Festival Recap: GovBall Day 1

Words and Photos by Grace Prock

I don’t know about everyone else, but the constant stress and feeling of impending doom from the news all the time has begun to really weigh on me. However, Governors Ball weekend felt like the vacation and break that everyone needed. Despite the typical festival frenzy, it felt like collectively everyone just wanted one thing: to relax and finally let loose. Governors Ball catered to that very want, creating a self-sustaining bubble to help you forget whatever stresses you might have brought into the weekend.

Opening the festival with the chill vibes of indie band Plastic Picnic, it was the perfect way to ease into the festival weekend. Accompanied by stands from sponsors such as OGX, Juneshine, and Supergoop, they had you covered with everything you could need. Forgot your sunscreen? I actually did and all I had to do was stop by Supergoop’s Sunshine Stand and pick some up (Bonus points for the butterfly clip you got for scanning their QR code)! Needed a pick me up while waiting for Jack Harlow? You had options -- you could either stop by Casa Bacardi or Gray Whale Gin. 

While walking around and exploring all the festival had to offer, fans were excited for the newest addition to the lineup, Lil Wayne, after rap group Migos pulled out of the festival. 

Two fans even mentioned that Lil Wayne was the person they were most excited to see, however it quickly became another unexpected change due to airplane issues on Wayne’s end. New York native A$AP Ferg was there to save the day, pumping up the crowd with hits like Plain Jane. You wouldn’t have guessed that it was pulled together at the last minute. 

Despite what some felt was a let down with all of the changing acts earlier in the day, the one name that kept popping up when asked who they had come to see, was none other than Jack Harlow. Even though he performed at the smallest stage at the festival, the crowd was nothing short of jam packed. Performing fan favorites like Dua Lipa and First Class, for many this made waiting in the heat all day long well worth the wait. 

Closing the first day of the festival was none other than Kid Cudi himself, who was yet again another fan favorite. Putting on the best set of the festival hands down, the setlist was composed of songs pulled from Cudi’s extensive catalog. Accompanied with psychedelic visuals, Cudi had no trouble amping up the crowd when asking them if they were ready to rage. Even though he performed everyone's sad boy anthem Mr. Rager, the first night of the festival couldn’t have ended on a better note.