Jack Ryans 2025 Gov Ball Diaries

Dear Readers,

I’m writing this before I’m off to Gov. Ball, which I’m confused as to why they aren’t allowed to hold it at Governor’s Island anymore, but regardless I’m not really looking forward to this festival. I went when I first moved to NYC - I was 22 and five years older than everyone in the crowd. Most of the sounds didn’t work for the sets, and the only person I wanted to see that year was Kid Cudi, but I kept having 17 year olds on molly bump into me so I politiely said f**k this and I stored I’d never return. 

Two years later I ate my words. I decided to go again with my best friends because I had to witness the meteoric rise of Chappell Roan and see one of my favorite artists, SZA. This time it wasn’t awful. I witnessed pop-culture history when Chappell came out as the Statute of Liberty, but my festival experience took a hard left when I passed out during SZA’s set and ended up in the medic tent. 

After these two shaky experiences, I’m heading back to Gov. Ball with a press pass. I’m hoping that just makes my experience better; however, that’s to be determined. I do think this year will be better than years past as I get to see some of my favorite R&B acts, of which there’s shockingly quite a few: Raye, Kyle Dion, Montel Fish, and Orion Sun. I know I sound pessimistic, but in my experience this festival shockingly lacks a certain je ne sais quoi its competitors, like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo, possess. I always wondered how that could be since the vibes in New York City are immaculate.

Regardless, read about my experience below that might not include any disastrous moments. 

Saturday: Bubble Gum Bitch

I received a notice from Gov Ball that doors aren’t opening until 4:30 due to predicted weather. I can only imagine the chaos going on right now trying to reorganize the schedule of performances. At least this gives me an extra hour to eat my potato salad in peace.

Upon entering the festival, I noticed the grounds were pretty much corporatized with every brand activating at the festival. They were also hoards of children running around the grounds waiting for Olivia Rodrigo, with festival goers coming up to me saying how annoying it was. 

Entering the press lounge, I ran into my friend Sam Olson from Cosmopolitan and that was exactly what I needed to kick off my afternoon on a high note. Then I was off to Marina. She was fabulous. A true bubble gum b**ch. Hearing her sing Primadona Girl scratched an itch for my 13 year old self playing Just Dance in my basement.

The artist I hoped would make my day was Mariah The Scientist. However, 30 minutes into her set she was still not on stage. I received a notice from her team saying “due to unforeseen circumstances” she wasn’t going on. That was unfortunate, and I marched my way back to the press lounge to get a hot dog. 

In between sets and meandering through influencers, editors, and celebrities, my morale started to sink until I ran into fellow editor Jake Smith from Glamour. Giving me the energy I needed, I walked off and was ready to see the Wallows. Dylan Minette wore a “What the hell are you looking at” shirt, and I thought we’re all looking at you. Giving indie-rock nostalgia, the 13 Reasons Why star surpassed my expectations. They interacted with the crowd and knew what we needed: energy. The vibes throughout the day were low as rain really put a damper on everyone’s parade. 

After seeing a couple songs, I got the jist of the Wallows and continued working on my style photo series for the pub. I ran into Emma Brooks and her crew and became inspired again to get teeth gems after seeing hers. As I am walking back to the press lounge, I hear reggaeton blasting from the Kiehls stage and had to check it out.  

The music making me move: Puerto Rican artist Young Miko. Fresh off her sold-out show in Barcelona and an impactful performance in Madrid, Young Miko’s created another milestone in her international rise. She got me hooked and is someone you need to listen to. I ran into my friend and fellow editor, Valeriya, who I saw across the crowd dancing to the electrifying music. 

Needing water, she told me to come back and see Feid, another reggaeton artist, “I would not want to miss.” He was in fact, someone I would not miss moving forward. His stage presence was magnetic and reminded me of a young J. Balvin. A chic swag that oozed on stage, his beats were a great way to start the night.

After leaving an unforgettable Olivia Rodrigo set where she brought out Dave Byrne, I headed back to Brooklyn.

Sunday: Red Wine Quenches Clairo’s Throat   Divas, Nostalgia, No Vibes

Nothing picks up my mood like fab weather and yesterday gave us that (for the most part). Upon heading back to the festival for my the day, everyone seemed in higher spirits after weather whiplash the day before.

Arriving on set, I spoke with R&B artist, Kyle Dion, who gave an electrifying set as he heads on tour this summer promoting his album ‘SOULAR.’ Wearing a sickening green outfit, he had a freshness to him that exuded when he spoke to you. His music is sexy and sassy allowing listeners to heal parts of themselves they might oftentimes neglect. After I spoke with Kyle, I got to speak to two humorous dudes who make up the musical duo Joey Valence and Brae. When asking the young hip-hop duo to tell me what punk tactics are, they proceeded to share: pooping with the door open on tour. I was hilariously gagged. I didn’t expect to hear that answer, but if that makes them feel free I’m here for it. 

After I spoke with Joey and Braeden I ran over to Raye’s set to become healed. The British singer-songwriter blends pop, R&B, and electronic into an ethereal experience. Wearing a sexy purple halter dress, she of course came on stage barefoot. Something I love about her because it makes her feel grounded, like she really is grateful to be on this stage performing her heart out. Singing, tearing up, and feeling liberated, in the middle of turning her daytime set into a dance club she goes to take a sip of water and in a British accent says, “What is Liquid Death? I don’t want to die.” That’s a profound question. How did Liquid Death come up with their name when they sell a necessity: water?

After my thoughts took me down a rabbit hole of how twisted it is for us to corporatize a life necessity, such as water, I needed to go a grab a Liquid Death from the press lounge as exhaustion had sunk in. I needed a siesta, but all I could find was a white couch to sit down and post some social content. What felt like 10 minutes was actually one hour, and it was time for Clairo. I’ve never heard the ethereal artist before, but my friends all told me I HAVE to see her. I’m so happy I did. She came on stage sipping a glass of wine with her bandmates in a little black lace dress and mary jane pumps, which were c**nt. I ran into my friend Emma Oleck from The Cut and she introduced me to Kev Ponce from V where we talked about how chic it was that she used red wine to quench her thirst on stage instead of water. It was a vibe. I came to the conclusion post-Clairo that she probably has stacks and stacks of books lying around her home. She’s a good witch and the demons know it too.

Hearing Mt. Joy cover ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ by Wheatus, I ran over to feel a sense of nostalgia TikTok has created within me. As I’m running over I witness the most horrifying thing: a man walking barefoot. Whenever I see someone barefoot I want to dive into their brain and discover their backwards logic as to why that would be a good decision. After blocking that from memory, I witnessed this diva who kept popping up everywhere I looked both Saturday and today. She wore a shiny silver woven cowboy hat, white fringe dress and white cowboy boots. She was in her 40’s or 50’s and living life. I saw her standing in a barstool in the VIP tent, dancing with strangers at Glass Animals and walking away with a stiff Grey Goose Vodka. She’s a vivacious woman, and I gravitate towards middle-aged women as a young gay man.

After Glass Animals made me nostalgic listening to ‘Heat Waves,’ it was time for me to cry at Hozier. The Irish singer-songwriter left my jaw on the floor. A spiritual moment, his raw vocals, giggles on stage saying “you’re all so kind,” and mind-bending visuals made me feel like I’m running up the mountain in a lush green forest in the pouring rain screaming because I’m free. During his set he was the only artist I saw who utilized his platform to discuss the turmoil going on in the world. It was disheartening to hear from him how 70% of the world's countries are no longer operating as democratic countries, but it’s vital that we speak out for peace and for a lasting cease fire in Palestine.