Lollapalooza came and went to Chicago last weekend, complete with a star-studded lineup and a light breeze cooling crowds circling Grant Park’s iconic fountain, an emblem of the city and the festival’s epicenter. The buzz throughout the city’s neighborhoods was as contagious as the cheering of the park’s crowds themselves.
Let me be up front–I’m no festival expert. This is only my third music festival I’ve attended (following Atlanta’s no-longer-existent Music Midtown and Miami’s Ultra Music Festival), but I do consider myself a bit of a general concert connoisseur.
And let me just say: This past weekend was absolutely any music fan’s dream. The festival model itself allows for such a fluid, fulfilling experience for a superfan like myself. You can pop in and out of acts and see performers you’ve never heard of (and leave if it’s not for you) as well as crowd-favorites and your own eclectic taste. Besides the constant dehydration and overwhelming amount of fried food (or maybe that’s a pro?), the setup is, if you ask me, heavenly.
Let’s break down Lollapalooza 2025 specifically, though. Around 115,000 fans swarmed Grant Park per day, making the four-day festival attendance around 400,000 fans. The festival features over 150 performers across nine stages, the largest being the T-Mobile and Bud Light stages, fit for the biggest headliners of each night.
Fans came dressed for the occasion–think of a never-ending sea of micro shorts, pashmina scarves, strappy tops and hydration backpacks with connected straws. That’s the essence of the Lollapalooza crowd.
As for the artists, this year certainly did not disappoint. Traditionally, in the early years (the festival began in 1991, with a few breaks over the decades), Lolla leaned more alternative and rock, featuring acts like Jane’s Addiction and Nine Inch Nails. Now, to some Lolla traditionalists’ dismay (as I learned in part from my mid-60s aged Uber driver), this year’s lineup featured some unapologetically mainstream pop icons as well as country, rap and electronic artists alike. Though some may be disappointed in Lolla’s gradual drifting from its niche, I appreciated the diversity of genres on display.
Headliners included Tyler, The Creator and Luke Combs on Thursday; Olivia Rodrigo and Korn on Friday; Rüfüs du Sol and Twice on Saturday; and Sabrina Carpenter and A$AP Rocky to close out the weekend on Sunday night.
Other fan favorites included rising alternative pop star Role Model, who brought such a packed crowd to the Tito’s stage that I had to give up and make my way to the next act on my list. Another was hip-hop and rap powerhouse Doechii, who will undoubtedly be a clear candidate for a headlining slot in the next couple of years based on her indomitable stage presence and massive crowd draw. Groups like Flipturn, The Marías, Still Woozy, Cage the Elephant and Djo also clearly had cult followings in the Lolla crowd.
Given that there are at least three acts going on at any particular time, my fellow festivalgoers and I were not fortunate enough to soak up every set, but I did my best to cover a lot of ground. Based on what I attended, or more accurately, danced erratically to, here are some reflections:
Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams was every bit as lovely in person as her music suggests, and her live vocals have only gotten stronger over the last few months of the festival circuit. The bridge of “Free Now” felt as powerful as it does when driving with the windows down on a summer day. “That’s So True” and “Risk” all landed beautifully with the golden hour crowd. She brought out Robyn for a rendition of “Dancing On My Own,” creating a live mashup with “Close to You” for the end of her set.
Dom Dolla
If there’s a peak moment for house and EDM at Lolla, Dom Dolla’s set was it. “San Frandisco,” “Crave,” a sea of lasers and lights–this performance was essentially just a massive dance break. I even spotted a few young kids in the crowd (with their parents), which I thought to be both surprising and endearing.
T-Pain
This one was quite nostalgic. T-Pain ran through “Low,” “Booty Wurk” and other early‑2000s staples before diving into an unexpected cover medley that included “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The crowd seemed shocked yet receptive to the change in vibe, and their energy was huge for an afternoon set.
Bleachers
Jack Antonoff and the band turned Friday’s golden hour into a communal celebration, complete with heavy saxophone solos and endless crowd interaction. “Don’t Take The Money” and “Chinatown” were standout moments for me and the other “Bleachers People,” as Antonoff calls us.
Olivia Rodrigo
Flawless from start to finish. Rodrigo’s live vocals were crystal‑clear, her all‑female band brought extreme rock energy, and she surprised the crowd by bringing out Weezer — her first concert as a fan — for two songs. She also broke Lolla’s all‑time performance attendance record with more than 115,000 people, a testament to the young 22-year-old’s bright future as a singer-songwriter. Makes me feel slightly under-accomplished, but oh, well.
Wallows
Even from a distance, Wallows’ blend of rock and indie felt magnetic. Dylan Minnette’s nonchalant stage presence made me want to dive deeper into their music.
Naomi Scott
I showed up for “She’s So Gone” from Lemonade Mouth, and Scott mostly delivered (though I would have preferred a slightly more upbeat version of this hit). Her voice was strong, the crowd was large, and it’s clear she’s carved out a solid post‑Disney career.
Young Miko
Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko delivered a high‑energy set that had an afternoon group of fans very lively, even if her style isn’t exactly in my regular rotation. Her flirty stage presence and winks to the camera had some in the audience (including my editor, according to her testament) swooning.
Clairo
Clairo arrived straight from the airport and somehow made it feel like an intentional entrance. Between her nostalgic black‑and‑white visuals and dreamy vocals on hits like “Bags” and “Sofia,” she created a mellow but magnetic atmosphere. Bonus points for the adorable crowd banter.
Rüfüs Du Sol
An Australian electronic act with near‑universal appeal, Rüfüs Du Sol’s set drew fans of all ages and demographics. The lights, visuals and crowd singalongs turned Grant Park into a massive, euphoric dance party.
Two Friends
Even catching only the second half of Two Friends’ set (after the first half of Rüfüs Du Sol) was enough to feel the chaos: fire bursts, drones, lasers and remixes that had everyone in constant motion. Funnily enough, the duo themselves looked like two completely regular guys who happened to be standing on an iconic Lolla stage.
Remi Wolf
Two years ago, I saw her opening for Lorde in front of a modest crowd. This time, she filled the Bud Light stage with infectious energy, urging everyone to “get loose” while bouncing across the stage in her signature playful style.
Finneas
Multi‑instrumentalist, songwriter and all‑around talent, Finneas delivered a warm, engaging set. He brought out Ashe to debut songs from their new band, The Favors, and their musical chemistry was ridiculous. Finneas’s enthusiasm for the festival was evident, and the performance felt like an artist completely in his element.
Dominic Fike
I only caught the tail end of his set, but Dominic Fike’s voice was smooth and crisp. His decision to bring what appeared to be his baby on stage for the finale was a surprisingly sweet (and confusing) moment. Lolla’s Northwestern crowd was likely thrilled, given that it’s only been a mere three years since Fike headlined Dillo Day in 2022.
Sabrina Carpenter
A perfect closer for the weekend. Carpenter turned her set into a full‑scale show with skits, videos and playful, hilarious banter woven between hits like “Busy Woman,” “Manchild” and “Juno.” After bringing out classic Chicago band Earth, Wind & Fire for two songs (“September” included), she even sang “Don’t Smile” from a platform above the crowd before capping the night with fireworks during her smash hit “Espresso.”
Sadly, that’s a wrap for Lollapalooza 2025, and that’s only a fraction of what there is to discuss from the jam-packed four days. Here’s to spending the next year counting the days until one of the festival circuit’s and Chicago’s most coveted weekends. Only 353 left to go!
