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From a surprise David Byrne appearance to an explosive encore, Rodrigo delivered a guts-spilling, house-burning headlining set at the NYC festival.
“We’re in for nasty weather,” prophesied David Byrne 42 years ago on his band Talking Heads‘ biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit. He probably wasn’t making specific predictions about 2025’s Governors Ball festival in New York, but that’s certainly what was in store for attendees Saturday (June 7), as heavy rain and possible thunder and lightning […]
Gray skies and drizzle gave way to sunshine, multicolored flags and celebrations as the nation’s capital held the WorldPride parade Saturday (June 7).
Tens of thousands of people participated in parades and other festivities, in defiance of what activists say is an unprecedented assault on the LGBTQ+ community that challenges the rights for which many have fought over the years.
A rainbow flag the length of three football fields flowed through the streets, carried by 500 members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., to kick off the parade. Behind them, people waved Pride flags and flags representing the transgender, asexual and bisexual communities from atop a bus.
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Singer-songwriter and actor Reneé Rapp laughed and blew kisses from the back of a pickup truck draped with a transgender flag while Laverne Cox, a transgender actress and activist known for her role in Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, waved from an open convertible.
“Pride means us looking out for each other no matter what,” she declared to the crowd as the convertible rolled to a stop. “We know how to be there for each other.”
Many LGBTQ+ travelers have expressed concerns or decided to skip WorldPride due to anxieties about safety, border policies and a hostile political climate that they say hearkens back to another time. But that did not keep international travelers and other participants away, with groups visible from Iran, Namibia, Kenya and Russia.Along the parade route, hundreds gathered outside the National City Christian Church as rainbow flags and balloons lined its steps and columns. A child with rainbow face paint blew bubbles at the base of the steps while Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” blared from loudspeakers.
“D.C. is already one of the biggest cities in the country for celebrating Pride,” said Cheo White, 33, from Annapolis, Maryland, “But we are all collectively more united and turning out more because of what’s happening in the White House.”
Many have said the gathering has taken on a new meaning amid the Trump administration’s aggressive policies against protections for transgender Americans and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
White’s partner, Nick Kerver, 26, who was visiting from Toledo, Ohio, said Pride has “always been a political tool” but has taken on more importance this year amid mounting threats to the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender and nonbinary Americans.
“It feels more important than ever,” Kerver said while wearing a rainbow hat, sunglasses and a T-shirt. “But we also have to get involved in our local communities too.“
David Begler, a 58-year-old gay man from Philadelphia, expressed disappointment that many international travelers felt unsafe visiting D.C. for WorldPride but said he appreciates its presence in the city during this political climate.
“It’s the perfect time to have WorldPride in D.C.,” Begler said. “We need it right now. I want us to send a message to the White House to focus on uplifting each other instead of dividing.“
Stay DeRoux, 36, usually plans a day trip to D.C. Pride from her home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. But this year, she and her wife, Deenie DeRoux, planned a full weekend. “This is a really big year,” Stay DeRoux said. “There’s been a lot of turmoil. So it’s an amazing thing to be among allies, among people who love because we’ve experienced so much hate on a daily basis.”
For the day, the idea of threats and opposition took a backseat to the celebration. Streets were closed, but filled with floats, and impromptu parties broke out with music and food in streets adjoining the parade route. Cynthia Erivo was set to perform on the Capitol Stag following the parade.
Johnny Cervantes Jr., dressed in a black suit and top hat, headed to a grandstand at a church-themed float to marry his partner of 28 years, Freddie Lutz, owner of Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant in Arlington, Virginia.
Events culminate Sunday with a rally and protest march and a giant street party and concert (headlined by Doechii) covering a multi-block stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue.
“This is WorldPride in the best city in the world,” Mayor Muriel Bowser declared as she walked the parade hand-in-hand with her daughter, Miranda.
Mariah the Scientist is not taking the stage at Governors Ball 2025 today (Saturday, June 7), even though her name had remained on the day’s reworked schedule after the New York City festival experienced a four-and-a-half hour delay in opening.
Billboard learned of the cancellation on the ground at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. No announcement was heard at the event, and the change of plans came with no explanation.
Gov Ball organizers posted a brief update in a temporary Instagram Story close to the updated time Mariah was set to perform (5:45-6:15 p.m. ET), but did not give a reason for her set being called off last minute. The social media message simply stated, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mariah the Scientist will no longer be able to perform.”
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The “Burning Blue” singer-songwriter — whose breakthrough hit is her first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100, where the single currently sits at No. 35 — later acknowledged the cancellation on her Instagram account, writing, “So upset I’m not getting to perform at Gov Ball today. I’m so sorry to everybody who showed up through the traffic and rain. I apologize.” She later added a photo showing a rainy view through a window with the caption “I really wanted to perform.”
Billboard has reached out to representatives for both Mariah and Governors Ball for further comment.
The three-day outdoor festival, which launched Friday, opened doors hours later than expected on day two due to forecasts of rain and thunder in the area. While those in line on Saturday were originally meant to be let in at 12 p.m., doors were delayed until 4:30 p.m.
With the weather delay, early sets by Lexa Gates, Yaya Bey, The Backfires and others were removed completely from Saturday’s schedule, while several later performances were pushed back an hour or more. Olivia Rodrigo‘s headlining set on the main stage was moved to 9:25 p.m.; Feid and Wave to Earth, both set to close other stages, had their set times shifted to 8:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
Hozier, Mt. Joy, Clairo, Raye, Royel Otis, The Japanese House and more are on the bill for Governors Ball 2025’s third day on Sunday (June 8).
As rain poured down outside, within downtown Nashville’s Category 10 multi-level bar it was warm and cozy — and ultimately packed to the rafters — on day two of Billboard Country Live. Billed as On the Rise, Friday’s (June 6) lineup featured seven hot newcomers who, based on their infectious sets, all have promising futures.
Day two followed Thursday’s (June 5) Billboard Country Live Presented by Bud Light, which highlighted six acts, including Mitchell Tenpenny, Reyna Roberts, Alexandra Kay, Drew Baldridge, Max McNown and Ashley Cooke.
CMT host Carissa Culiner emceed both evenings, keeping things lively between sets, with assistance from DJ Grant Fisher.
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Annie Bosko performs during Billboard Country Live On the Rise at Category 10 on June 6, 2025 in Nashville, Tenne.
Michael Hickey/Billboard via Getty Images
Annie Bosko
Bosko, whose new Stone Country Records album arrives in October, was the perfect opener to kick off the afternoon with her warm, welcoming presence and denim shorts and vest.
The California native opened with the spirited “California Cowgirl,” explaining “because I think no matter where you’re from, you’ve got a cowgirl inside,” before launching into her inspirational current single, “God Winks.” “I’ve hit low points in my life when I wanted to give up and I got a sign from God to keep going,” Bosko said, as fans held up their lighted cell phones, waving their arms in the air. She closed her short set with “(Country Girls) Who Runs the World,” an empowering twangy successor to Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)” that saw her accompanying herself on harmonica.
Harper Grace performs at Billboard Country Live On the Rise at Category 10 on June 6, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.
Michael Hickey/Billboard via Getty Images
Harper Grace
Sporting a T-shirt that read, “Country music makes you live longer,” the Curb Records artist opened with a sassy, thumping version of “Mr. Mystery” and followed up with the fiddle-laden “Take It Like a Truck,” which would fit right in on a Lainey Wilson album. Grace then went old school with a gorgeous version of the classic heartbreaker “Tennessee Waltz,” first made famous by Patti Page in 1950, before closing out with “IDK,” her current duet with Franklin Jonas, who, dressed in a dapper suit, joined her to the audience’s delight. The two roamed the stage as they sang the searching ballad about trying to find a love that has previously eluded them.
Graham Barham performs at Billboard Country Live On the Rise at Category 10 on June 6, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.
Michael Hickey/Billboard via Getty Images
Graham Barham
Barham, backed with a full band, kicked the energy up with his blend of country, rock and trap beats on songs like the intoxicating “MIA” and the driving “Camo.” The Sony artist showed off his sense of humor as he introduced “Whiskey,” admonishing the audience to “please remember everything you see on screen isn’t necessarily true. With that being said, this is about me getting hammered.” He followed with a faithful version of Brooks & Dunn’s “Red Dirt Road,” before finishing strong with his boisterous hit, “Oil Money,” as accomplices shot fake money into the audience.
Cooper Alan performs at Billboard Country Live On the Rise at Category 10 on June 6, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.
Michael Hickey/Billboard via Getty Images
Cooper Alan
Alan brought the party with him in a ridiculously high-energy, fun set, which started with the loping “To the Bar,” adding he used to play in the location before it became Combs’ Category 10. His cover of choice was a galloping version of Avicii/Aloe Blacc’s “Wake Me Up,” which he admitted he goofed up, but made up for it by inviting the audience to jump along with him in a unifying moment. He then launched into “the stupidest thing we’ve ever done,” his TikTok viral novelty hit, “Cold 45,” which was inspired by Afroman’s “Because I Got High.”
Alan and the audience caught their collective breaths when he turned serious, slowing it down and strapping on a guitar to play the sweet ballad “Take Forever (Hally’s Song),” which he wrote about his wife, whom he married in September 2023. But he finished by raising the roof again with “Plead the Fifth,” a hilarious ditty sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne,” with rapid-fire lyrics, from which he segued, appropriately enough, into John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” and Eminem’s “Without Me.” Alan wasn’t on stage for a long time, but he was definitely there for a good time.
Timmy McKeever performs at Billboard Country Live On the Rise at Category 10 on June 6, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.
Michael Hickey/Billboard via Getty Images
Timmy McKeever
There was cause for celebration for Big Loud artist Timmy McKeever, who had moved to Nashville exactly a year ago and showed why he’d already made great strides in that time. In a striking acoustic set with just him and his guitar, the 18-year-old deliberately slowed down the pace and showed off his sweet voice and fine writing skills with such tunes as the earnest, romantic “I’ve Known Better,” his first song to go viral on TikTok (“for the first two lines,” he joked) and the vulnerable “Bulletproof” (an original, not a cover of the recent Nate Smith hit). He then delivered a tasty cover of Megan Moroney’s “Tennessee Orange” — dubbed “Tennessee Orange (Breakup Version)” — that had not only a gender flip, but a twist, where he’s a Georgia boy in love with a girl who is now wearing Tennessee orange for her new beau, before going into a softer, less aggressive version of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue.”
He finished with three originals that showed off his promise as a budding talent, the yearning, infectious “Cravin’ You,” the upcoming single “Hold You to It,” and “Lightning Speed,” a song about losing yourself to the music industry.
Jake Worthington performs at Billboard Country Live On the Rise at Category 10 on June 6, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Jake Worthington
Armed with just an acoustic guitar, the 2014 The Voice contestant and Big Loud artist conjured up the ghosts of country legends like George Jones and Waylon Jennings with his twangy, authentic traditionalism and big voice.
Even breaking a guitar string early on (which he eventually was able to replace) didn’t slow down Worthington on songs like the irrepressible, upbeat “I’m the One” (the recorded version of which features Marty Stuart) and the aching “Hello S—ty Day,” which would have felt just right performed by Jones.
His 30-minute set was filled with such chestnuts, including the up-tempo, yet downtrodden “It Ain’t the Whiskey” and “Not Like I Used To,” before the Texan played “Ain’t Got You a Hold,” a western swing twirler that would have done George Strait proud. His cover of Merle Haggard’s “Half a Man” fit perfectly in his wheelhouse and was delivered with just the right amount of pathos.
Tayler Holder performs at Billboard Country Live On the Rise at Category 10 on June 6, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.
Michael Hickey/Billboard via Getty Images
Tayler Holder
From the time he stepped on stage, Holder had the audience eating out of his hand. With more than five million Instagram followers, it felt like all the influencer-turned-country- singer’s fans were crammed into Category 10.
Holder prowled the stage as he launched in the hypnotic “Neon,” immediately hand-slapping with the front row with a bad-boy appeal that connected with the audience.
His set showed off his ease tackling various tempos and styles, including “Time in This Truck,” which conjured up a windows-down, wind-in-your-hair feel, as well as the slowed down breakup song “Someone You Knew,” followed by another breakup song he wrote about a four-year relationship that went south, “California Tennessee.” (Happy ending: There’s a new girlfriend in the picture.)
Holder, who moved to Nashville three years ago, and his band did a blazing mini-set of covers that opened and closed with a few bars of “Sweet Home Alabama” and a raucous “Freebird,” with a sweet version of One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” (delivered by Holder’s gruff-voiced guitarist) in between.
Holder than ended his set — and day two of Billboard Country Live — with a new song that has already garnered more than a million stream in a few days, the mid-tempo, propulsive “Ain’t You Leaving,” and “Dyin’ Flame,” which has more than 12 million streams. Holder penned the song with Barham. “We sent it to Morgan [Wallen] and [he] politely sent it right back to me,” Holder said. “I’m glad he did.”
Governors Ball 2025 hit a snag on day two as weather concerns forced organizers to cancel and delay performances.
On Saturday (June 7), the three-day festival — which launched Friday at New York City’s Flushing Meadows Corona Park — announced that headliners and other scheduled sets would be pushed back due to forecasts of rain and thunder in the area.
“Due to predicted weather, doors will be delayed until 4:30pm. Please delay your arrival and plan accordingly. Stay tuned for the updated schedule!” Gov Ball organizers posted Saturday morning on X
The festival was originally set to open at 12 p.m. on Saturday.
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Later in the morning, organizers released an updated schedule confirming the cancellation of early sets by Lexa Gates, Yaya Bey, The Backfires, and others. Several later performances were rescheduled, with most acts pushed back by an hour or more.
Saturday headliner Olivia Rodrigo, initially slated to perform at 8:30 p.m. on the main stage, was moved to 9:25 p.m. Feid and Wave to Earth, both closing out other stages, had their set times shifted to 8:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., respectively. Other artists still expected to perform Saturday evening include Marina, Young Miko, Conan Gray and Car Seat Headrest.
Governors Ball 2025 opened Friday with performances from Tyler, The Creator, Benson Boone, Mk.gee, T-Pain, Tyla, Role Model, The Backseat Lovers, JPEGMAFIA, and others. The fest is scheduled to wrap on Sunday (June 8) with sets by Hozier, Mt. Joy, Clairo, Raye, Royel Otis, The Japanese House, Amaarae, Key Glock, Berlioz and Montell Fish, among others.
As the SXSW festival made its London debut this week, a group of top music industry leaders convened for an intimate dinner hosted by Luminate — the data and insights company that powers the Billboard charts — and Music Business Worldwide. The mix of music company CEOs and entrepreneurs — many of whom had just […]
Miley Cyrus is opening up about her music career after leaving Hannah Montana behind.
In a recent interview on The Ringer podcast, the 32-year-old pop star and actress revealed that following the end of the hit Disney Channel series in 2011, she was banned from performing any songs associated with the teen sitcom.
“After I left Disney, I wasn’t allowed to perform any of the Hannah Montana music,” Cyrus said. “It’s not like I wanted to, I mean performing ‘The Best Of Both Worlds’ between ‘We Can’t Stop’ and ‘Wrecking Ball,’ wouldn’t have really made sense.”
But it wasn’t easy being cut off from music so tied to her early identity. “It was still sad knowing those songs have my voice, my face, and I wasn’t allowed to sing them,” she said.
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That changed in August 2024, when Cyrus was officially inducted as a Disney Legend during a ceremony at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
“After being inducted as a Disney Legend, I was given permission to perform those songs in the future, which is pretty cool,” she told The Ringer.
Hannah Montana debuted in March 2006 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, premiering to a record-breaking 5.4 million viewers, the highest in Disney Channel’s history at the time. Cyrus, then 13 years old, played Miley Stewart, a teenager living a secret double life as a Malibu student by day and global pop star by night.
Under her TV alter ego, Cyrus charted 20 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 as Hannah Montana. “He Could Be the One” became the biggest hit, reaching the top 10 in 2009. The show’s theme song, “The Best of Both Worlds,” also made the chart, reaching No. 92 in 2006.
Cyrus also earned three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 as Hannah Montana: Hannah Montana, Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus, and Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack.
Lil Wayne affirmed living legend status on Friday (June 6) night when he took New York’s Madison Square Garden stage for the first time as a solo headlining act. The show doubled as a victory lap for Wayne, who dropped Tha Carter VI hours earlier, and kicked off his Tha Carter VI Tour in grand […]
Rod Stewart has canceled additional U.S. tour dates as he continues to recover from the flu. On Saturday (June 7), the 80-year-old music icon announced on social media that he is canceling four concerts and rescheduling two others due to ongoing health concerns. “I have to cancel and reschedule my next six concerts in June […]
