All the Highlights From Governors Ball 2025 Made It the Must-See Music Fest
The 15th anniversary of NYC’s beloved music fest was one for the books.
As the temps start rising into a blistering summer heat and our speakers turn up a few decibels, that can only mean one thing: festival season is officially upon us. Whether you hit the grounds to discover new artists, try some next-level bites, or pull up in your best outfits, music festivals are the best place to hang out and build a community. All of the above were accomplished at New York City’s very own Governors Ball, as its return to Flushing Meadows Corona Park marked its 15th anniversary and gave us an extra reason to pull up and celebrate.
The festival felt like a perfectly curated soundtrack to our summer—with headliners like Tyler, the Creator; Olivia Rodrigo; and Hozier offering set after set of jaw-dropping energy. Even with weather delays smack in the middle of the festival, crowds formed for their fave artists, and every genre found its spotlight: T‑Pain brought on some Y2K nostalgia, Clairo serenaded festivalgoers in the soft rain, and indie’s rising star Mk.gee stole the hearts of newfound fans. Whether you were vibing through Benson Boone’s backflips or bouncing with The Beaches, the energy was seriously contagious.
It’s no wonder Gov Ball has been New York’s must-see festival for 15 unstoppable years, and of course, some of Cosmo’s editors were on the grounds to witness it all and gush about the best sets from Gov Ball’s 2025 lineup.
Olivia Rodrigo
“There was a moment I stood surrounded by a collection of the most frustrated, piercing screams I’d ever heard in real life. Don’t get me wrong, there were cathartic moments throughout Olivia Rodrigo’s entire set. She performed all of her modern classics, from the self-effacing ones (“ballad “of a homeschooled girl”) to the gut-wrenchingly and transparently heartbroken ones (“enough for you”), that have granted her hitmaker status. But it was during “all-american bitch,” when Olivia demanded that thousands of Gov Ball festival attendees let out their worst, most authentic screams, that we were all confronted with the true power of her artistry. Olivia allows you to acknowledge, and sometimes indulge, your pettiest thoughts and most insecure behaviors. The ones that the rest of us might be too scared to address, but she’s often brave enough to immortalize in her music. The screams I heard that night were all the sign I needed that she’s an artist with something to say, and one who’s definitely being heard.”
—Annabel Iwegbue, associate editor
The Japanese House
“I saw The Japanese House on her headlining tour last fall in a small venue in New Jersey, and somehow, seeing her on this massive stage at Gov Ball surrounded by triple the people was even better. She felt so connected and in tune with the audience, stopping between most songs to say hi and share some information about the next one for new listeners. But the best moment was her call-out for her support of trans rights and love before singing my favorite from her last album, ‘Boyhood.’”
—Beth Gillette, beauty editor
FEID
“Gov Ball may be temporary, but perreo is forever. It was a sea of green throughout the festival’s secondary stage, which ended the night with a Latin double whammy that came to a head with Feid’s electric setlist. From stylistic visuals reminiscent of early-2000s internet culture (“Gogul” searches and glitter stickers abound) mixed with a set filled with bangers proved how much Latinos stay winning at the festival.”
—Tamara Fuentes, entertainment editor
Tyler, the Creator
“I’ve seen Tyler several times in the past at festivals and during his tours, and he never disappoints. Despite it being excruciatingly hot due to fire lighting up the stage at multiple points during his set, Tyler gave fans his 110 percent—suit, mask, and all. He gets bonus points because his set also had the most stylish fans in the crowd of the entire weekend.”
—Corinne Bickel, social media specialist
Young Miko
“The Puerto Rican rapper lit up the Kiehl’s stage on Friday with her electrifying Gov Ball debut. All weekend, I jokingly referred to Kiehl’s as the “shaking ass” stage because it has historically hosted high-energy sets from stars like Doechii and Tyla—and now, Miko has officially been ushered in as the next artist to carry that legacy. Naturally, I was surrounded by my fellow gente latino as well as other queer folks who couldn’t stop blushing at Miko’s suggestive lyrics and loose hips. ‘MADRE’ was a highlight after she asked the crowd, ‘Is it gay in here New York, or is it just me?’ It was the perfect way to usher in Pride Month as she paraded and vogued across the stage. Her latest fan favorite and song of the summer contender, ‘WASSUP,’ also made an appearance, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.”
—Sam Olson, assistant news editor
Clairo
“Seeing ‘Second Nature’ as the rain poured was a spiritual experience. Clairo is at a handful of festivals this summer (my first time seeing her was at Coachella in April), but there was something about a rainy, chilly June day in NYC—perhaps that’s just the singer-songwriter fully in her element. I wish I could go back and scream ‘Bags’ louder, actually.”
—BG
RAYE
“I fear I’m not even exaggerating when I say that RAYE is the most talented vocalist and achingly beautiful person I’ve ever laid eyes on. She opened her Gov Ball set with ‘Oscar Winning Tears,’ and the moment her voice synchronized with her band for that first high note, I had goosebumps for the remainder of her set. As she added a reverb to mimic the echoing effect of singing in the shower, she became one with the crowd in a way I hadn’t experienced all weekend. Also, let’s give it up for her range, because she skated from her jazz numbers through higher-tempo tracks like ‘Prada’ and ‘Escapism’ with ease.”
—SO
“It was a bold move by the British singer to start things off with her iconic performance of ‘Oscar Winning Tears,’ but the final note of the song definitely sent fans running to her stage to catch what she had up her sleeve. The bubbly singer might have had a four-piece horn section by her side, giving us some of her jazzy side that has made the world fall in love with her music. But it was the final third of her set that transformed the Gov Ball stage into the ultimate nightclub featuring German techno realness that made it one of the most memorable sets of the entire festival. RAYE proved there's nothing she can’t do, and with the voice unlike any other, it was an honor to witness it with a crowd that was all open ears.” —TF
“RAYE is an artist in EVERY sense of the word. She hit the stage and performed the hell out of every single song. I truly had chills throughout the entirety of her set!” —CB
Role Model
“Role Model fully solidified his pop star status with this set, as far as I’m concerned. I watched children, teenagers, and early 20-somethings jumping up and down, belting out practically every word in the same way I saw at an Olivia Rodrigo or Sabrina Carpenter show last year. Unlike them, though, he didn’t have a fancy set or outfit changes. Just a mic, some baggy jeans and a tee, and a giant Hermés Birkin on the screen. But he did pull out a stop by bringing Conan Gray on stage to be his Sally (and they even sealed it with a kiss).”
—BG
Conan Gray
“Aside from the fact that getting to see BFFs Conan and Olivia Rodrigo play on the same day was the sweetest experience, Conan Gray’s set at Gov Ball was like sailing on the ultimate voyage. The crowd was packed as new and old fans gathered to sing along to some of his greatest hits. But one of the major highlights was hearing his cover of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene,’ adding a new kind of layer to the old track when sung by an icon like Conan. The crowd got deep into his set then, and it was smooth sailing from there!” —TF
Mannequin Pussy
“Aside from the live performances more than living up to the studio versions, the moment that stood out to me most during Mannequin Pussy’s 45-minute long set was when the lead singer, Missy, took a moment to let the audience know she is there for them no matter what they’re going through. I have heard variations of these same speeches throughout the years—even throughout the weekend—but her plea for the audience to give all of their hurt to her and allow her to ‘hold’ onto it was the first time I believed an artist truly meant it.” —CB
Benson Boone
“I left Benson Boone’s Gov Ball set energized and disappointed in myself. Disappointed that I’d fallen for the pessimistic anti-Benson propaganda for so long. Energized by his live vocal abilities, undeniable stage presence, and charming self-awareness (at one point, he responded to a fan’s request for him to ‘do a flip’ with a cheeky ‘that’s all I do’). Now, I was not familiar with any of Benson’s deeper cuts, but the live renditions of songs like ‘Drunk in My Mind’ literally turned me into a believer. Out of all the sets I attended, this one definitely had the youngest average audience member age, but if that’s not a green flag, what isn’t? The kids love Benson, and who am I to deny what the youth have so lovingly embraced?” —AI
T-Pain
“If we had one complaint from this weekend, it’s that T-Pain deserved a much later time slot. The millennial icon came to the stage and served a plethora of hits that had the entire crowd shaking ass and screaming from the top of their lungs like it was a frat house basement. The rapper and singer has proven himself to be a hitmaker, but when he got the whole crowd singing ‘Don’t Stop Believin’,’ well, it proved that he’s a true performer in every sense of the word. But the biggest mystery came from this one very hot guy that the camera was constantly panning to in the crowd. He brought the ENERGY needed for a T-Pain performance. If you’re single and free this weekend, let a girl know, kay?!” —TF
The Beaches
“The Beaches kept their Coachella party going during their next festival stop at Gov Ball, and they killed it just the same. This time, ‘Did I Say Too Much,’ off their upcoming ‘really gay’ album, No Hard Feelings, made the setlist for its first-ever live performance. As lead singer Jordan Miller admitted, it had always been a dream of the band’s to play NYC’s signature music fest, I couldn’t help but bask in their glow. There’s just something so delicious about watching dreams be realized in real time, and the feeling radiated throughout their 45-minute set as they fed off each other—and the crowd’s—energy at The Grove.” —SO
Mk.gee
“While it’s easy to assume Mk.gee showing up on stage in a black hoodie with his head down and long blonde locks covering his face meant he would be closed off to those in the audience, he was far from that. This set was the only time during the entire weekend I saw complete strangers embracing and dancing together in a way that would make you think they were close friends or partners. He managed to connect with not just me but clearly so many people in the audience on such a deep level. So much so that I remarked to all of my friends and colleagues that witnessing his set truly felt like a religious experience.” —CB
Amaarae
“I was devastated when I missed Amaarae’s set at Coachella, so I made sure nothing interrupted my chance to catch her at Gov Ball’s Kiehl’s stage. Decked out in a slick black and white windbreaker tracksuit with star detailing, Amaarae performed her fan favorites from ‘Angels in Tibet’ to ‘SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY.’ When I tell you my hips never ceased movement, I fully mean it. The Ghanaian American artist gave a shout-out to the places that bred her, including the Bronx, with a medley of tracks like “Empire State of Mind” and “Party in the U.S.A.” She officially declared 2025 a Black Star summer when she debuted a track from the upcoming album, Slut Me Out, and the crowd fully went wild.” —SO
Wallows
“The rain came and poured all over the first half of Saturday at Gov Ball, causing the whole festival to be pushed back. But when it came back during Wallows’ set, it felt like a baptism into the band’s discography as the crowd did not miss a single beat. Lead vocalist Dylan Minnette joined in on the fun and ran down to the crowd, making for one of the few close-up experiences throughout the festival. If you weren’t a fan before, well, you definitely were one after that!” —TF
Hozier
“By the final day of Gov Ball, I was so exhausted that I gave myself a personal ‘photo pit’ limit for Hozier’s set, meaning I’d stay for the first three songs and leave. I know, bold to admit in writing because my 17-year-old Hozier-loving self would slap me across the face if she read these words. But the longer I stayed during the Irish musician’s headlining set—which he powered through with a cold—the less I wanted to leave. ‘Nina Cried Power’ was a triumphant moment in the set as names of books, songs, and other art forms that highlighted marginalized groups were displayed onscreen. Hozier also took some time to speak about the importance of democracy, fostering community, and having empathy for others as he called for a ceasefire in Gaza and Free Palestine. I’m so glad I stayed for his entire set, because I was reminded of his vocal chops and intricately romantic lyricism on tracks like ‘Cherry Wine.’” —SO
“I got to witness Hozier back during his four-show run at Forest Hills, which proved that he needed more of a presence in the city to appease his fans. It was a true Sunday service when the singer took the stage and closed out the festival. For fans who have already seen him on this tour, the night was still filled with some surprises thanks to a changed-up setlist and a personal B-stage that put him right in the center of the crowd. But what will stay with all of us was his passionate speech right before ‘Nina Cried Power’ that continues to prove why we need a voice like his more than ever.” —TF
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