Lizzo calls for 'clean air' during headlining show at New York's Governors Ball Music Festival
NEW YORK — Lizzo brought the “Juice” to her latest headlining show in New York, after several days of hazardous air quality in the city due to Canadian wildfires.
The “Good As Hell” singer closed the first night of Governors Ball Music Festival, which welcomed thousands of concertgoers to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on Friday.
In the days leading up to the festival, many people questioned whether the event would be canceled due to the smoke-induced haze that plagued New York and other parts of the East Coast earlier this week. But the city lifted its air quality alert Friday afternoon as the smog dissipated, 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 makes a plea for 'clean air' amid Canadian wildfires
In a rousing speech, Lizzo called for climate action at the end 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."
Sporting pink hair and a silver gown, the four-time Grammy winner performed a lively, dance-heavy set, running through hits including “About Damn Time,” “Special” and “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready).” Highlights of the show included a powerhouse cover of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman;” Pride anthem “Everybody’s Gay,” which she sang while draped in a rainbow flag; and “Rumors,” her spiky collaboration with Cardi B.
“Black women made rock ‘n’ roll!” she proclaimed mid-song, as the late Tina Turner’s name appeared onscreen behind her.
Throughout the night, she also preached self-love and body positivity, and shouted out her “big girls” on and off stage.
“I take care of my body,” Lizzo told the crowd. “I look good in my body. Everybody deserves love.”
Ice Spice, Haim, more stand out during Governors Ball Day 1
Female artists dominated Friday’s Gov Ball lineup. Rising stars Ice Spice and Kim Petras brought out their respective hits “Princess Diana” and “Unholy,” with the latter braving a sudden downpour during her set.
Remi Wolf charmed an early-evening crowd with her onstage banter and earwormy blend of pop, soul and funk.
“I was wearing a New York Knicks jacket and it felt really weird because I didn’t know who the New York Knicks were before this morning,” said the Palo Alto, California, native. “But they play basketball and I play hacky sack. They’re pretty similar, so there’s a lot of kinship there.”
The night’s best performance belonged to sister band Haim, who wowed with electrifying renditions of fan favorites including “My Song 5,” “Summer Girl” and “The Wire.” Anyone who’s been to a Haim concert knows just how hilarious the trio is, with Alana and Este trading one-liners as Danielle took charge on drums.
“Maybe I need to find a husband tonight,” Alana deadpanned. “Will anyone marry me?”
“Everyone we talk to says, ‘You guys have to move to New York if you’re going to find husbands,' because all three of us are single,” Este added, earning loud cheers from the audience.
Gov Ball continues Saturday and Sunday with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X, Rina Sawayama, Lauv and Snail Mail.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lizzo calls for 'clean air' at NYC concert amid Canadian wildfires
