FEB 6 2025
By Aleisha Flores
Real ones know it’s not summer in New York City without Gov Ball.
The Big Apple mainstay is returning for its 15th anniversary and third year to Flushing Meadows Corona Park from June 6 to 8, giving folks something hot to look forward to after this freezing winter. Fans will undoubtedly flock to Queens to catch Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo and Hozier headline the festival, but here are six must-see artists to check out at Gov Ball who are changing the game.
Jean Dawson
Mexican-American experimental pop artist Jean Dawson has been on the come-up since his 2019 debut studio album Bad Sports, which was recorded in his dorm room while attending California State University in Los Angeles. Having collaborated with the likes of SZA and Lil Yachty, and securing an arrangement credit on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter under his belt, Dawson is at the top of his game. Seamlessly blending trap, grunge and country, Dawson expressed raw emotions and subdued but high energy in his performances – once you see his set, you’ll know.
Strawberry Launch
Female-fronted Strawberry Launch is your new favorite band. Made up of lead singer Riiza, guitarist Matrianna Gahol, Abby Flicker on bass, keyboardist Taylor Hurt, and drummer Benjy Berkowitz, the members of this Brooklyn-based pop-rock band all have unique experiences in music and art ranging from musical theater degrees, film school, and retro cover bands. Strawberry Launch self-describes their music as being a blend of their experiences, education, and like “MUNA and The Cranberries,” with catchy guitar lines and dreamy synths. If you find the heat getting to you at Gov Ball, head over to the band’s strawberry patch to chill out.
Raye
Raye’s nostalgic pop-R&B sound has been making waves over the last few years with her honey vocals and relatable lyrics on viral hits like “Escapism” and “Prada.” Her outspokenness has also earned her love and support worldwide. Raye was nominated for three Grammys at at this month’s ceremony, her track “Born Again” with Doja Cat and Lisa of Blackpink has dropped - it’s clear her career is only going to skyrocket from here. When Raye has taken over the world in ten years, you can brag to your kids that you got to see her at Gov Ball before she was the main event.
Orion Sun
Before we were holding space for ‘Defying Gravity,’ Philly-born, LA-based alt-R&B artist Orion Sun was Holding Space for Me on her debut 2020 album. The album touched listeners with its vulnerable lyrics and jazz-soul melodies. Over the years, her music has evolved to blend East and West Coast inspiration while continuing to address the very human experiences of pain and healing. Orion Sun’s dreamy set at last year’s Camp Flog Gnaw Festival drew a huge crowd, so we have no doubt she’ll light up Gov Ball, too.
Monobloc
What happens when you mix The Strokes’ sound with Gen Z meme culture? Monobloc. The indie band made up of lead singer Timothy Waldron, bassist Michael Silverglade, drummer Zack Pockrose and guitarists Ben Scofield and Nina Lüders (who is half-Cameroonian), burst onto New York’s indie rock scene last year with their debut single, “I’m Just Trying to Love You.” Monobloc only has four singles out and have only been performing together for about two years, but you might know Silverglade as the creator of Block by Blockwest, a virtual music festival hosted on Minecraft when SXSW was canceled amid COVID. Between their quirky beginnings and Lüders’ talent on the guitar, you’ll find yourself bumping along to their lush, garage rock sound.
Don’t lose your chance to see these up-and-coming artists! Some packages are already sold out, but one, two and three-day passes to Governors Ball are available now at their website. Tickets range from $159 to $1,499 and are selling fast.
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