Lizzo's performance at the 2023 Governors Ball Music Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York City, on Friday was electrifying.
She was able to complete her performance despite the extremely poor air quality in New York City, which has been plagued by smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires that have engulfed much of the Northeastern United States.
In the days leading up to the festival, many people wondered if it would be canceled due to the smoke-induced pollution that blanketed New York and other East Coast cities earlier this week. As the smog dissipated, however, the city lifted its air quality alert on Friday afternoon, and Gov Ball organizers assured attendees in an email that "we're continuing to monitor conditions with weather experts and city officials, and will do so throughout the weekend."
Lizzo called for climate action in an impassioned speech at the conclusion of her hour-long set. "In light of all the environmental events and disasters, we need to listen to our First Nations, indigenous people of this country," Lizzo said. "We need to listen to our water protectors because they're trying to make sure we have land to live on ... Because (we) love clean air."
In addition to Kendrick Lamar and Odesza, additional headliners at the festival include Ice Spice, Diplo, Lil Nas X, Haim, Rina Sawayama, Pusha T, Snail Mail, Lil Uzi Vert, Giveon, Lil Baby, PinkPantheress, Black Midi, and Syd. The 35-year-old About Damn Time singer, who recently debuted ultra-short 'Beyonce' bangs for her Special Tour, donned a bright pink wig and a silver jumpsuit with a high leg slit.
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Four backup dancers donning pink wigs and silver outfits flanked her. Before the Governors Ball, a three-day outdoor music festival, the organizers meticulously monitored the air quality with the help of meteorologists. As smoke from more than 400 Canadian wildfires continues to blow south, officials say they have been in constant contact with the city to assure the safety of all attendees.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the city's air quality is presently among the worst in the world. He advised city dwellers to remain indoors because the air quality is'very unhealthy' Lizzo's performance occurs midway through The Special Tour, which began in September.
The purpose of her tour was to promote her most recent album release, "Special."
The album, which peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, was released in July of last year to largely favorable reviews. The performer began her tour with a sold-out FLA Live Arena performance in Sunrise, Florida. During her tour, which included several European dates in February and March, Lizzo has been accompanied by acts including Latto, Saucy Santana, and Bree Runway.
In the comments section of her Instagram account, where she has over 13 million followers, the star has received significant adoration from admirers throughout her recent shows. During her April performance in Knoxville, Tennessee, the singer-songwriter invited several drag queens on stage to protest the state's policies regarding public drag performances.
However, the singer's tour has not been without obstacles, as she had to cancel a scheduled visit in Montreal due to influenza symptoms. Lizzo was consequently compelled to cancel her Hartford, Connecticut performance, and she released a video to inform her fans that she had contracted strep throat. The rescheduled dates are June 11 and June 13, respectively. Her tour will conclude on July 30 with a performance at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.
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