Gov Ball 2025: We heard Hozier’s yell, “Heat Waves,” and more

For the Northern Hemisphere, summer officially starts on June 20.

Yet, for myself and many fanatic New Yorkers (interns we love to hate and true lifers alike), the first breath of summer feels more like the day one of Queens’ annual Gov Ball.

Spirits are high, the air is thick, and crowds encircle three massive stages. Strangers dance till they forget that cocktails start at $25, waiting impatiently to hear headliners like Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, and Tyler, the Creator wail through hour-long sets under thunder and warm rain.

There’s really someone for everyone at Gov Ball, and it’s all just a quick subway ride away, depending on how many people are willing to smash into the 7.

Contrary to its name, the fourteenth iteration of Governor’s Ball took place in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, right beside the Unisphere — a site at which my European friend asked, “Is this Universal Studios?”

I’m no novice to New York’s music scene, but I’ve only lived here a couple of years, and from that, I’ve gathered that the pop-indie-rock-rap festival can feel more like a good-natured family reunion than a multi-day music party. Were there quite a few twelve-year-olds? Yes. Was I too cool to be there? Definitely not.

Ready to swap some head-banging for smoother swaying was no deal-breaker. We made our way to catch the final acts on Sunday: bedroom pop-girly Clairo, five-piece indie rock band Mt. Joy, Aussie-rockers Glass Animals, and of course, our new headliner that had the entire crowd hollering, Hozier.

Luckily for us, Flushing Meadows has no shortage of options for fueling up. Ticket holders have access to five food courts and freebies, too, if you know where to look. Dunkin’ was handing out throwback merch and ice-cold lattes (caffeinating highly recommended), and some spirit brands had spin-to-win deals, too.

My advice? Skip the longlines and stick to the basics. Festival food is festival food.

Now, let’s get to what matters: the music.

Clairo

No map was needed to find our first stop. Clairo’s voice finds you: soft, ethereal, layered, and breathy. The only heavy side of her set is the lyrics, but you may as well forget them when you’re in front of her. If Indie Goth-Girl is in this summer, she’s a blueprint, floating around in a black mesh dress, mic in one hand and wine in the other. I mean, she is the aesthetic.

She made her Gov Ball debut more gracefully than others, sweeping both sides of the stage with lo-fi gems like “Echo” and “Bags.” The slow burn in “Juna” offered a moment to make some sing-song intros to the band. And, still, nothing matched the dream-state of “Sofia.” Her sets are true easy-listening, albeit more mellow than expected.

Want to see her live? You can find Clairo’s complete 2025 tour calendar here.

Mt . Joy

For more energy, all we had to do was swap stages. One of the joys of a festival is the pace of it all. Most artists are allotted an hour, just enough time to deliver their greatest hits sandwiched between some new sounds. Sometimes though, there’s room for leftovers. “Leave it to a bunch of stoners to map out an hour’s worth of time, and that’s what you get!” to quote Mt. Joy’s lead singer Matt Quinn.

What we got was more music, and nobody was complaining. The folksy rock outfit just released their fourth studio album, “Hope We Have Fun,’ and offered a rare example of artists whose fresh music lands just as well with a crowd craving all the oldies-but-goodies. They sang those, too — belting “Astrovan” and “Julia” before finding some solace in “Silver Lining.”

Cheers erupted as Quinn welcomed Gigi Perez — who has quite a few 2025 shows lined up — for “In the Middle.” This was a crossover meant to happen. The two duet together beautifully, building hazy vocals into a moody ballad that might make you want to text your ex, and blow up both of your lives a bit. Perez is someone to watch; the same vibrato that sent “Sailor Song” viral was just as moving in real life. It’s almost a Tracy Chapman-esque tone, deep, a bit androgynous, and intensely powerful. If she’s not on the next lineup, I’ll protest. Politely, but still.

Mt. Joy’s other items felt like a stripped-back reflection on life with a lens that lends beauty to all of it. “Lucy” rang like an anthem amid a stream of existential questions like “Dust to dust, what becomes of us?” — a track inspired by a friend of the band who is battling an illness. A light, loving escape came with “Bathroom Light,” and those still craving gritty guitar riffs and rebellious Americana got a rousing cover of Wheatus’ Millennial anthem “Teenage Dirtbag.” A little musical poetry is what this band does best.

Never seen the band live? Click here to see Mt. Joy’s schedule to see if they’re headed to your neck of the woods.

Glass Animals

The only thing that made leaving Mt. Joy more bearable was the promise of Glass Animals. Don’t get me wrong. Hozier was the headliner here, but I was just as hyped to hear “Heat Waves” performed live, on a hot day in the middle of June. I mean, nothing was more thematically appropriate for this late spring/early summer extravaganza than these lyrics: “Sometimes, all I think about is you/ Late nights in the middle of June/ Heat waves been fakin’ me out.” It felt made for this stage, and while it did offer a satisfying climax to their jam-packed set, I found myself more impressed with their deeper cuts and Dave Bayley’s dance moves.

A standout moment came as he launched into mid-crowd for “Gooey.” I watched Glass Animals perform the moody single a decade ago, and it still has that nostalgic quality that nips you when you least expect it. It feels a world apart from “Tokyo Drifting” feat. Denzel Curry, which the band offers as an invitation to rave beside jolting lasers and bouncing EDM graphics. It was electric, eclectic, and a little bit sensual (I witnessed a parent cover her kids’ ears.) The best of Bayley and Curry in a bit over three minutes.

There’s still a bit of Glass Animals’ tour left. Snag tix to see the group now.

Hozier

Hours passed, and we were properly primed for the main act. I caught Hozier at the laid-back Forest Hills Stadium last year, and he delivered with a force. But, closing out Gov Ball is higher stakes, and even more so for someone severely under the weather. He unnececarily apologized for his illness shortly after settling in (while still managing to look like a God), then belted like he’d never felt more alive, opening with “Nobody’s Soldier,” before carving out time in his set to deliver stone-cold classics “Someone New,” “Like Real People Do,” and “De Selby (Part 2).”

Of course, if anyone can perform while fighting a virus that feels “like a shark with knees and legs,” it’s the almost 7-foot Irishman who harnesses a voice my friend compares to “Heaven’s gates opening.” Like last time I saw him, his strongest moments were also the softest ones, especially when he wandered to the B-Stage for “Unknown/Nth” and “Cherry Wine”. For people who have speculated that he’s not real, this was the proof. Raw talent requires nothing more than a mic and melting eyes.

Hozier, as a good headliner does, took a minute (several, actually) to speak on issues close to his heart. He called for an end to imperialism, expressed support for a “Palestine that’s free from occupation,” and encouraged unity over division. During “Nina Cried Power,” graphics of unhoused people lit up the screen, juxtaposed with charts showing the surging stock prices of Lockheed Martin. Faces froze; it was an impact you felt as much as you saw.

Just when it seemed that the only thing missing was “Too Sweet” and the long-awaited closer “Take Me To Church,” he gave us those, too. Breathless, but no less powerful, it was a testament to strength and solidarity, but also evidence that Governor’s Ball belongs to the people, regardless of age, background, or taste. It’s a fest anyone can enjoy — where music gives meaning and the stories are loud and clear.

Hozier is on the road. To see him, smash this link now.

Upcoming music festivals near NY

Missed out on Gov Ball and want to catch a fest or three in the Tri-State these next few months?

You’re in luck.

Here are just five of our favorite options for can’t-miss multi-day outdoor get-downs in NY, NJ and CT in summer 2025.

What else is coming up? Take a look at our comprehensive list of 2025 music festivals to find the one that makes the most sense for you.