Jun 26

Jun 26 Winning GovBall's #VIP4Life

"Show us some love and you might just win #VIP4Life" was the message I saw on GovBall's Snapchat story back in October of last year. I also saw the announcement on GovBall's Instagram minutes later, and immediately–I knew my blog post about the festival could maybe stand a chance.

Here's the tweet I posted to win:

Two weeks later, I won the thing:

Surreal. Awesome. Amazing.

My phone blew up with congratulatory messages from online strangers I did not know. I TWEETED IN ALL CAPS. There was too much excitement to contain. I got extremely lucky!

Fast Forward to Two Beautiful Days of Awesome

Although cut short by forecasted thunderstorms causing a string of NYC secret shows and upset and/or angry tweets, this year's Governors Ball still delivered two great days of exciting food and music. A free access to multiple VIP lounges might've influenced a chunk of my experience but I think overall, most would agree: the artists who did not miss a chance to perform were incredible, and the food lineup was impressive as usual.

Favorites, Regrets, and Thunderstorms

Day 1 Favorites:
The Strokes' fashionably late set; Duke Dumont's setlist; Christine and the Queens' super sweet dance moves; Matt and Kim's hyper engagement with the crowd.

Day 1 Regret:
Missing Jamie XX.

Waiting for The Strokes. — Waiting for *The Strokes*.

Day 2 Favorites:
The Knocks and their surprise guests; govballers' unbroken spirit despite the sudden downpour; VIP tents to find protection from said downpour; Este's bass face; Haim's new songs; Miike Snow in the rain; M83's closing set.

Lights and sounds at M83's closing set. — Lights and sounds at *M83*'s closing set.

Day 2 Regrets:
Missing The Killers.

Day 3 Would've Been Favorites:
Courtney Barnett singing "Pedestrian at Best"; seeing Two Door Cinema Club again after five years; seeing Death Cab Cutie perform in an outdoor setting; dancing to Betty Who's "High Society".

Day 3 Bummer:
The thunderstorm that robbed us all.

Gov Ball EEEEEats

Another thing to love about GovBall is its equal dedication to the festival food lineup. It's impossible to run short of food options if you have NYC's favorite restaurants and food trucks sitting one after another. Transactions are also quick and easy, you won't waste precious festival time waiting on line.

Mac Truck's pulled pork mac & cheese. — **Mac Truck**'s pulled pork mac & cheese.

Momofuku Milk Bar's crack pie — **Momofuku Milk Bar**'s crack pie

Black Tap's famous milkshake — **Black Tap**'s famous milkshake

I also have Governors Ball to thank, since I finally got to try New York's original ramen burge r I've always skipped at Smorgasburg. It was pretty delicious.