Gov Ball 2025 - Day One
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY - June 6, 2025
Written and Photographed by Tara Demers
Governors Ball 2025 marked its iconic return back to the beautiful Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens June 6-8. The lineup had incredible artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Benson Boone, Marina, Hozier, Young Miko, Conan Gray, The Beaches and more—and we got to experience it all. From the artists to the activation booths to the immersive atmosphere, 2025 was a year to remember. Fans of every artist flocked to the festival grounds throughout the weekend, rushing to the stage as soon as the doors opened at 11:45am to secure barricades for their favorite artists. Some even arrived as early as 7 am, camping out at the park to secure their spot.
WASIA PROJECT
Wasia Project by Anna Downs
Day one was filled with such fun and exciting energy. Fans lined the barricades at every stage, especially at The Grove for Role Model later in the day. The first act to takethe Grove stage was Wasia Project. The alt-pop duo—Olivia Hardy and William Gao—hailing from England, started off their set with their hit, “Is This What Love Is?”, getting the crowd going before launching into other favorites like "Ur So Pretty" and "Letters” They had such incredible voices blending together and had fans continuously singing and jumping around by the end.
TYLA
Tyla by Tara Demers
Later in the day, South African breakout star Tyla took the Kiehl’s Stage by storm. Best known for her hit “Water,” she emerged dramatically from a fog-filled stage and immediately had the crowd in a frenzy. Her effortless choreography, matched with tight vocals and a standout performance, memorized the crowd. Despite a few technical issues, she did not let that stop her. Debuting a new song called “Bliss” and other hits such as “Push 2 Start,” the crowd got to experience a vibrant rising artist, proving her star power.
THE BEACHES
The Beches by Paigge Warton
Over at the Grove Stage, the rockstar Toronto-based girl group, The Beaches, took to stage—and owned it. Celebrating Pride Month with their unapologetic energy, fans screamed along to hits like “Kismet,” “Me & Me,” and “Everything Is Boring.” Before launching into the scathing anthem “Blame Brett,” the band asked the crowd, “Who’s ready to blame their exes?”—and the answer was a roaring yes. Their new album, No Hard Feelings, comes out August 29. Guitarist Leandra Earl teased, “it will be super gay”. They are truly the ultimate it-girl group to watch right now.
Overall, day one was such a great time to start off the festival weekend! With standout performances from emerging stars and crowd-favorite moments, it really set the tone for what was sure to be a memorable weekend.
