Governors Ball 2021, Day Two

Megan Thee Stallion at Governors Ball 2021

More than 50,000 vaccinated music fans on Day Two of Governors Ball enjoyed clear skies and loud live music. A$ap Rocky and J. Balvin, co-headlined the Saturday lineup, which also included Phoebe Bridgers, Megan Thee Stallion, Bleachers, Big Thief, King Princess, Muna, Charlotte Lawrence and many marquee names, Governors Ball 2021 offered 10 non-stop hours of live pop, rock, hip hop and EDM across five stages.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul briefly welcomed attendees from one of  the stages on Saturday afternoon. A few other community  leaders spoke on the various days. Speeches were kept to a minimum, however.

A$ap Rocky

J Balvin

Nearly every artist effused about performing to a live audience again. 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.

Bleachers

Phoebe Bridgers

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 started 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.

Big Thief

King Princess

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.

Livia O

Chiiild

Drew Lucas

Breland

Mike

Charlotte Lawrence

Muna

The Brothers Macklovitch

A R I Z O N A

Yeek

Pink Sweat$

Cordae

Vincint

Amine

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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.