Last night (June 5), Lorde and her Arc'teryx-clad dancers lit up the Governors Ball main stage, nine years after the New Zealand artist's debut at the New York festival. "I'm more nervous before this show than I've ever been in a long time—partly because we've never done this show before, and partly because I'm obsessed with you, and I can't even pretend I'm not," she admitted.
The 21-song concert began with a previously unreleased track featuring Lorde playing synthesizer. This was followed by a shortened version of her breakout hit "Royals," during which Lorde filled an aluminum bottle, which serves as her Instagram profile picture, with water from a fountain located to the right of the stage.
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Lorde at the 2026 Governors Ball in New York City (photo: Wes Orshosky).
A number of songs were performed in alternate or shortened versions, including "Buzzcut Season," an extended intro featuring "The Louvre," "Green Light," and "Supercut." The crowd, as expected, delighted with Lorde's remix of Charli xcx's "Girl, So Confusing," which helped the two pop queens smooth over the supposed feud between them following its release last year.
Lorde closed the show by performing "Ribs" along the barriers on her way to the side stage, but not before shouting "Go Knicks!" to the crowd, who were no doubt watching the score of the NBA Finals between her team and the San Antonio Spurs.
Baby Kim at the 2026 Governor's Ball in New York City (photo: Wes Orshosky).
Other notable highlights from the first day of Governors Ball included Baby Keem's return to the festival after his 2023 performance alongside his cousin Kendrick Lamar, which was evenly split between six songs from his 2021 debut album. The Melodic Blue and this year's album Casino . Following their recent impressive performance at Coachella, KATSEYE delivered another set of upbeat global pop—a performance enlivened by both their relaxed interaction with the crowd and the band members' vibrant outfits.
KATSEYE at the 2026 Governors Ball in New York City (photo: Wes Orshosky). A young fan of KATSEYE at the 2026 Governors Ball in New York City (photo: Wes Orshosky). Mariah the scientist at the 2026 Governors Ball in New York City (photo: Wes Orshosky). Vic Fuentes of Pierce the Veil at the 2026 Governors Ball in New York City (photo: Wes Orshosky). Elizabeth Stokes of Beth's family at the 2026 Governors Ball in New York City (photo: Wes Orshosky).
Governors Ball continues on Saturday with performances by 2hollis, Snow Strippers, Blood Orange and Stray Kids.
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