2025’s Governors Ball Music Competition is no doubt one of the vital thrilling lineups on the East Coast for 2025. With artists as various as T-Ache and Amaarae to Hozier, Mk.gee, and Clairo, this can be a competition that music lovers of all tastes actually don’t wish to miss!
This yr’s Governors Ball is without doubt one of the most various and thrilling East Coast competition lineups to return out of 2025.
With artists spanning throughout all kinds of genres, akin to longtime legends like T-Ache and Hozier and Gen Z icons like Clairo and Olivia Rodrigo, there’s one thing for each form of music lover. This yr’s iteration is shaping as much as be simply as memorable because the previous lineups, particularly coming off the tail of a very iconic lineup from 2024.
Final yr’s Governors Ball was an amalgamation of artists that have been steadily on the climb to superstardom: Doechii, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, alongside lengthy established musical luminaries like The Killers, SZA, and Put up Malone.
This yr is not any totally different, the lineup casting a large web catching musicians all at totally different factors of their profession and musical discography. From the return of Marina (previously generally known as Marina and The Diamonds) to artists driving the excessive of extremely profitable album releases like Tyler, The Creator, the weekend is no doubt going to be a music occasion that East Coast music lovers can’t miss.
Friday goes to be a outstanding opener to the weekend, a incredible mixture of genres, from hip-hop to different rock acts and bands.
Beginning off the day are some incredible up-and-coming musicians, akin to bLAck pARty, also referred to as Malik Flint. Flint is an LA primarily based R&B artist with soundscapes which can be the proper mixture of relaxed manufacturing with syrupy easy vocals, an ideal artist to kickstart the vitality of the weekend.
In search of a vibe with extra rock and grit? In that case, Model Pussy is a set you’ll be able to’t miss. The Philadelphia rock band’s discography is textured and various, style hopping from tracks which can be extra pop centric to songs that imbue the distinct punk sound they’re identified for. With music that ranges the feelings of furiously charged to a extra heady vibe, this band is ideal for these which can be searching for a cathartic and enchanting set in direction of the afternoon of day one.
Falling someplace between nation and indie pop, Function Mannequin is a set that followers are eagerly awaiting to listen to this weekend. Coming off the heels of his extremely profitable album Kansas Anymore, 2024 Individuals Journal nominee for Sexiest Man Alive can be a can’t-miss set for these in attendance this Friday. Function Mannequin’s stage presence is charming and energetic. Getting to listen to “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” can be an effective way to maintain spirits excessive later into the day on Friday.
If you happen to’re trying to get again into the hip-hop vibe, artists like Tyla and T-Ache are going to be some spotlight performances of the weekend. T-Ache’s legendary discography will transport listeners again to the glory days of the 2000s with tracks like “Purchase U a Drank,” “I’m Sprung,” and numerous others, making for a flagship efficiency for the weekend.
Tyla is a contemporary R&B artist that’s redefining the style together with her music, in some way sounding each nostalgic and present . With a hypnotizing voice and choreography, her set is ideal for these which can be searching for a hybrid of conventional R&B and South African amapiano.
Certainly one of Atwood Journal‘s prime artist discoveries of 2024, Mk.gee (aka Michael Todd Gordon) is ready to ship considered one of Friday’s most dynamic and emotionally stirring units. Driving excessive off the breakout success of Two Star & The Dream Police, the genre-defying artist blurs the traces between different rock, R&B, and experimental pop – typically inside a single track. Tracks like “Breakthespell” and “Alesis” showcase his uncooked, kinetic vitality and layered, atmospheric manufacturing, promising a efficiency that’s each weak and electrifying. Together with his guitar in hand and a voice that cuts straight by way of the noise, Mk.gee is a must-see for these trying to really feel one thing deeply on day one.
Friday’s headliners are closing off the primary day with a shockwave of vitality, beginning off with Benson Boone, one of many artists that shot to fame in 2024 with tracks like “Lovely Issues” and “Gradual It Down.” Identified for his booming vocals and his on-stage flips, in fact, Benson Boone is bound to get a drained crowd again up and shifting. With the upcoming launch of his sophomore album, American Coronary heart, followers can count on to listen to new songs like “Mystical Magical” with the hits that despatched the heartthrob to fame throughout 2024.
Tyler, The Creator is closing off Friday, and if his earlier performances are any indication, longtime listeners and new followers alike ought to make sure that to see this considered one of a sort efficiency. Tyler, The Creator’s comedic, vibrant, livid, virtually theatrical performances are one thing that the artist has develop into extensively identified for. Chromakopia, his eighth studio album, was one of the vital talked about and acclaimed releases to return out of 2024, stuffed to the brim with fantastically crafted manufacturing and lyricism that’s in some way hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply private . Friday can be a waste if anybody have been to overlook Tyler, The Creator’s set.
Saturday is for these which can be searching for a lineup that spans pop and indie-subgenres, making for a welcome and pure swap in tone from the primary day of the competition.
In order for you a relaxed temper to start out off your day, a band like The Backfires are an incredible set to kick off Saturday’s lineup. Harking back to pop-punk and indie rock bands like Quarters of Change and Benches, the band’s certain to maintain spirits excessive from the beginning with their nostalgic vitality that in some way manages to stay up to date.
New Jersey-bred, West Coast primarily based artist Orion Solar is performing afterward throughout Saturday. With a discography that’s wealthy and various, mixing genres like soul, dance, and pop, Orion Solar’s set is one that can have followers fortunately swaying later into the day. Her signature charming vocals that give off a singular heat is one thing day two attendees received’t wish to miss, particularly since Solar will possible be performing tracks off their self-titled album that was launched final yr.
Followers of bubble-gum pop, a subgenre that has made a terrific comeback lately because of artists like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, want to take a look at Marina’s set forward of the headlining acts on Saturday. Singer of lengthy liked tracks like “Bubblegum Bitch” and “Primadonna,” Marina’s ethereal tone alongside the manufacturing that just about forces you to bounce is a must-see set. With the discharge of her 6th studio album, PRINCESS OF POWER (out June 6th), she’s certain to carry out new hits like “CUNTISSIMO” and “CUPID’S GIRL,” a particular alternative to listen to tracks from the brand new album.
Beloved indie pop/rock band Wallows are acting on Saturday as properly. Followers of sentimental and emotional pop that harkens again to bands like Two Door Cinema Membership would assuredly take pleasure in Wallows’ set. Identified for tracks akin to “Keep in mind When,” “Are You Bored But?,” and newer hits like “Calling After Me,” this can be a beautiful efficiency to catch because the day begins to guide as much as the headliners. The band will possible sing tracks from older hit albums like Nothing Occurs and newer information like final yr’s Mannequin and this yr’s EP, Extra. Whereas Clairo is performing the next day, who is aware of, possibly she’ll make a particular look for her function on “Are You Bored But?” . . . don’t miss this efficiency!
Conan Grey, singer of recent classics like “Heather” and “The Lower That All the time Bleeds,” is the ultimate artist to take to the stage earlier than Feid and Olivia Rodrigo. With Grey’s ‘80s impressed synth pop file Discovered Heaven, his set must be nothing wanting energetically charged with the sounds that made up that period. Conan Grey and Olivia Rodrigo have been shut mates for a longtime and have spoken publicly about their friendship and shared profession in music through the years . . . maybe we’ll get an onstage collaboration between the 2 on a monitor, if we’re fortunate. Grey’s subsequent album, Wishbone, can be launched later this summer time, so count on to listen to the main single “This Track” throughout his set!
Closing off the night time is the extensively admired Olivia Rodrigo, actually an artist that’s pulling in tons of competition goers this weekend. With the unbelievable success of her sophomore album GUTS, Rodrigo is bound to present an electrifying efficiency. She has lengthy mirrored the form of stage presence from previous pop-punk icons like Paramore, making for a set that can be stuffed with head banging and reveling within the pleasure of hating in your ex with songs like “vampire” and “traitor.” Rodrigo embraces and absolutely embodies the sweeping vary of feelings that Gen Z resonates with, from the social anxiousness of songs like “ballad of a homeschooled woman” to the quiet envy of tracks like “lacy.” There’s a cause why she’s been in a position to obtain such excessive ranges of acclaim and a loyal fanbase, and there’s little doubt that her set this Saturday will present precisely why that’s.
Sunday is filled with units and artists to shut off the weekend with a bang, or slightly, a gradual and calm buildup to artists like Hozier and Glass Animals.
If you happen to’re nonetheless searching for the hypnotic R&B vibe from Friday and Saturday, then catching Amaarae’s set is a should. One of many main voices in different pop, Amaarae has tracks that can have you ever dancing one second and swinging to the spellbinding manufacturing the subsequent. Her most up-to-date album, Fountain Child, has house-adjacent vibes on tracks like “Angels in Tibet” switching to extra conventional pop feels on a track like “Sociopathic Dance Queen.” Take a look at Amaare’s set for an incredible begin to the ultimate day of this competition.
The Japanese Home can also be acting on Sunday, following within the footsteps of comparable bands from earlier within the weekend, akin to Wallows and The Backfires. With lead singer Amber Mary Bain’s voice that’s inherently romantic, this can be a set that can have you ever comfortably reminiscing on occasions previous. This can be a nice alternative to immerse your self within the introspective dream-pop music that the band is understood for. Hits like “Noticed You in a Dream” and “Sunshine Child” are certain to make it on the setlist. Chances are you’ll even have the ability to relive ‘brat summer time’ momentarily in the event that they select to play their rendition of “Apple” off of Charli XCX’s remix album, on which they’re featured. Take a look at their slot to search out out!
British singer/songwriter Raye can be performing this Sunday as properly. One other artist that has cemented herself as a outstanding expertise, each in her hovering vocals and hybrid of recent and old-timey manufacturing backing her, this can be a likelihood to see one of many UK’s most gifted artists. With the guts of artists like Amy Winehouse and the modernity of as we speak’s tendencies in soundscapes, she’s distinctly distinctive. Raye makes for an intriguing hybrid between jazz and pop and is actually one of many artists that you simply’ll wish to catch in case you’ll make it the final day of the weekend.
The chief of soft-girl pop nowadays, Clairo can be performing forward of Hozier and Glass Animals. With the success of her third studio album, Appeal, Clairo’s stage presence inside this album cycle feels as pure and absolutely realized because the sonics of her final album did. A repeated performer at Gov Ball, Clairo is bound to sing hits like “Luggage” and “Sofia,” in addition to songs off of the brand new file akin to “Juna” and “Second Nature.” Appeal was made to be listened to in the summertime warmth, imbued with the identical vitality as the encircling greenery and lushness that comes with the season. If you happen to’re to see anybody on Sunday, Clairo needs to be on that listing!
Glass Animals, identified for his or her psychedelic pop and different rock sound, are one of many main acts for the weekend. Their lengthy and profitable profession is marked by hits like “Warmth Waves,” “Gooey,” and “Youth.” What stays the identical all through all their eras is an addictingly magnetic sound, one that’s equal components up to date and style bending. One other band from the weekend that is ready to effortlessly seize a sense of nostalgia inside their songs, Glass Animals’ efficiency is one that can stand out from the weekend of already terrific acts and artists.
Closing out 2025’s Governors Ball is Hozier, the enduring pioneer of modern-day folks pop. With too many hits to call (“Take Me to Church,” “Too Candy,” “From Eden,” and so forth.) the Irish artist is understood for his thunderous and climatic vocal performances whereas additionally having the ability to preserve a softer tone on tracks like “Cherry Wine.” Hozier’s stay reveals typically have gorgeous psychedelic visuals, as if his spellbinding voice wasn’t sufficient. They’re identified for his or her emotional depth whereas additionally having the ability to expertly preserve an intimate environment, even whereas performing for 1000’s upon 1000’s of followers. Hozier is bound to ship a deeply shifting, musically wealthy expertise, one which can be a spotlight of the weekend.
These are only a few of the acts that we’re most excited to see at this yr’s Governors Ball! Take a look at our post-coverage as soon as the weekend wraps as much as catch our ideas on a number of the finest performances to return out of this yr’s competition.
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