Jean Dawson, The Beaches, Role Model and more: Everything you missed at Gov Ball Day 1

Image by Taylor Regulski for Governors Ball 2025

Renowned for its blend of up-and-coming talent and chart-topping acts, the Gov Ball 2025 lineup lives up to the hype. Spanning genres from indie pop to country rap, the three-stage festival in Queens, New York delivers a diverse musical experience with something for every kind of fan.

Drawing in fans and concertgoers from New York City and beyond, the journey to Gov Ball began on the 7 train where the party was already beginning with fans exchanging friendship bracelets and Twitter handles before the festival had even begun. True to its city roots, the festival grounds were lined with food and drink vendors, offering a wide variety of eats, activities, and entertainment that captured the vibrant spirit of New York.

JEAN DAWSON

Blending eclectic production, airy vocals, and sharp, unflinching lyrics, Jean Dawson’s live performance felt nothing short of transcendent. With every line delivered with emotion, purpose, and intention, Dawson calmly commanded the stage, offering a genre-blurring set that embodied the raw, eclectic essence of live music. His sound, rooted in themes of identity, intimacy, and escapism, came to life in a way that made the show feel like its own world; one that was created, explored, and broken down with the rest of the set. Standout moments included crowd favorites “Power Freaks” and “Houston,” each met with explosive excitement and unmatched energy from fans. 

Image by Ismael Quintanilla III for Governors Ball 2025

MANNEQUIN PUSSY

To attend a Mannequin Pussy show is to experience a Mannequin Pussy show. The band doesn’t just perform, they channel raw movement and emotion, pulling you into something that feels larger than yourself, the stage, or even the festival itself. From the moment they stepped out clad in bold pink leather and backed by matching visuals, the indie punk rock project seized the crowd’s attention and never let it go. 

Though early in the afternoon, the four piece led by Marisa “Missy” Dabice commanded the stage with an intensity that felt anything but early, encouraging fans to scream, rage, and lose themselves completely in the music. 

“I just want you to know, in case you need to hear it, that what you think, what you feel, is fucking important,” she begins, “Do not let the powers that be beat out your empathy of you. Do not let them tell you that your creativity is worth nothing. Do not let them infantilize your anger because when they tell you that you will grow less angry as you grow older, that is complete shit. I have only gotten angrier every single fucking year of my life. Don’t let them take it away from you.”

THE BEACHES

The Beaches, a four piece indie pop group from Toronto, Canada lit up The Grove stage with an electrifying set featuring breakout hits like “Jocelyn,” “Me & Me,” “Blame Brett,” and more. In a music scene still heavily dominated by men, the all-female group brought a refreshing and unapologetic presence to the festival. With fierce confidence and undeniable chemistry, the group delivered every note with power, keeping the crowd moving from the front of the pit to the back of general admission. The set was a celebration of individuality, energy, and fearless fun-proving why they’re one of the most exciting acts on the rise. 

Image by Deanie Chen for Governors Ball 2025

ROLE MODEL

If you haven’t heard of ROLE MODEL yet, his Gov Ball set was a clear reminder: he’s not going anywhere. With inclement weather threatening the grounds overhead, dedicated fans held out at the barricade. After a brief weather delay, the indie pop artist exploded onto the stage with “Writing’s on the Wall,” quickly followed by fan favorite “Look at that Woman.” The undeniable highlight came during his performance of viral hit “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out,” a track known for featuring a surprise guest to come onstage as “Sally.” While fans campaigned with social media posts and homemade “Sally” gear, ROLE MODEL surprised the crowd by bringing out Saturday headliner Conan Gray. The duo kicked off the performance with a kiss, sending the audience into a frenzy and cementing the moment as one of the most talked about of the day, online and off.

Image by Charles Reagan for Governors Ball 2025

TYLER, THE CREATOR

Tyler, the Creator closed out Day 1 with a performance that was truly unforgettable. Slotted between the European and U.S. legs of the Chromakopia tour, the genre-bending artist delivered a high-energy, hit-packed set that spanned his evolving discography from “EARFQUAKE” and “Sticky” to “NEW MAGIC WAND” and more. The atmosphere felt less like a concert and more like a full-blown production, with fans packed in from the barricade to the farthest edges of the crowd. Complete with lasers, fireworks, and pyrotechnics, Tyler transformed the stage into a sensory overload, bringing Day 1 of the festival to a cinematic and explosive close.

Words by April Bredael (@digitalbyapril)