From Miley Cyrus and Stevie Nicks to Maren Morris, Missy Elliot, and more, a bevy of boldfaced names were set to perform at The Governors Ball Music Festival this year. The annual affair would have put on its 10th edition from June 5-7, with roughly 150,000 attendees expected to arrive in their best festival attire. But while the stages won't be set up in Randall's Island Park, and New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike won't be sporting their signature brimmed hats (a music festival must), we're reminiscing on the outdoor event's most Instagrammable moments to keep us inspired.
Governors Ball Music Festival 2019
The ninth annual Governors Ball Music Festival—produced by Founders Entertainment—took place May 31 to June 2 at Randall’s Island Park. The first two days of the festival ran smoothly, but the event was delayed and ultimately canceled on the third day due to severe weather. Shown here, the festival welcomed attendees with giant block letters.
Photo: J. N. Silva
State Farm’s music-theme pop-up, which traveled to eight music festivals across the country last summer, encouraged fans to take a small action—through dancing, singing, performing, or listening—to support local organizations that give access to music education for underserved students. The pop-up, which was produced by the Marketing Arm, offered stations including a record store, a silent disco, and an infinity room-style recording studio. Every interaction in each station was converted into currency, with State Farm contributing as much as $500,000. Guests could test their drumming speed and agility playing a custom drum set, which was housed in a mini music venue.
Photo: Freedom Film LLC
In 2019, Bud Light brought its traveling music festival staple to Governors Ball for the first time. On the second day, the beer brand celebrated its long-standing partnership with GLAAD and the beginning of Pride month by decking out the dive bar activation in gay and transgender pride flags. Emerging LGBTQ artists performed on the branded stage. Engine Shop produced the activation. The activation also featured a Pride wall with cutout letters that showcased Bud Light’s limited-edition bottles, which were sold onsite. $1 of every Pride case sold went to GLAAD. See more: Governors Ball 2019: 29 Instagrammable Ideas From Festival Organizers and Sponsors
Photo: Courtesy of Bud Light
Governors Ball Music Festival 2018
In 2018, the eighth annual festival attracted roughly 150,000 fans with a lineup that included Jack White, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Post Malone, Manchester Orchestra, Khalid, and the live debut of Silk City with Diplo and Mark Ronson. The fest was also livestreamed across several outlets, including the DirecTV Now app, Twitter, and the AT&T website, as well as an evening broadcast on the AT&T Audience Network. In regard to event design, giant trees built by Founders Entertainment with balloon arrangements supplied by Katie Balloons sprouted up throughout the festival grounds.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre
The DirecTV Now activation, which was created by experiential agency Blue Revolver, featured an oversize boombox along with an 80s-theme urban playground setting with tricycles, a basketball hoop, and funky graffiti. Festivalgoers could play DJ inside the larger-than-life boombox and snap pics for social media. See more: 23 Must-See Brand Experiences From This Year's Governors Ball
Photo: Taylor McIntyre
Governors Ball Music Festival 2017
For the 2017 edition of the festival, fans came out to Randall's Island to see big-name musical performers such as Chance the Rapper, Phoenix, Childish Gambino, and Lordek. Brands like returning favorites Miller Lite and Bacardi and newcomer Subway were also on hand with activations, lounges, and more. The Honda-sponsored stage was transformed into a larger dome stage for the headliners.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre
Fujifilm brand ambassadors were on site taking pictures of attendees with the brand’s Instax Mini 70 camera. See more: 24 Ways Brands Made Some Noise at Governors Ball This Year
Photo: Taylor McIntyre
Governors Ball Music Festival 2016
Although inclement weather impacted two days of 2016's Governors Ball—a surprise downpour hit early in the evening on Saturday, and the threat of severe thunderstorms on Sunday caused organizers to fully cancel the final day of the event—the festival was still considered a success, selling out at 50,000 patrons per day. Shown here, Bacardi hosted its Untameable House Party in a two-story structure located next to the Bacardi House Stage. The open-to-the-public space included specialty cocktails, outdoor seating from Lux Lounge, and a 50-person indoor stage where surprise performances took place. Community Agency produced the activation, and Taylor Creative handled decor. A New York-theme photo booth invited guests to pose next to the Statue of Liberty.
Photo: Courtesy of Bacardi
Art installations on the festival grounds featured the event's hashtag, #YoureDoingGreat, as well as murals of recently deceased musicians such as Prince. See more: 18 Things You Missed at This Year's Governors Ball
Photo: Taylor McIntyre
