A week after Memorial Day kicked off the summer, New York City’s festival season commenced with the first day of its cross-genre big ticket extravaganza, Governors Ball. Now in its ninth year, Gov Ball is well-versed and experienced in what it brings to tri-state area music fans: a user-friendly sampling of contemporary hip-hop, rock, pop, dance, and R&B where just about every Millennial and Gen Z kid can find something to freak out over.
Friday’s docket was especially friendly to rap fans, with Lil Wayne, Brockhampton, and headliner Tyler, the Creator offering an eclectic brew of what’s pushed the genre forward over the past two decades.
Billboard‘s team was on the scene at Randall’s Island throughout the day; here’s our hour-by-hour recap of the Gov Ball’s Day One highlights.
4:16 p.m.: Between the energy of the crowd and the electric guitar solos, Hippo Campus proves they could’ve easily played a sun-down main stage set. Even so, their good vibes make a perfect soundtrack for the late afternoon sun. Fans go crazy when the group’s DeCarlo Jackson busts out a tambourine, also sparking impressive sing-alongs to their 2015 fan favorite “South” and the rousing set closer “Buttercup.” — TAYLOR WEATHERBY
4:43 p.m.: “Don’t lie to me, I have trust issues,” Jessie Reyez jokes as she nears the final chorus of her 2016 debut single “Figures,” “but I’m gonna trust that you can carry this.” The crowd made sure her trust was not broken, singing every word until Reyez belted out the rest while strumming an acoustic guitar herself. “Thank y’all for f—ing with me, man,” she says before bouncing off stage. — T.W.