Ahead of her monumental set at Gov Ball 2026, the musician chatted with L’OFFICIEL about all things music, fashion, and more.

While Gov Ball stands as one of the most major events on the festival circuit, fans would be hard-pressed to find a musician more excited about the occasion than Michelle Zauner, the ever-charismatic, multi-hyphenate singer at the helm of Japanese Breakfast. 
For Zauner, Gov Ball was a big deal. Headlining a festival always proves to be an exciting affair, but with new music and a special announcement in store, the set was even more anticipated than attendees may have expected. After all, it was the first event where she announced to the public that she was pregnant with her first child. At the festival, the singer took to the stage sporting a vibrant green Shu Shu Tong number—an ensemble that reflected her own personal style and accommodated her brand-new baby bump. 
Beyond the announcement at the festival, Zauner, a true artist and creative in every sense, was keen to show off some of the band’s newest songs and catch a few sets from fellow musicians—because even the industry's most successful artists are fans, too. 
“I was so excited to finally get a chance to catch Geese and they did not disappoint,” Zauner tells L’OFFICIEL.
Ahead of the festival, L’OFFICIEL caught up with the musician, who reflected on returning to the stage at Gov Ball, the importance of personal style as a performer, and her many creative pursuits.

L&rsquo;OFFICIEL: How did you choose your look for Gov Ball? Do you prioritize comfort or style when it comes to festival fashion?
MICHELLE ZAUNER: I've always loved Shu Shu Tong and they've been really supportive throughout my career. It was honestly so hard to find something to fit my changing body. I knew I wanted to wear something that showed off my baby bump because this was the first festival where I was going to announce to the public that I was pregnant. For summer festivals you definitely have to account for the weather and wear something that you can perform comfortably&nbsp;in in the heat.
L&rsquo;O:&nbsp;How would you define your style, on and off the stage? Have you noticed your taste in fashion fluctuate over the years, or has there always been an aesthetic you&rsquo;ve been drawn to?&nbsp;
MZ: I've become much more adventurous in my fashion over the years and dressing up for performances was a huge part of that. Cece Liu, the stylist I've worked with for a long time, introduced me to a lot of brands that I wear and love. I think playfulness is a big part of my style on and off stage.&nbsp;

L&rsquo;O: How early do you start preparing for a festival like Gov Ball, both mentally and fashion-wise? What does your pre-show routine look like?
MZ: One of my managers, Olivia Harrington, played a huge role in coordinating with brands to find something special to wear for Gov Ball. It was a really special occasion and a difficult task to dress my body the way it is now. It was fun getting to pair it with some Catbird pieces,&nbsp;with whom I collaborated with on a line of jewelry this year. And it's been hard to find a better shoe to pair with any outfit than these Miu Miu wedges I've worn to death, because I'm short and they give me so much height without being cumbersome to walk in.&nbsp;
My pre-show routine consisted of doing hair and make up with my longtime friend and hair and make up artist Mai Waki, some vocal warmups, a band huddle, practicing a few things on guitar.
L&rsquo;O: What's your favorite part about playing a festival? Is it performing your own set with your bandmates, watching other artists, or something else entirely? How does the energy compare to your headline shows?
MZ: I actually really love festivals because it's a shorter set, which allows for you to really showcase the highlights of your oeuvre. A lot of times you don't get much time to soundcheck and there's a throw and go energy that can be both harrowing and exhilarating. Headline sets involve a lot more preparation and different flow of energy that feels a little more fragile and intimate.&nbsp;
L&rsquo;O: What's your ultimate festival must-have? Is there one thing (beauty, fashion, self-care, etc.) you absolutely can't go to a festival without?
MZ: So boring and three things: Water, sunscreen and in-ear monitors! And these days we keep getting set times during crazy sun hours so sunglasses as well!

L&rsquo;O: You&rsquo;ve played Gov Ball in the past. What keeps bringing you back to the festival, and what makes Gov Ball different from other festivals you've played?&nbsp;&nbsp;What's your favorite song to perform right now?&nbsp;
MZ: I live in New York so it's honestly very convenient for me to get to play Gov Ball and then just drive on home. I love being in New York and playing for New Yorkers. I've been loving the new material&mdash;songs like &ldquo;Honey Water&rdquo; and &ldquo;Mega Circuit&rdquo; especially are so fun to play on the guitar. We've also recently resuscitated a BUMPER song called &ldquo;Black Light&rdquo; which has been a delight to play. BUMPER was a side project I started with Ryan Galloway from Crying during COVID that I feel is criminally underrated and full of bops.&nbsp;

L&rsquo;O: You&rsquo;ve also published a number of essays and a memoir. Does writing prose feel different from a song? Do you prefer one over the other?&nbsp;&nbsp;
MZ: I love both mediums so much and will continue to pursue both I think for as long as each will have me. Prose takes so much longer to write than a song, just by nature of the real estate it offers you.&nbsp;

Inside Michelle Zauner’s Festival State of Mind

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