“Did it say ‘storm is in the area?’” Rachel Chinouriri asked after settling into a tent on the grounds at Gov Ball. The English musician was still getting the hang of the ever-changing nature of New York summer weather — which this past weekend included a fair share of flash storms — but was in high spirits nonetheless. Her Gov Ball summary thus far? “Sweating. Nip slips. Storms. Jumping and screaming,” the 27-year-old singer-songwriter said. “I think that’s a good summary. Which is a huge success.” Rachel Chinouriri Ryan Williams/WWD Chinouriri began releasing music in 2018 and has been steadily rising since then, breaking into the U.S. market with songs like “All I Ever Asked” and “Never Needed Me,” which featured her friend Florence Pugh in the music video. She is set to open for Gracie Abrams’ upcoming tour over her North American dates. Chinouriri was in N...
For 25-year-old Lexa Gates, Gov Ball 2026 was a homecoming. The Astoria, Queens, native had just returned to New York after spending a month in L.A., and was making her stage debut at the music festival, not far from where she grew up. “It feels cool. I feel comfortable,” the rapper and singer said of playing in front of a Queens crowd. “I feel like they’re going to understand what I’m saying because they’re from where I’m from.” Gates, born Ivanna Martinez, has been making music since she was 17, a few years after she dropped out of high school. After several years of recording music at home, she released her major label debut album “Elite Vessel” in 2024, and last January released “I Am,” which she’ll be on the road promoting this summer. “I’m about to go to Europe for a tour and I’m just working on an album. I kind of want to chill,” she said of her summer ahead. “I wish I could chill, but this is fun.” ...