Governors Ball 2021, Day One

Billie Eilish at Governors Ball 2021

More than 50,000 vaccinated music fans enjoyed clear skies and loud live music today on the first day of the newly resuscitated Governors Ball. Billie Eilish, Rufus du Sol, Portugal. The Man, 24kgoldn, Future Islands, Kehlani, Freddie Gibbs & the Alchemist, Orville Peck, Earthgang, Leon Bridges and other music acts offered 10 non-stop hours of live pop, rock, hip hop and EDM across five stages.

This year, Governors Ball celebrated its 10th anniversary in New York City. This summer. the music festival moved to the site of the former Shea Stadium, now a parking lot outside Citi Field. Governors Ball originated on Governors Island in 2011 and headlined Girl Talk, Pretty Lights and Empire of the Sun. The festival was held on Randall's Island from 2012 to 2019. The festival was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Fans were required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours for entry on each day. Three-day general admission tickets sold for $319 plus fees. One-day passes were $129 plus fees.

Billie Eilish fans poised for her entrance on stage

Tyrone Lindqvist of Rufus du Sol at Governors Ball 2021

Attendees enjoyed good sound, the stage lighting was usually bright, and sightlines were clear for the most part. Multiple LED screens at the four main stages offered close-ups of the performers and other graphics to those watching from afar. The audience found many sing-along moments as the artists performed.

Participants had many food options, astroturf for relaxing, medical assistance, and 12-step meetings. Several corporations sponsored free "experiences," including hair styling, temporary tattoos, gifts, selfie backgrounds, and lounges with phone-charging stations. Attendees who bought VIP tickets did not necessarily get a better view, but did have air-conditioned bathrooms rather than the portable toilets used by the general admission ticket holders.

Governors Ball 2022 may return to its traditional first weekend in June, but whether it will return to Randall's Island or Citi Field is still in question. Meanwhile, the three-day hip hop-dominated  Rolling Loud will repeat the magic of Governors Ball 2021 in the Citi Field parking lot in late October.

Rmr

Bartees Strange

Odie

Sasha Alex Sloan

Tate McRae

Sarah Barrios

Leon Bridges

Earthgang

Orville Peck

Orville Peck fans wear fringes

Freddie Gibbs

The Brass Queens

99 Neighbors

Kehlani

Future Islands

Portugal. The Man

24kgoldn

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. All photographs are by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's September and October 2021 calendars.