The best backstage snaps from Governors Ball 2018, from Shawn Mendes to Billie Eilish

If you’ve ever wondered what backstage at a festival looks like, it’s usually a lot of white trailers, fancy drinks, and bands being coerced into standing in the shrubbery by NME photographers. Governors Ball 2018 was no different, as these photos of everyone, from pop heartthrob Shawn Mendes to punk pair Slaves, will attest.

1Sylvan Esso

The two sides of Sylvan Esso: killer poise and a ton of fun.

2Billie Eilish

Rising pop Billie Eilish comes back down to Earth after an incredible performance on the American Eagle stage.

3Wolf Alice

Sombre, relief, happiness, exhaustion: Wolf Alice model the four stages of wrapping up your North American tour.

4Vic Mensa

He might have chopped off his dreadlocks, but the punk as fuck Vic Mensa hasn't lost any of his power.

5The Struts

Derby's The Struts before donning their incredibly glam stage outfits.

6Slaves

Slaves take some time to be at one with nature after opening Gov Ball with a bang.

7Chvrches

Chvrches' Iain Cook didn't get the memo about looking moodily to your left for this one.

8Confidence Man

Janet Planet uses bandmate Sugar Bones' to get her post-performance stretches done.

9Cut Copy

Aussies Cut Copy head into the bushes.

10Kelela

Kelela, here, showing how to master a simple pose full of attitude.

11Margo Price

And here's Margo Price effortlessly picking up her lead.

12Shawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes lighting up (or should we say illuminating) an otherwise drab bit of backstage.