New York is home to an abundance of A-listers and socialites, the Met Gala, a rich sports history, and a strong hand in the music industry. In terms of music hotspots, the Big Apple reigns as the East Coast capital for major record labels, festivals, and stunning venues.
The summer brings live performances to an already thriving music scene…my personal favorite is The Governor’s Ball. Also known as Gov Ball, it takes place in Corona Park in Flushing, Queens and is a must-attend for music lovers everywhere.
From Sea.Hear.Now to Coachella, I love a good festival. I constantly rave about the benefits of spending your money on a festival over a concert. In Girl Math terms, it’s the most fiscally responsible choice: you get to see 100 concerts for the price of one.
Each year at Gov Ball, the biggest artists in the world spanning multiple genres gather for memorable performances. From June 7-9, 2024, tens of thousands of fans will flock to Corona Park to hear the likes of Post Malone, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, Peso Pluma, and more.
What makes Gov Ball unique is their commitment to the fan experience. It’s not just a haphazardly thrown festival with lackluster stage production, lack of water and bathrooms, and barely edible food. No, Gov Ball has been a renowned local gem for over a decade.
For years, my friends have told tall tales of their past lives at Gov Ball…it’s something everyone who’s anyone in the Tri-State Area has attended at least once in their lives. It’s our East Coast Coachella.
This year, I’m super excited to be attending Gov Ball and giving you all the inside information you need. It’s one of the hottest festivals this summer, you won’t want to miss out.
We’re officially one month away, so here’s what you need to know so far.
Gov Ball 2024 Lineup
Gov Ball lineup Gov Ball 2024
Ultimately, what gets everyone excited about a festival is the lineup. GovBall rarely misses with their performers, and this year has a great mix of different genres and names in the industry.
GovBall 2024’s headliners feature: Post Malone and Rauw Alexander, The Killers and 21 Savage, and SZA and Peso Pluma. Other performances include Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Renee Rapp, Dominic Fike, Labrinth, Sexxy Redd, and more.
With such a diverse lineup, there’s a chance to see artists you know and love…and perhaps be introduced to your next favorite singer. Live performances show you an artist’s true colors - especially in a lineup like GovBall.
Gov Ball Food and Drinks
Gov Ball food and bev list 2024 Gov Ball
What may be equally as important as the music is the food. I’ve been to countless festivals where I’d almost rather starve than eat their cuisine. Yes, the $18 pulled pork sandwich may look good on the outside, but on the inside it’s somehow flavorless.
Luckily, GovBall highlights local favorites and a variety of cuisines that people actually rave about. Their food vendors include top-rated NYC essential establishments such as Magnolia Bakery, Van Leeuwan, Mao’s Bao, and Gotham Burger.
This is the one time in my life I’m looking forward to trying the food at a festival…and that’s because GovBall takes the time to highlight New York City’s diverse culture. They’re well aware that not everyone gets a chance to see the city that never sleeps…so they bring it to you.
Plus, with featured beverages like Aperol Spritz, Dunkin Donuts, Espolon Tequila, Jack Daniel’s, and more, you’re guaranteed a good time.
Getting Tickets To Gov Ball
Here’s where Gov Ball impresses me the most: the options for attending the festival are endless. Sure, there’s your classic 3-day pass or you can choose to attend an individual day if there’s a specific artist you want to see. But what stands out are the other opportunities to upgrade your experience.
The GA+ option allows access to private, air-conditioned bathrooms in the GA+ Lounge. You’ll also have a private bar, which genuinely saves a ton of time. There’s nothing worse than waiting in a line when your favorite artist is about to perform.
If you want an elite experience, the VIP pass is for you. With luxury lounges throughout the festival, a sectioned area for a more private concert experience at the front of the stage, access to the express lane at merch stands, and all the amenities of GA+.
Although pricey, VIP tickets eliminate all the festival hiccups attendees can face. Bathroom and merch lines can be taxing everywhere, and in the summer heat you don’t want to spend a lot of time waiting around.
But that’s not all! If you’re dying to see an artist and want the insider experience…there’s a one-day Ultimate pass, which offers up backstage access to Artist Village, $100 credit to use towards merch, golf cart transportation between stages, and access to a shared all-inclusive Guest Cabana.
Popdust’s Gov Ball Must-Sees
Let’s be frank, we’re all at the festival for one thing and that’s the music. I’m super excited to catch a few of my tried and true artists like The Killers, Post Malone, and Renee Rapp…however, this will be my first time seeing a bunch of my favorite artists live.
Here’s who you absolutely must see when you go to GovBall 2024:
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter has not stopped performing. From her own emails i can’t send tour to opening for Taylor Swift on The Era’s Tour to Coachella to GovBall. It won’t be long before she’s on the main stage for these festivals, so catch her while you can.
Chappell Roan
Chappell RoanRyan Clemens
Another force in the music industry is bubblegum pop princess, Chappell Roan. Roan went viral for her iconic Coachella performance - you won’t want to miss her fervent fanbase and electric live shows.
Goth Babe
Goth BabeInsomniac
Goth Babe’s music is made for the summer. If you want a relaxing, transcendental experience then see Goth Babe.
Post Malone
Post MaloneMeg Young
A superstar artists in the industry (and he’s making a run at the country scene), Post Malone is a mega-talented performer. I caught him a few years back at Firefly Music Festival and can’t wait to see him again.
Renee Rapp
Renee Rapp
Renee Rapp seamlessly floats between actor and singer without missing a beat. After seeing her live a few months ago, I instantly became a fan of her music. She’s an enigma who keeps growing.
WATCH: Backstage with Judah & the Lion
The duo's new album 'The Process' is out May 10
Breakups and divorce can lead to great music. Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks and Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill come to mind. Ending a relationship is complicated, and, no, the path is not always the same.
The new Judah & the Lion album The Process (out May 10) is less about bitterness and heartbreak and more about processing loss and moving forward. Using the Five Stages of Grief as a guide, frontman Judah Akers and mandolin player Brian Macdonald invoke all the emotions that come with that experience.
Jordan Edwards talked to Akers and Macdonald before a recent show in Los Angeles. Watch the full interview below. It's more upbeat than you think.
Backstage with Judah & the Lion in Los Angeles | Popdust PresentsWe caught up with Judah & the Lion in Los Angeles before the release of their latest album The Process. Watch Jordan Edwards ...
For more from Judah & the Lion, follow them on Instagram and TikTok.
On Vanderpump Rules, it often feels like there are at least three major scandals vying for attention in each episode. The Bravo series always delivers the drama and we’re here for it.
While the scandals on the hit Bravo series may be stressful for the Sur staff, we must admit it makes for pretty great reality TV. From Nasty catfights to the notorious “Scandoval,” let’s take a look back at some of the most shocking bombshell moments throughout VPR.
Jax tells Stassi he got a woman pregnant in Vegas
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Wrong! At least not for Jax Taylor. The SUR bartender ended up breaking Stassi Schroeder’s heart after he confessed to his then-girlfriend that he had relations with another woman while on his trip.
Not only did he cheat on Stassi during his Vegas trip, but he ended up getting the woman pregnant. This moment led to Stassi and Jax’s official breakup and changed the show’s dynamic forever.
But Jax, who was still madly in love with Stassi long after their split, did everything he could to win her back.
Which leads to our next VPR scandal…
Jax gets tattoos of Stassi
Jax was so eager to win Stassi back, that he got a tattoo with her name. Eek! While Stassi admitted during the Season 3 Reunion that she was happy to see her ex groveling and pining for her, she knew in her heart that she’d never get back with him.
The Season 3 Reunion continued to shock audiences when Jax revealed yet another tattoo dedicated to his ex-beau. On his upper arm- and it’s still there! - is a tat of Stassi’s face. Well, at least part of her face. According to Jax, the tattoo melds Stassi’s face and Carmen - his girlfriend at the time.
Hmm… to each their own, I guess?
Stassi slaps Kristen over her affair with Jax
Another outrageous moment in Vanderpump history was when we learned about Kristen’s affair with Jax. It was a major bombshell since Kristen was so good at lying to both Sandoval, Stassi, and the audience, all while insisting it never happened.
To add fuel to the fire, Stassi and Kristen were best friends at the time. Due to their insanely close friendship, it felt like the ultimate betrayal. And when Stassi and Kristen finally sat down to talk things out, it exploded into a vicious catfight.
Tom and Ariana get together, leaving Kristen in the dark
Before the notorious Scandoval occurred, Tom was caught up in another scandal that involved Ariana. Long-long ago, in a kingdom far-away called Season 1 and Season 2, Tom was in a long-term relationship with Kristen. While dating Kristen, he began spending more and more time with his “buddy” Ariana.
Because Tom and Ariana were so close, Kristen grew rather jealous. After confronting Tom about his relationship with Ariana, he insisted over and over again that they were merely friends. Yet, after Tom left Kristen to be in a relationship with Ariana, Kristen was devastated by such treachery.
She warned the pair that their relationship would end badly, because of how it began!
(Sips tea, side-eyeing Tom and Ariana.)
James and Kristen’s wedding confrontation
@sobaditsgoodwithryanb One of the wildest moments in Vanderpump History! Doute confronts a drunken DJ James Kennedy at Scheana’s wedding! #vanderpumprules #bravotv #realitytv #pumprules ♬ Good As Gold - Scheana Marie
Shortly after Kristen’s Sandoval heartbreak, she hopped into a relationship with DJ sensation, James Kennedy. Although they seemed like an odd match - considering their age gap and mismatched personalities - it’s safe to say James was smitten. When Kristen began to neglect this relationship, all hell broke loose. The final straw occurred at Scheana and Shay’s wedding when Kristen…wait-wait. You guessed it: Kristen went off with another guy. This led to a horrible fight between the couple, with Kristen ending it by outright punching James.
Tequila Katie
When she’s not drunk, Katie comes across as the sweetest staff member at SUR. But as soon as she starts downing the tequila shots, the seemingly “innocent” one morphs into another person completely. She even has an alter ego for her drunken persona, whom she calls “Tequila Katie.”
Tequila Katie has done some malicious things in her day, from picking fights at birthday gatherings to verbally attacking Scheana merely for having some harmless fun.
Yet, the Tequila Katie persona recently landed her a nationwide commercial for Chili’s new Espresso Martini! Incidentally, in the ad, Katie emphasizes her love of tequila. Yep, that’s fitting!
Katie and Tom Divorce
Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz - aka TomKat - were a fan-favorite for many VPR fans. Sure, they’ve had their ups and downs (too many to count). But at the end of the day, there was a certain charm to their relationship which eventually led to marriage.
But according to Katie, she felt neglected, like she wasn’t a priority to Schwartz. In one heated argument, she emphasized how Tom defended his friends, but not his wife.
Fortunately, it seems like they’re on friendly terms now.
Jax cheats on Brittany with Faith
On Vanderpump Rules, Jax Taylor needs to cheat like fish need to swim. It’s just who he is. The SUR bartender cheats on every single woman he’s been in a relationship with. So it’s not exactly shocking when we learn he’s cheated on Brittany.
Only problem is he cheated on Brittany with her co-worker, Faith. While Brittany swore she was going to leave Jax after learning he’d cheated on her multiple times, the two worked it out. They even had a baby!
In 2024, after five years of marriage and nearly 10 years together, Jax and Brittany are separated.
Too sad.
Scandoval
And of course, we can’t include a list of Vanderpump Rules scandals without adding the infamous, legendary “Scandoval” to the list.
One of the most truly egregious moments in Vanderpump (or TV) history, was when fans learned of the affair between Tom Sandoval and Rachel Leviss. It came as such a surprise to audiences because Tom had been in a committed relationship with Ariana Madix for close to a decade. Viewers, who’d witnessed them evolve as a couple for years, felt a sense of second-hand betrayal.
To make matters worse, Sandoval had been cheating on Madix with Leviss for over six months.
While speaking on Hot Mic, the reality star spoke of what ignited his affair with Leviss. “I was lacking so much love,” Sandoval admitted. “I was yearning for it. ..I was yearning for that admiration in my life that I wasn't getting. And so when I got it, it became intoxicating to me."