NEW YORK — Lizzo brought the “juice” to her latest headlining show in New York City, following several days of dangerous air quality in the city due to wildfires in Canada.
The “Good As Hell” singer wrapped up the first night of the Governors Ball Music Festival, which welcomed thousands at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on Friday.
In the days leading up to the festival, many people wondered if 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 on Friday afternoon as the smog cleared, and Gov Ball organizers assured attendees in an email that “we continue to monitor conditions with weather experts and city officials, and we’ll do it all weekend.”
Lizzo pleads for ‘clean air’ amid Canada 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, the Indigenous peoples of this country,” Lizzo said. “We have 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 dress, the four-time Grammy winner performed a lively and dance-heavy set, swiping through hits like “About Damn Time,” “Special” and “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready) “. Highlights of the show included a powerful cover of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman”; The pride anthem “Everybody’s Gay”, which she sang while draped in a rainbow flag; and “Rumors,” his thorny collaboration with Cardi B.
“Black women rock ‘n’ roll!” she proclaimed in the middle of the song, as the name of the late Tina Turner appeared on screen behind her.
Throughout the night, she also preached about self-love and body positivity, and shouted her “big girls” on and off stage.
“I take care of my body,” Lizzo told the crowd. “I’m good in my body. Everyone deserves love.”
Ice Spice, Haim, others stand out on day one of Governors Ball
Female artists dominated Friday’s Gov Ball lineup. Rising stars Ice Spice and Kim Petras released their respective hits “Princess Diana” and “Unholy”, the latter braving a sudden downpour during her set.
Remi Wolf charmed an early-night crowd with his stage banter and ruddy mix of pop, soul and funk.
“I was wearing a New York Knicks jacket and it was really weird because I didn’t know who the New York Knicks were until this morning,” the Palo Alto, Calif., native said. “But they play basketball and I play hacky sack. They’re quite similar, so there’s a lot of kinship there.
The best performance of the night came from sister group 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 gig knows how hilarious the trio is, with Alana and Este swapping understudy as Danielle takes over the drums.
“Maybe I have to find a husband tonight,” said deadpan Alana. “Does anyone want to marry me? »
“Everyone we talk to says, ‘You have to move to New York if you want to find husbands,’ because all three of us are single,” Este added, to cheers from the audience.
Gov Ball continues Saturday and Sunday with artists including Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X, Rina Sawayama, Lauv and Snail Mail.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lizzo calls for ‘clean air’ at New York concert amid Canada wildfires