Governor's Ball 2024, Celebrating the LGBTQ Community
The Governer’s Ball 2024, held on June 7-9, was a celebration of the queer community with performances from G-Flip, Doechii, Renee Rapp, Chappell Roan, Baby Queen, and more, proving that not only are they unquestionably visible but taking the spotlight. While the headliners being two men may not represent this notion, the standout shows of the weekend included queer women or strong female allies of the community.
On Saturday, Doechii performed for a small group of loyal fans and some stragglers, which then amassed to a pit moving with the beat with more curious bodies joining in. Though her music was known, her name will be remembered for the unforgettable renditions of fan favorites “Alter Ego” and “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake,” as well as opening the minds of younger hip-hop fans to the multitude of genres within that space with her own music.
Carly Rae Jepsen’s music has always been loved within the LGBTQ+ community, and her set on June 8th was nothing short of a Pride party. The crowd danced unapologetically to “Call Me Maybe” and “I Really Like You;” the joy was palpable throughout the festival.
Sunday brought new energy to the festival, with anticipation surrounding sets from Chappell Roan and Renee Rapp, who have gained explosive musical acclaim this year. Kicking off the day with G-Flip shook concertgoers into a rock show, with G delivering a ground-shaking performance of “Rough,” ritually played exclusively on the drums and queer anthem, “Gay For Me.”
Leaning into full camp by painting herself Lady Liberty green and wearing backless chaps, Chappell Roan rolled onto the stage in an apple bong, smoking a giant joint before launching directly into her first song, “Femininominon.” Between chants about sapphic love in “Casual” and dancing with her to “Hot to Go,” she brought attention to the primary reasoning of Pride, being a protest by announcing she turned down performing in the Pride celebration at the White House as an introduction to her song, “My Kink is Karma.” In a true nod to the drag queens and queer icons that inspire her, Chappell Roan made a statement to one of her biggest crowds as the Statue of Liberty herself using the etchings on her feet to acknowledge the need for equal rights for the trans community, women, and “oppressed people in occupied territories” shortly following the attack on Rafah during the ongoing war in Gaza. Closing her set with “Pink Pony Club” put a pink bow on the experience that encapsulated the love, empathy, and joy that comes with being in a safe space for queer people just to be themselves.
Renee Rapp said it best during her set on Sunday, “We are so visible, it's sickening.” The representation of queer artists can be seen on the charts and the media and has reached an unprecedented level. With Chappell Roan’s debut album reaching number 12 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart the week following her performance and the rise in popularity of artists like Doechii and Baby Queen, the Governor’s Ball 2024 was a window into the phenomenon of “gay pop,” which is here to take over the music scene.
Emma Karp (yellow tank)
Article + Photos by Emma Karp, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Bradley Duley, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
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