Billie Eilish, Post Malone and Megan Thee Stallion to perform at Gov Ball as New York festival returns
Major music stars including Billie Eilish, Post Malone and Megan Thee Stallion are hoping to knock it out of the park at the Governors Ball’s big return.
The big-name trio represent just a few of the high-profile acts announced Tuesday as performers for the festival at Citi Field. The 2021 Gov Ball will take place Sept. 24-26 and comes more than a year after the event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 19-year-old Eilish, a seven-time Grammy winner known for hits such as “Bad Guy” and “Everything I Wanted,” will headline the Friday festivities this year, with rapper DaBaby, soul singer Leon Bridges and rock band Portugal. The Man also performing that day.
“Can’t wait for this one,” Bridges tweeted. “See you soon @GovBallNYC.”
Megan Thee Stallion — the “Savage” rapper who won her first three Grammys this year — will perform Saturday, as will fellow hip-hop star A$AP Rocky, reggaeton superstar J Balvin and multitalented musician Phoebe Bridgers.
On Sunday, the Syracuse-born Post Malone, a nine-time Grammy nominee best known for hits such as “Better Now” and “Sunflower,” will take the stage. Also performing that day will be fellow hip-hop star 21 Savage, British pop star Ellie Goulding and “Call Me Maybe” singer Carly Rae Jepsen.
Overall, more than 60 artists will perform during the three-day event in Queens, which marks the 10th anniversary of the fan-favorite Gov Ball.
Last year, Goulding, Missy Elliott, Stevie Nicks and Miley Cyrus were among the artists who were scheduled to perform before the 2020 festival was canceled.
“I’ve missed festivals so much,” Goulding tweeted following Tuesday’s announcement. “So excited to be playing @GovBallNYC later this year and to get back on the stage.”
Previous iterations of the Gov Ball festival were typically held at Randalls Island, but the event is moving this year to the Citi Field complex, home of the New York Mets, for the first time.
Organizers say the event will follow state and local guidelines in order to put on the festival, and that they’re collaborating with New York City.
“Building a recovery for all of us means reconnecting with the iconic events that make New York City the greatest travel destination in the world,” Mayor de Blasio said in a statement.
“As more New Yorkers become vaccinated by the day, we’re proud to support arts and culture and welcome back Governors Ball and their fantastic lineup, including New York City’s own Princess Nokia, A$AP Rocky, and King Princess, among others.”
A presale for Citi card members launched Tuesday, while the rest of the Gov Ball tickets go on sale to the general public Thursday at noon EDT. Single-day, three-day and VIP passes are available for purchase.
The original Gov Ball festival took place in 2011 on Governors Island, before the event moved to Randalls Island the following year.
Prominent guests to perform at past festivals include Eminem, Chance the Rapper, Florence + The Machine, Kanye West, Halsey, Drake and Outkast.
The Gov ball is the latest major New York event to return this year after being disrupted in 2020 by the pandemic. The Tribeca Film Festival will take place June 9-20 with in-person events throughout the five boroughs.
