Governors Ball is less than three months away, and before you know it, thousands of music fans alike will be running alongside each other in Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park toward barricade, food stands and the stunning photo-opps around the festival grounds.
As we creep closer and closer to the iconic music weekend in June, use this are your ultimate guide to the 60+ artists playing at this year’s Gov Ball, ranging from big-time names to smaller acts that deserve all the love from fans attending.
Click each date to view it’s star-studded lineup in depth:
Friday will kick off the annual New York Governors Ball, featuring major names like Lorde, Baby Keem, Katseye and Pierce The Veil. It is also an incredible day for up-and-coming indie acts. Arcy Drive and Flipturn, who toured together in 2025 are both hitting the stage on this day. Other well known acts like King Princess, Mariah The Scientist, Audrey Hobert and The Dare will also play. Interestingly enough, Friday is a great day for artists hailing from Oceania — The Beths, Confidence Man and Old Mervs are a few artists from across the Pacific that will bring their music to New York on the start of the three-day festival.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
LORDE is most well-known for her iconic debut album, Pure Heroin, that defined the aesthetic of 2013, being a “White Teeth Teen,” and the emotions that consume us as we grow up. “Royals,” “Team” and “Ribs” are a few honorable mentions from the album that defined a generation. Uniquely, Lorde has synesthesia, a rare neurological condition that causes the mixing of senses. This can alter one’s experience of their five senses, for example, one might feel and taste colors or shapes. Lorde specifically experiences chromesthesia, the type linking sounds with colors. Coming off of her most recent album Virgin and its sold-out tour, Lorde is bound to put on a show that continues to crown her as the man of the year.
BABY KEEM headlining Governors Ball is a really big deal, considering he hasn’t headlined any festivals since 2023, or released any new music since his album The Melodic Blue, which surfaced in 2021. Baby Keem won the 2022 GRAMMY Award for Best Rap Performance with his hit single “family ties” (feat. Kendrick Lamar). Since then, he has held a relatively low profile, which has blown up Reddit threads across the nation.
KATSEYE is the girl group that K-pop music fans have been waiting for. A collaboration between United States based Gaffen Records, and Korean HYBE Entertainment, the minds behind KATSEYE conducted a worldwide search that ultimately landed Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Yoonchae, and Megan, all positions as rising stars in the industry. As of February 2026, Manon is currently on a temporary hiatus from the group to focus on her health and well-being, and she has received ample support from fans and friends. Their sound is a harmonic blend of electronic sounds, beats and strong layered voices. It’s giving brat, but K-Pop.
PIERCE THE VEIL has defined itself as the face of post-hardcore music. Their current lineup consists of Vic Fuentes, alongside Jaime Preciado, Tony Perry and Loniel Robinson. In 2023, their album The Jaws Of Life, broke them out of a 5-year hiatus. They have since toured with blink-182, and headlined festivals all around the world. Fuentes, in an interview with Alternative Press, said that he loves “seeing how fearless fans are with self-expression,” and that he hopes that culture continues.
MARIAH THE SCIENTIST is not just a stage name, it is also an ode to the beginning of her career path. Before breaking out into the music industry, Mariah The Scientist was studying biology to become an anesthesiologist at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. But here at Crave, we don’t like to look back too far, because Mariah is now headlining the largest music festival in the burrow she was once a student in. Her style stems from her upbringing in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a smooth and sultry mix of R&B.
THE DARE gained popularity for playing alongside Charli xcx during brat summer. Harrison Patrick Smith is the artist and producer behind the one-man act, and many may know him for his hit song, “Girls.” Prior to being a full-time producer, Smith was a substitute teacher at a private school in West Village, New York City.
2HOLLIS is a producer, singer, composer and songwriter from Chicago, who rose to prominence in Los Angeles within the last few years. Just 21 years old, Hollis Frazier Herndon has toured all around the United States and Europe, most recently for his 2025 album Star. His sound fuses electronic, hip-hop and pop sounds, with a little techno inspiration. He did tour in Berlin after all.
ARCY DRIVE is a four-piece indie-rock band from Northport, New York, which is situated on the north fork of Long Island. The north fork is a quieter, beachier, more serene version of The Hamptons… and don’t you dare bring your tourism here unless it’s respectful. Arcy Drive’s self-proclaimed genre began as “attic rock” and has since evolved due to the ceiling on that genre of music. Metaphor intended. Their heartfelt hit single, “Time Shrinks” is what got things moving for them.
“1950” by KING PRINCESS earned its well deserved spot in many romanticists hearts. It’s dreamy, happily ever-after sound went viral when Mikaela Straus was just 19. However, a new King Princess has emerged, and it is a force to be reckoned with. Girl Violence, released in September 2025, redefined the sound of King Princess. It is the music Straus “would’ve obsessed over at 15,” according to Dork Magazine. “RIP KP,” a track off the album, is the perfect, “slutty anthem for lesbians. We need debauchery this summer,” Straus said to Dork.
FLIPTURN is a five-piece indie-rock band who started out playing house shows in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Their debut album, Shadowglow, was released in 2022, featuring groovy song “Sad Disco”. Their sophomore album, Burnout Days was released days after appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Talk about evolution. Dillon Basse (vocals), Tristan Duncan (guitar), Madeline Jarman (bass), Mitch Fountain (guitar, synth) and Devon VonBalson (drums) have been playing together since college. The band is based in Gainesville, Florida.
AUDREY HOBERT released her debut album, Who’s The Clown, in late summer of 2025. Hobert rose to prominence as it became known that she co-wrote many of Gracie Abrams biggest songs. Her pop songs sound like a breath of fresh air… that exuberate nostalgia and taste like bubblegum.
TURNOVER is a band from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Originally formed in 2009, they surfaced within the pop-punk DIY scene. In 2025, they completed a 10-year reunion tour for their sophomore album, Peripheral Vision. Their set at Governors Ball is sure to be a blast from the past. Fans of Beach Fossils and The National will enjoy the hazy sound and vivid lyrics in their songs.
THE BETHS are bringing a taste of Kiwi to New York. Originally from Tāmaki Makaurau, also known as Auckland, New Zealand, The Beths’ most recent album is called Straight Line Was A Lie. Frontwoman Liz Stokes formed The Beths in 2014, with guitarist Jonathan Pearce and bassist Benjamin Sinclair whom she met within the tight-knit music scene in Auckland. Drummer Tristan Deck joined the group just after the release of their debut album. Indie-rock and pop fans will find The Beths to be a perfect blend of heartfelt lyrics and guitar.
CONFIDENCE MAN hails from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Their interactive website gives you a great deal into the vibe of the band, with your cursor being replaced with a cigarette as soon as you enter. Janet Planet and Sugar Bones are the faces behind this electronic pop duo that is sure to have you wanting to dance with everyone around you. Check out their set at Glastonbury in 2024 for a better idea, where shirts were stripped, along with heads.
ABSOLUTELY combines layers of genres that feels futuristic, yet still nostalgic. Originally from South London, Abby Keen grew up surrounded by music, and sees her songs as a work of art more than anything else. “It’s meant to make you think,” Keen said on her First Avenue profile. Keen has co-wrote for Normani, David Guetta, and collaborated with The Chainsmokers and MARINA.
WHATMORE originally formed not far from Flushing Meadows, at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art in Manhattan. The five-piece hip-hop and jazz inspired band consists of best-friends Cisco Swank, Yoshi T., Jackson August, Sebastiano, and Elijah Judah. They incorporate so many different genres, that it almost feels as if they’ve created their own. WHATMORE’s sound is reminiscent of BROCKHAMPTON.
OLD MERVS are bringing some surf rock to Queens. Originally from a tiny town in Western Australia called Kojonup, Old Mervs consists of two best-friends, David House and Henry Carrington-Jones. Before they started making music, they were actually farmers. Their debut, self-titled album came out in March 2025. “What You’ve Lost,” and “Parched,” are two notable tracks that are essential to give a listen before seeing them live.
THE BACKFIRES are a band with members from both sides of the Atlantic. Their music is a sultry blend of 2000s inspired British and American indie rock. Their story begins with frontman Alex Gomez and bassist Matt Walter who met in high school and started playing together. During university, Gomez had the opportunity to study in London and vowed to start a band while he was over there. He met guitarist Harry Ruprecht within one month of being there, and drummer Max Wanduragala joined later on. Their debut EP, Consider The Backfires was influenced by the contagious sound of Catfish and the Bottlemen, and the early works of Arctic Monkeys. Costume Party, their most recent album This Is Not An Exit, was released in 2025.
SCHOOL OF ROCK QUEENS will play a set on Friday, followed by School Of Rock New York on Sunday. School of Rock is a music school for all ages that provides a space for young musicians to grow as artists. Friday’s performance will showcase some of the best talent from their location in Queens.
KIDS ROCK FOR KIDS is a Brooklyn based non-profit that provides a stage for young performers to grow their confidence, create art, and find a sense of belonging in that hobby.
Saturday is a day for the party people out there, with Kali Uchis, Stray Kids, Major Lazer and Blood Orange headlining. Wet Leg will join them with their sensational modern indie, along with Amyl And The Sniffers for the punk-rock crowd. Saturday will also feature stoner rock Villanelle from the UK, who are relatively new to the stage, as well as upcoming Latin artist JimmyBoy from Puerto Rico.
SATUDAY, JUNE 6
STRAY KIDS are a K-pop group, who share a rather adventurous beginning. The eight members came together in 2017 and competed on a South Korean reality TV show titled Stray Kids. The TV show followed Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N. as they worked to succeed in the rapidly growing, now incredibly popular, K-pop industry. According to an article from Vogue, Stray Kids are known for having a more grungy, rock-influenced sound compared to other K-pop groups.
KALI UCHIS has earned her right of passage as our Columbian mother. Uchis began her legacy in 2012, when she released her mixtape Drunken Babble on Daptiff. In 2015, her debut EP Por Vida was originally just a free project she put online, but upon its release, it gained attention and eventually prompted her to move out to Los Angeles. As a music fan first, journalist second, I feel personal to this one. Uchis’ Isolation Tour in 2018 was one of my first concerts ever. I went with my cousin, who introduced me to her. “Ridin’ Round” feels like discovering what sex is for the first time, and loving it.
MAJOR LAZER will headline Governors Ball on Saturday, and fans can get ready to time-travel a decade into the past. It’s almost as if the casting team predicted the flashback to 2016 trend before it even happened. Major Lazer was formed in 2008 by Diplo and Switch, and includes DJs Walshy Fire, Ape Drums and America Foster on vocals. If you were alive in 2016, and old enough to remember the music that played on repeat on the radio, you most definitely know “Lean On.” Major Lazer released an album in 2025, titled GYALGEBRA. They also released “Lean On (Alfa Remix)” on Feb. 22, which can only be foreshadowing the explosive set they are going to play this year at Gov Ball.
BLOOD ORANGE is the musical project of well-known producer Devonte Hynes. Many people will know him for his explosive hit, “Champagne Coast,” off his 2011 debut album Coastal Grooves. Blood Orange, however, is not Hynes’ only project. Prior to Blood Orange, Hynes spent three years making music under the alias Lightspeed Champion. Similar to Lorde, Hynes also has synesthesia. His case allows him to see motion pictures with different tones, pitches and instruments linked to them. Another fun fact about Hynes is that he created the soundtrack for Gia Coppola’s film Palo Alto, starring Emma Roberts and James Franco.
WET LEG is a five-piece indie-rock band from Isle Of Wright, United Kingdom. Wet Leg was apparently born within a conversation that happened between Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chamber on a ferris wheel in 2019. They are joined by Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, and Joshua Mobaraki. Fans of Sonic Youth, Bikini Kill and Dry Cleaning will enjoy the discography of Wet Leg. Their sound and lyrics are witty, raw, personable and fun. Their sophomore album moisturizer was released in 2015, containing the hit song “mangetout.” The Dare also remixed this song, which was released on Feb 11. We would die for a collab on stage.
AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, harmoniously blend pub rock and punk-rock, and they are well known for their memorable stage presence. Front woman Amy Taylor famously doesn’t give a f**k — that attitude has skyrocketed them towards international recognition. They have supported Foo Fighters, Green Day, and gone on international tours themselves. Their most recent album, Cartoon Darkness came out in 2024. Taylor has described the album as being about “the pain of desire.” Taylor’s bold, sexy and raspy voice accompanies hard punk riffs in many of their songs, and their lyrics are often themed around ideas of “existential angst” and the deep desire trying so hard to follow your dream in the midst of living in a time where every wasted moment feels torrential.
RAVYN LENAE is an R&B sensation, born in the South Side of Chicago. Based in Los Angeles. Lenae has famously collaborated with artists like Steve Lacy, Childish Gambino and Rex Orange County. Her lyrics are known to be deeply personal, and she’d love for you to feel “woozy and hypnotized” when you hear her voice. Lenae has spoken about her passion about music’s ability to help a listener gain a better understanding of the artist, yet also themselves. Her single “Skin Tight” [feat. Steve Lacy] is about sharing this kinetic energy with someone in a relationship, even if it’s been years since you’ve been together. “When you listen to the music, I hope you have a better understanding of me and even catch a better understanding of yourself,” she said.
SNOW STRIPPERS are an EDM duo whose music sounds like having your heart broken during the peak of an MDMA rush, as said by The Face. Singer Tatiana Schwaninger and producer Graham Perez are the minds behind Snow Strippers, and together they’ve released over 100 songs. The duo’s history allegedly started via Tinder in Clearwater, Florida, in 2018. They eventually relocated to Detroit, where they began releasing music in 2021. Snow Strippers music videos have this nostalgic, DIY feel, that makes the viewer almost feel as if they are there.
DEL WATER GAP is inspired by “romantic encounters and dimly lit rooms.” S. Holden Jaffe, a songwriter and producer from New England, is the mind behind it all. His breakout song, “Ode To A Conversation Stuck In Your Throat” is what gained him international recognition. Jaffe currently resides in Brooklyn, and has openly spoken on how living in New York has shaped his sound. He just wrapped up a tour around North America supporting his most recent album Chasing The Chimera. From embroidering fabric on stage to jumping in the pit with fans, Del Water Gap surely puts on an unforgettable show, giving us a glimpse into a set not to miss this June.
THEE SACRED SOULS have a truly timeless sound. Their groovy music will absolutely feed the soul of R&B fans. Popular songs like “Will I See You Again,” “Can I Call You Rose?” and “Weak For Your Love” have the vibe of a 1960s record store, and if their sound could be emulated into objects, it would be sweet honey, cigarettes, sunshine and espresso. Josh Lane, Alejandro Garcia, and Salvador Samano formed Thee Sacred Souls in San Diego, and released their debut self-titled album in 2022. Influences to the trio during the record-making process are Jamaican rocksteady music, ‘60s girl-pop groups, and bands such as Delfonics, Alton Ellis and Jesse Boone and the Astros.
SPACEY JANE: Each year, Triple J listeners in Australia vote for their top 10 songs, which get pooled into a competition and played on a countdown. In 2020, “Booster Seat,”a song off their debut album Sunlight that raced to the top of the charts, won the ARIA Song of the Year and gained them a massive homeland fanbase, as well as an international one. Formed in Perth in 2016, Spacey Jane has written the majority of their songs while on the road. However their new album, If That Makes Sense, is a complex, well thought-out masterpiece unlike anything they’ve done before. In collaboration with Mike Crossley, fans of Wolf Alice, Arctic Monkeys and The 1975 will surely enjoy Spacey Jane.
When listening to JANE REMOVER’s discography, it feels as though you have discovered a new, never before-heard genre. Jane released her first EP when she was just 17 years old. A Chicago native, she blends alternative music with hyperpop, and produces it all on her own. Her latest EP, titled “♡” is a collection of unique synths, beats and dazy lyrics. A fun fact about Jane is that she gained inspiration for her album Census Designated came from driving in extremely dangerous blizzard conditions.
WISP has earned herself the title of “Gen Z’s Shoegaze Princess” from Coveteur. Her viral song, “Your Face” was an instant sensation, and gained over one million streams in a week. Natalie Lu is 22 years old and beyond “Your Face,” her debut album was released in August of 2025, titled If Not Winter. Picture slow climbs, and then explosive, dreamy drops with an angel’s voice backing them. If the Smashing Pumpkins, The Marias and My Bloody Valentine had a lovechild, it would sound like Wisp.
MIDNIGHT GENERATION is bringing the groove to Gov Ball. Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Midnight Generation is a “retro-pop-funk-electronic band” that takes inspiration from 70s and 80s funk, and blends it with modern technology. Fernando Mares is the frontman for this group of five. Luis Carlos “Bica” Valderrama (Keyboards and Backing Vocals), Carlos Amaya (Bass and Keyboards), Samuel Marquez (Drums and Backing Vocals) and Diego Bustillos (Percussion) support him on stage. If you’re a fan of Polo&Pan, ZHU, Sticky Fingers, or Chromeo, you are sure to enjoy this set from Midnight Generation, as they have collaborated with all of those groups.
FLOWEROVLOVE, also known as Joyce Cissé is a British-Ivorian singer/songwriter who has caught the hearts of Gen Z for her relatable lyrics, iconic style and overall Flowerovley vibe. She has also modeled for Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Cissé has historically brought up fans onstage with her, and put them in what she calls a “flowerovlove box.” She then let the audience scream at them so they can experience what it’s like to be on stage. While it is uncertain she will do this at Gov Ball considering the high levels of security often implemented at festivals, fans can surely expect a killer fit and a set that sounds like sunshine from Cissé.
RADIO FREE ALICE are a five-piece post-punk band from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Named after a record store in Darlinghurst, Sydney, band mates Maayan Barnatan, Michael Phillips, Jules Paradiso, Lochie Dowd and Noah Learmonth released their first single in 2020. In interviews they’ve stated that they center their musical world around the incredible music scene in Melbourne. In other words, if you want a taste of the Melbourne post-punk scene without having to buy a ticket halfway across the world, you can experience it by checking out Radio Free Alice.
VILLIANELLE is a form of poetry with nineteen lines and five tercets, followed by a quatrain. They are also an upcoming rock trio from the UK. Fans of Oasis may know Villanelle front-man Gene Gallagher, the son of Liam, though Villanelle’s discography is nothing like Oasis. Gallagher is joined by Ben Taylor on guitar and Jack Schiavo on bass. Their latest single, Placebo, is a loud, grungey song about “heightened visualizations of post session anxiety,” as said by Villianelle from DIY. Their go-to hangover cure is the hair of the dog, and maybe some Nandos with a cold beer.
CHANPAN started out busking in the streets of New York City’s Chinatown before they were hired on to play at Gia Kuan’s wedding, a popular publicist. I listened to their single “jungle,” and I think I reached a flow state. It feels like riding down Rainbow Road from MarioKart, a nightmare, and a lucid dream all in one. (That is a great thing by the way.) Chanpan consists of Grace Dumdaw who sings, and identical twins Lance and Matthew Tran, both instrumentalists. Chanpan is an homage to the Chinese pronunciation of the Tran surname, 陳, and Dumdaw’s Kachin name, “Seng Hkam Pan.” Their EP, endlessly, was released in June of 2025.
JADE LEMAC is from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Lemac has utilized social media to her advantage, beginning her career as a content creator and then using her platform to promote her music. Her debut single, “Constellations” has over 400 million streams on Spotify, which landed her a scene in “My Life With The Walter Boys” on Netflix.
JIMMYBOY is an upcoming Puerto Rican artist performing at the Berklee Popular Music Institute (BPMI) Showcase. R&B, Rap and Latinx fans will gravitate towards his rhythmic beats and romantic lyrics. His single “Playa Escondida,” was released in 2025. If you enjoyed Bad Bunny’s Superbowl LX Performance, you will surely enjoy JimmyBoy’s set at Gov Ball.
A$AP Rocky, Jennie, Dominic Fike and Clipse are set for the stage on the final day of Governors Ball on Sunday. Performances from Japanese Breakfast, FCUKERS, Holly Humberstone, Slayyyter and Rachel Chinouriri will also radiate the summer New York air. Lexa Gates, Geese, and Hannah Jadagu are all artists from New York City, making Sunday a big day for local talent and a brilliant close to the iconic weekend.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
ASAP ROCKY went indie, and we’re here for it. Rocky, released his fifth studio album Don’t Be Dumb in January, and it features hits like “PUNK ROCKY” and “HELICOPTER.” The last timeRocky hit the Gov Ball stage was in 2021 where he played nostalgic hits like “L$D,” “Yamborghini High” and “Babuska Boi.” . Based on that performance, fans should expect a set that highlights both his new album, and his very highly acclaimed past discography.
Fans may know JENNIE from BLACKPINK, the widely acclaimed K-pop quartet. Born Jennie Kim in South Korea, BLACKPINK may have paved the way for Kim’s early career, but she poured her heart and soul into her debut solo album Ruby, which was released under her own record label, OddAtelier (OA). OA began collaborating with Columbia Records in 2024, and Kim uses it to release solo musical projects and fashion campaigns. Ruby just celebrated its one-year anniversary on March 7, and it is formulated with inspiration from the music that Kim grew up listening to.
Florida-born and raised DOMINIC FIKE released his debut EP during a year-long prison sentence for failing a drug test during probation. Fike recorded the EP before his sentence, and it was released six months into his time. After 3 Nights went viral, he went on to receive a $4-million dollar record deal with Columbia Records that would inevitably alter the course of his life. Fike has since starred alongside Zendaya and Hunter Schafer in HBO’s Euphoria, and released four more albums on top of the Don’t Forget About Me, Demos.
GEESE are on their home turf this Gov Ball, and it’s not Canada. (So sorry I had to). If you haven’t already heard of their breakout album, Getting Killed, you still have a few months to familiarize yourself. Cameron Winter, Emily Green, Max Bassin, and Dominic DiGesu make up the four-piece band, which started when they were in high-school in Brooklyn. Their debut album, Projector, was released in 2021, followed by 3D Country in 2023. If you’re a newbie to the Geese cult, “Low Era” is the first song I ever heard by them, and I was instantly hooked. “2122” is also famously performed live with an epic key-tar. Geese are big fans of the Mets and the Blue Man Group and funnily enough, Winter is banned from guitar center. Check out the show review on Geese from Crave written by yours truly if you still need some convincing not to miss this one.
CLIPSE have returned as the “kings of coke rap.” Formed originally in 1994, Pusha T and Malice released their first album after a 16-year hiatus in 2025. Titled Let God Sort Em Out, Pharrell Williams collaborated with Clipse for this highly anticipated project. Clipse is rooted in Virginia Beach, and their early discography reflects on their upbringing in the region. Let God Sort Em Out was sparked by the death of Pusha T and Malice’s parents, and it blends elements of gospel, opera making each song a carefully curated masterpiece.
FREDDIE GIBBS and THE ALCHEMIST When Alfredo was released in 2020, it solidified the ongoing partnership between Freddie Gibbs, a well renowned rapper and producer Alchemist. Alfredo 2, the sequel to Alfredo was released in 2025. Alfredo 2 pulls influence from the streets of Tokyo, implementing yakuza themes and samples from Japanese films. https://medium.com/modern-music-analysis/alfredo-2-by-freddie-gibbs-and-the-alchemist-9a856a23cb3c
JAPANESE BREAKFAST is fronted by openly queer songwriter and guitarist Michelle Zauner, and supported by Zauner’s husband Peter Bradley on guitar, Deven Craige on bass and Craig Hendrix on keys. The four-piece band is known for their infectious beats that lay the ground for Zauner’s enchanting vocals in songs like “Be Sweet” and “Kokomo, IN.” Outside of music, Zauner wrote an essay in 2018 for The New Yorker, titled “Crying In H Mart,” about her mother’s passing, and her experience shopping in the Korean supermarket. In 2021, she went on to release a memoir, which is set to be turned into a feature film.
HOT MULLIGAN is a post-emo rock band formed in 2014, who began titling their songs by closing their eyes and typing into auto-correct on their phones. Chris Freeman, Tades Sanville, Ryan Malicsi, Jonah Kramer and Brandon Blakeley got their start in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and soon after Lansing. Their latest single “I Don’t Think It’s the Right Time for Emojis,” was released in February and, quite frankly, came at just the right time for their Gov Ball performance.
In 2019, HOLLY HUMBERSTONE dropped off a self-recorded song to her local radio station in Grantham, England. She has since headlined tours in the US, supported Olivia Rodrigo on the road, and performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Humberstone’s discography is a nostalgic mix between alternative and pop.
FCUKERS When they’re not on stage, FCUKERS can be found in the Lower East Side nightlife scene behind the DJ stand. Shanny Wise and Jackson Walker Lewis formed FCUKERS in 2022, and they have since sold out shows at Baby’s All Right, Drom and The Market Hotel. Their debut album, Ö, is set to release on March 27, so their set will be highly anticipated.
RACHEL CHINOURIRI is an indie-pop sensation from London. Her heartfelt lyrics and overall fun energy that flows from her sound has won her nominations for BRIT Awards and the Ivor Novello Rising Star Award. Chinouriri also supported Sabrina Carpenter on her 2025 tour in the UK and Europe. Her most recent EP, Little House, is almost like a sequel to her 2024 sophomore album What A Devastating Turn Events. The two compilations explore themes of vulnerability within relationships, and learning about how you are when you’re in love.
KHAMARI is a classically trained musician from Boston, who picked up the violin at age four. He is now based in Los Angeles, and blends alternative rock, old soul and R&B into his music. His voice is soothing like Frank Ocean, and when listening to his music, his roots in classical music bleed in, with various instrumentals layering on top of each other. In an interview with New Wave, Khamari talks about the “frankensteining” of different instruments and sounds until they come together.
BETWEEN FRIENDS released “suburban wonderland” in 2017, an alternative-pop smash hit that paved the way for their debut EP we just need some time together. Siblings Brandon and Savannah Hudson formed Between Friends, and together they have 2.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Their most well-known song, “affection,” has lyrics that so vividly paint a picture in the listeners mind, a familiar one too. “We’re laying on the floor / drinking cause we’re bored / I’m looking for affection in all the wrong places.” The Hudson siblings’ most recent album WOW! was released in 2025, and features hits like “JAM!” and “You & Me Time.”
SLAYYYTER started out on SoundCloud, and is now playing at Gov Ball. Growing up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, Slayyyter worshipped Y2K artists like Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, but soon after realized that if she really wanted to hear the music of her dreams, she’d have to make it herself. Her goal as an artist is to promote the idea of embracing femininity and sexuality. “DADDY AF” is featured in the Academy Award winning film Anora, starring Mikey Madison Slayyyter’s recent EP OLD TECHNOLOGY is a collage of dance club anthems.
HEMLOCKE SPRINGS surfaced in 2022 on TikTok, when her hit song “girlfriend” blew up on pop fans’ For You Page. Naomi Udu’s style is upbeat modern pop infused with synths reminiscent of the 1980s. Chappell Roan, Doja Cat and Conan Gray have all recently taken Udu on tour, exposing her to an array of dedicated fanbases. In an intriguing interview with Nylon, Roan asked Udu about the process of making an album, being raised religious, and the boxes that pop artists are often placed into because of factors in their personal life.
LEXA GATES was born in Queens, where she began making music in a DIY studio in her room, using Logic to record her songs. Her music is a bold blend of alternative R&B and hip-hop. Gates’ debut album was released in 2020, titled Order of Events. Her fifth studio album I Am, was released in January. In an interview with F Word Magazine, she stated that music was always going to be a career for her. “I don’t know how to do anything else and I can’t follow instructions so this is all I can do,” she said. The advice she wants women to take from her music is to be bold, and follow your intuitions. “Go for what you want, all the way, no Plan B.”
EVENING ELEPHANTS began hosting intimate backyard DIY shows in Echo Park, Los Angeles. Composed of vocalist Sam Boggs and drummer Brandon Leslie, the duo released their debut album in 2025, Carefree, very. Before uniting their musical powers, Leslie had worked in the industry for 10 years, while Boggs was considering giving up music altogether. Boggs credits Leslie for reigniting his love for music, and since the duo started making music they have amassed 1.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Their story goes to show that “making it” takes time, but with enough passion and a good support circle, it will pay off and maybe one day land you a spot on the Gov Ball lineup.
AFTER formed in 2023, consisting of Justine Dorsey and Graham Epstein. The two share a birthday — August 23, 1995 — and originally met on Hinge before deciding to make music together rather than being a couple. Their music is Y2K-inspired trip-hop that is evocative of Avril Lavigne, but dreamier. Their newest single “Cold,” was released on Jan. 9. After EP 2 was released in 2025, a sequel to After EP that surfaced earlier that year.
HANNAH JADAGU is a bedroom-pop singer based in New York City, who signed with Sub Pop when she was 19. Her debut album Aperture, released in 2023, tackles themes about the sacrifices that transitioning to music full time entails. After moving from New York to California for a summer, her sound in Aperture saw rapid evolution, and paved the way for her sophomore album Describe. Jadagu just wrapped up a tour supporting Del Water Gap.
SCHOOL OF ROCK NEW YORK is the world’s leading performance-based music education program. It was designed for New York to attend after-school, and most locations are a convenient walking distance from many public schools. Non-traditional methods are implemented in their teaching, and students get chances to play alongside other musicians, or are taught to play with bands. Sunday’s performance will allow student musicians to get a taste of festival performing.
