Saturday at Governors Ball wasn’t just any day—it was a surge. Beneath thick clouds and bursts of unpredictable weather, the festival pulsed with its loudest heartbeat yet. A brief rain delay early in the day only added to the tension, pushing anticipation higher before the skies cleared and the music roared back to life.

It was a day defined by emotional extremes: mosh pits and singalongs, high-octane performances and introspective pauses. The chaos never felt out of control—it felt necessary, like a collective release.

In this piece, I’ll take you through the artists who brought that energy to life, the moments that left the biggest mark, and the performances that turned the stormy sky into the perfect backdrop for something unforgettable.

Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo’s headlining set on Saturday night at Governors Ball 2025 was a full-circle moment—raw, radiant, and unmistakably hers. After a slight weather delay earlier in the day, the skies cleared just in time for her to take the stage, and she made the most of every second. From the moment she opened with “bad idea right?” to the explosive energy of “good 4 u,” the crowd was fully locked in, singing every word like a collective scream therapy session.

Her voice—sharp, emotional, and stronger than ever—carried through the park with ease, but it wasn’t just the vocals that hit. Olivia’s stage presence has evolved into something commanding; she owned the moment with the confidence of a veteran while still delivering the kind of emotional vulnerability that made her music resonate in the first place.

Then came the moment: a surprise appearance from none other than David Byrne. Dressed in his signature red overalls, the Talking Heads frontman joined Olivia onstage for a wildly fun duet of “Burning Down the House.” The two bounced off each other effortlessly, blending eras and styles in a way that felt both surreal and totally seamless. Their joy was infectious—it was one of those rare festival moments where time slows down, and you realize you’re watching something genuinely special.

Olivia Rodrigo didn’t just headline—she transformed the night. Balancing teenage angst and grown-up poise, personal heartbreak and pop spectacle, her Gov Ball 2025 set proved she’s not only one of pop’s most important voices right now—she’s one of its brightest live performers.

Conan Gray

Conan Gray transformed the Gov Ball main stage into a pop epic on Saturday night—equal parts heartbreak and spectacle. After a weather delay pushed his set back, anticipation buzzed through the crowd, and he delivered with a theatrical, emotionally rich performance that was well worth the wait.

Dressed in a sailor-inspired look and framed by crashing wave visuals, he opened with the live debut of “This Song,” setting a moody tone before launching into fan favorites like “Heather,” “Memories,” and “Never Ending Song.” His voice—clear, aching, and powerful—cut through the night with ease, anchoring a set that felt both deeply personal and larger-than-life.

What sets Conan apart is how seamlessly he blends intimacy and drama. Even in a massive festival crowd, his songs feel like whispered confessions wrapped in glitter and stage lights. His Gov Ball debut wasn’t just a performance—it was a statement. Conan Gray has arrived, and he’s doing it on his own terms.

Feid

Feid brought the fire to a storm-soaked Saturday at Governors Ball, turning the night into one of the most high-octane parties of the weekend. Taking the stage in his signature neon green shades and full Ferxxo swagger, he didn’t just perform—he took over.

From the jump, the energy was unmatched. Tracks like “Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo,” “CHIMBITA,” and “Classy 101” had the crowd moving like it was a packed Medellín block party, not a muddy field in Queens. His dancers, the booming bass, and bursts of pyro only added to the spectacle—but it was Feid’s charisma that truly lit the place up.

Even with the earlier rain delay, nothing could cool off the momentum. Feid made sure every person in that crowd felt the rhythm, often stepping to the edge of the stage, chest out, arms wide, soaking in the chants of “Ferxxoooo!” with a smile that said, I told you so.

What makes him such a standout live isn’t just the hits—it’s how real he is with the crowd. He knows when to hype, when to slow it down, and when to just let the beat breathe. On a day that started with clouds and chaos, Feid brought the catharsis: joy, movement, and a reminder that reggaeton doesn’t just play—it lives.

Wallows

Wallows brought a wave of indie-rock bliss to Saturday’s Governors Ball, delivering a set that felt like a perfectly soundtracked coming-of-age film in real time. With their signature blend of nostalgic melodies, tight instrumentation, and understated charm, the trio locked into a groove early—and never let it go.

Opening with fan favorite “Remember When,” they quickly had the crowd swaying, singing, and shouting every lyric like it was tattooed on their hearts. Tracks like “Are You Bored Yet?” and “Scrawny” hit with even more energy live, their polished yet punchy performance proving just how much they’ve grown as a live act.

Wallows aren’t flashy—and that’s exactly their magic. There’s an authenticity to the way they move, interact, and play that makes their sets feel personal, even in a massive festival setting. They didn’t need spectacle—they had songs, heart, and a crowd that showed up for them.

On a Saturday stacked with high drama and big pop moments, Wallows carved out a space of their own: earnest, electric, and quietly unforgettable.

Orion Sun

Orion Sun brought a moment of stillness and soul to the chaos of Saturday at Governors Ball—a breath of fresh air in a day otherwise driven by high energy and big production. Her set felt more like a conversation than a performance, filled with warmth, vulnerability, and quiet strength.

Bathed in golden light, she eased into songs like “Antidote” and “Concrete,” her voice floating over minimalist beats and live instrumentation with an effortless grace. There was something magnetic in her stillness—no gimmicks, no distractions, just pure emotion and intentional delivery. You could feel the crowd lean in, like they didn’t want to miss a word.

Orion Sun has a way of making a festival stage feel like a living room—personal, introspective, and safe. In a weekend full of noise, her set was a soft, grounding force that stayed with you long after she walked off stage. She didn’t need to shout to be heard—she just felt true.

Young Miko

Young Miko lit up Saturday at Governors Ball with a set that was fierce, fun, and unapologetically hers. Blending reggaeton, trap, and alt-pop with razor-sharp confidence, she brought an energy that felt fresh, rebellious, and ready to take over.

From the moment she stepped onstage, decked out in streetwear and shades, she had the crowd in the palm of her hand. Tracks like “Lisa,” “Classy 101 (Remix),” and “Riri” hit hard, each one met with wild cheers and bouncing hands. Her flow was tight, her presence magnetic, and her swagger completely effortless.

What makes Young Miko stand out is how naturally she owns the stage. She doesn’t just perform—she connects. Between songs, she hyped the crowd, shouted out her fans, and made it feel like one big shared party. And even in the middle of a packed festival lineup, she carved out a moment that felt raw and powerfully self-assured.

Young Miko isn’t just part of the new wave—she is the wave. And at Gov Ball, she made damn sure everyone felt it.

Artemas

Artemas delivered one of the most buzzed-about breakout sets of Saturday, turning curiosity into full-blown fandom in under an hour. With his moody, genre-blurring sound and magnetic stage presence, he proved he’s not just riding a viral wave—he’s building something bigger.

Opening with “i like the way you kiss me,” the crowd erupted, instantly confirming the song’s grip beyond streaming numbers. From there, he moved through a slick, emotionally layered set that balanced alt-pop hooks with darker, grittier textures. His voice cut through cleanly, laced with just enough edge to match the vulnerability in his lyrics.

What stood out most was Artemas’s cool confidence. He didn’t try to oversell—he just was. Every track felt locked in, every movement intentional, and the audience fed off that calm control. For many, it was the first time seeing him live—and it won’t be the last.

Artemas didn’t just show up at Gov Ball—he arrived. And he left the kind of impression that’ll have people saying, “I saw him before he blew up.”

Saturday at Governors Ball was a rollercoaster of sound and emotion—defined by weather delays, surprise guests, breakout moments, and unforgettable performances that pushed every corner of the lineup to its limit. From the genre-bending chaos to the quiet, soul-stirring sets, the day pulsed with the kind of energy that only a festival at its peak can deliver.

And the weekend’s not over yet. Stay tuned—full coverage of Sunday’s performances is coming soon.