Get ready to party, New York City. The 2023 Governors Ball is right around the corner, with festivities kicking off Friday (June 9) and lasting throughout the weekend.
And, with three big stages in Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park and three consecutive days to catch your favorite artists performing, this year’s lineup is packing some serious summer heat. Just take a look at the headliners: Lizzo will lead the charge on Day 1, Odesza is up next on Saturday (June 10) and Kendrick Lamar will take on the closing ceremony duties on Sunday (June 11). And, underlining those names on the marquee are other killer acts, including Lil Uzi Vert, Haim, Diplo, Lil Baby, aespa, Rina Sawayama, Lil Nas X and Giveon.
But while those big names are all no-brainers to catch, there are also dozens of artists who are worth seeing but might not be on your radar yet — even though they definitely should be. Grammy winners, flaming hot rising stars — hello, Ice Spice? — and indie acts who are sure to become your next obsession are all coming to Queens this weekend, and you’re definitely not gonna want to miss ’em.
So to help you get a better idea of who should definitely be on your Gov Ball itinerary, Billboard has rounded up some of this year’s most promising artists for your consideration. And whether you’ve never heard of them or know every one of their lyrics by heart, rest assured: They’re going to rock your world this weekend.
Keep reading to see Billboard‘s top 10 must-see artists at this year’s Gov Ball.
Date: Friday, June 9
Time: 4-4:45 p.m.
Stage: Bacardi Stage
This effortlessly cool rapper, born Dani Balbuena, will take the Bacardi Stage just a few days after the one-year anniversary of her sophomore album, You Can’t Kill Me. Essential songs are 2020’s “Guilty Conscience” and a feature on one of TikTok’s favorite songs of 2023, “Escapism.” She also just hopped on a collaboration with Christine and the Queens, a vibey duet called “True Love.”
Check her out here.
Date: Friday, June 9
Time: 6:45-7:15 p.m.
Stage: GoPuff Stage
Seeing Ice Spice at Gov Ball would be seeing her at an incredibly exciting time in her career. In a matter of months, the Bronx native has scored a career triumph with her Billboard Hot 100 hit “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” — her collaboration with fellow Gov Ball performer PinkPantheress — and has scooped up collaborations with two of the world’s biggest artists: Taylor Swift (“Karma” remix) and Nicki Minaj (“Princess Diana” remix).
In addition to those three songs, make sure you know “Munch” and “In Ha Mood” before heading to her set. Check Ice out here.
Date: Friday, June 9
Time: 7:30-8:15 p.m.
Stage: GoPuff Stage
It’s a wonder Metro Boomin isn’t headlining the festival — or at least listed higher up on the program. The 29-year-old producer has collaborated with some of the biggest names in rap and R&B, including 21 Savage, Drake, Young Thug, Chris Brown, Travis Scott and Offset. He’s also scored a total of four Hot 100 top 10 hits so far in his career: “Mr. Right Now,” “Runnin,” “Superhero” and “Creepin’.”
Check out Metro Boomin here.
Date: Friday, June 9
Time: 7:45-8:45 p.m.
Stage: Bacardi Stage
Not only did Petras just make history with her February Grammy win for “Unholy,” her collaboration with Sam Smith, but she also just announced her next album, Feed the Beast, a couple weeks ago. The new LP comes at the end of June, so who knows … maybe Gov Ball concertgoers will get a little taste of what’s to come.
Petras — who Billboard named this year’s Women In Music Chartbreaker — also teamed up with Paris Hilton for a reimagining of the socialite’s cult favorite “Stars Are Blind.” More essential songs: “Alone” with Nicki Minaj and all of 2022’s Slut Pop. Check Kim out here.
Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 12:30-1 p.m.
Stage: Bacardi Stage
An indie band from Florida with a knack for transcendent live shows, Flipturn wins over new fans with each performance. Try not to fall in love with the group’s 2018 breakthrough single “August,” fan-favorite “Chicago” or “Sad Disco,” a standout from August album Shadowglow.
Check out Flipturn here.
Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 2-2:45 p.m.
Stage: GovBallNYC Stage
It girl and star of Prime Video’s Daisy Jones & The Six, Suki Waterhouse is having her moment in 2023. That means there’s only so much time left for you to get on her bandwagon before it becomes mainstream.
Waterhouse’s 2022 single “Good Looking” has already bit off its own chunk of TikTok fame, and her latest single, “To Love,” could easily be positioned for the same. Check her out here.
Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 7-8 p.m.
Stage: GoPuff Stage
Oliver Tree has a sound that’s just as distinct as his choppy bowl-cut bangs. This year, the 29-year-old singer-producer has dropped danceable collaborations with David Guetta (“Here We Go Again”) and KSI (“Voices”) that you definitely won’t regret getting the chance to potentially hear live. Other essential Tree tracks: “Life Goes On” and “Miss You.”
Check Oliver out here.
Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Stage: Bacardi Stage
Even if you haven’t heard of Lauv, you’ve definitely heard his career-defining hit “I Like Me Better,” which charted at No. 27 on the Hot 100 in 2018 and has been streamed into the billions of times. The Cali native has worked with BTS and Troye Sivan, and is currently fresh off the August release of his new album, All 4 Nothing. Essential songs: “All 4 Nothing,” “I’m So Tired…” and “Paris in the Rain.”
Check out Lauv here.
Date: Sunday, June 11
Time: 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Stage: Bacardi Stage
Maude Latour is a pop music prodigy (think Lorde on faint traces of psychedelics) who’s long overdue for a mainstream breakthrough. Allow her to win you over with her performance this weekend, which coincides with the release of her new EP, Twin Flame. Essential songs include “One More Weekend,” “Clean,” “Lola” and new single “I Am Not the Sun.”
Check Maude out here.
Date: Sunday, June 11
Time: 3:15-4 p.m.
Stage: GovBallNYC Stage
PinkPantheress is an artist you need to know if you’re at all concerned with Gen Z culture or the future of pop. As mentioned above, you may know this 22-year-old singer-producer from her Ice Spice team-up “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” but she’s also beloved for tracks such as “Pain,” “Break It Off” and “Attracted to You.”
Check her out here.
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