Fresh off of a venue-filling performance at Boston Calling, "Your favorite artist's favorite artist" Chappell Roan arrived at New York's 2024 Governors Ball with something to prove -- and that she did.
Long before Roan was set to take the stage, queues of girls wearing pink cowboy hats and boots trekked across Corona Park in an attempt to reach the barricade. It was easy to spot Roan fans on the lengthy journey from the Mets-Willets Point subway station to the gates of Gov Ball. Even the VIP section -- which consistently showed a smaller turnout for lower billed acts -- was packed to the brim several minutes before the Midwestern Princess' set began.
Roan began her performance in true NYC-style by emerging from a literal "Big Apple" while smoking a massive joint. Before she appeared, a screen projected a Google search query asking, "Am I gay?"
The songstress, painted green from head to toe, dressed in drag as Lady Liberty, who she deemed the "biggest queen of all." Roan paused after a fantastic opening trifecta of "Femininomenon," "Naked in Manhattan" and "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" to remind the audience of the famous words written on the plaque at the Statue of Liberty's feet: "Give me your tired, your poor; your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
"That means freedom and trans rights, that means freedom and women's rights, and it especially means freedom for all," she said, while appearing to hold back tears. "Oppressed people in occupied territories."
The crowd whooped, clapped and hollered in response before Roan dove head first into the catchy "HOT TO GO!" She began the song by teaching the audience how to properly dance during the chorus.
"H-O-T-T-O-G-O," she explained, forming the letters with her arms before shimmying into the "You can take me hot to go" portion of the choreography. While many festival goers already knew the dance, the rest caught on quickly and a sea of arms took over the crowd as Roan belted the chorus.
Roan also surprised Gov Ball goers by debuting a brand-new song: "Subway." The track is a lament to a lost love, of whom Roan sings, "Yeah, I'm still counting down all of the days/'Til you're just another girl on the subway."
Ironically, she sang "Subway" while dressed as a yellow taxi cab.
The Midwestern Princess dipped into classics like "Casual," fan favorites like "Red Wine Supernova" and the ever-so viral "Good Luck, Babe!" Young girls clad in pinks, reds and purples (and I) appeared rabid as Roan flexed her immaculate vocal abilities.
As her set began to wind down, Roan explained that her performance of "My Kink is Karma" would be dedicated to the White House and President Joe Biden's administration.
"This is a response to the White House, who asked me to perform for Pride. We want liberty, justice, and freedom for all. When you do that, that's when I'll come," she proclaimed.
The crowd cheered in response as Roan began to sing: "We broke up on a Tuesday/Kicked me out with the rent paid." After wrapping up "My Kink is Karma," Roan rounded out her set with the 2020 classic "Pinky Pony Club."
As Roan finished the line, "I'm gonna keep on dancing," she was, once again, met with whoops and rounds of applause. After thanking the audience, she disappeared off stage -- only to be found again during Faye Webster's set.
After taking over two festivals in a row, Chappell Roan is more than just someone to keep your eye, she's a bona fide pop princess in the making.
The 2024 Governors Ball took place June 7-9 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York City.
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