top of this, if you’re over 21, the bar at GovBall is filled with specialized alcoholic beverages based on the performers and the festival theme. From breakfast to dessert, The Governor’s Ball is packed with tasty food vendors for your every craving!
The 2023 Governor’s Ball is expected to be unforgettable, especially considering its new, permanent location in an expansive park. I personally recommend including a phone charger and reusable water bottle with your festival essentials, however, make sure to check out the website for the detailed regulations on permissible items. We can’t wait to be there for this year's Governor’s Ball and we hope to catch some of you in the crowd, singing along with us!
