Claire Rosinkranz Brings the Sunshine at Lollapalooza Day Two
Interview by Shawna O’Hara, Editor – Photo by Dennis M. Kelly
22-year-old songbird Claire Rosinkranz appeared at Lollapalooza for the second time since she turned 18 when she appeared on the Allianz stage early Friday afternoon.
The “Backyard Boy” singer delighted fans with her sunny disposition and catalog of sweet but deeply personal music. Nestled between upbeat songs was Rosinkranz’s most honest “Chronic”, which received acclaim from the Allianz crowd, proving that both she and her music had matured considerably since her 2022 debut at the festival.
Chicago Music Guide’s Editor, Shawna O’Hara, sat down with Rosinkranz after her dreamy, hook-filled set.
CMG: You first played Lollapalooza in 2022. If that version of Claire could see you coming back now, what would surprise her most?
Rosinkranz: The younger I was, the more confidence I had. When I was young, well, younger, I had the most pure form of drive and dreams. That was the most pure form of my passion; I would want to speak to her about how to keep that. I want to feel that again. I think she’d be really happy that I’m still performing.
CMG: Coming up in the age of social media, that’s going to boost your audience. How did that shape your career to get you to where you are now?
Rosinkranz: It has done basically everything for me. It’s a weird machine. That’s how it all started for me, and I started seeing incredible momentum when I dropped my first project, so I’m really thankful for it, but I also don’t want to be completely controlled by it. It is a beast, and it will eat you alive.
CMG: Your music has playful elements, and it can feel playful despite the very complicated emotions underneath it. Does that playfulness, the humor, the fun help you tell the truth in your stories more? How does that factor in?
Rosinkranz: I can be very bubbly and drop a bomb. I think a lot of people do that to avoid the vulnerability of truth sometimes. Although I like the contrast of bubbly with the truth of difficult things. Also, I think moving forward, I still want to be bubbly, and that’s a really true part of me as well, but I’m learning how to be completely honest.
CMG: Chronic got a great reception today. It’s great to have you speaking out about chronic illness. Now that you have this platform, is this something you feel passionate about spreading the word for, especially for women?
Rosinkranz: I’ve gone on a journey with my health, and it’s still incredibly confusing, unfortunately. It feels impossible, especially for women, the amount of appointments, useless appointments that I’ve gone to for my health is just terrible—also providing hope through my music. Chronic illness feels incredibly helpless and discouraging. It can keep you from doing all the things that make you feel like yourself. I want all my music to make people feel seen. I love writing and being able to capture that for other people who are going through the same thing.
CMG: Is there a woman in your life or in music who has influenced you more than anyone else in terms of life or music?
Rosinkranz: There are so many. My grandma was an opera singer. She is a very powerful woman. She raised my dad, who is a really big part of my music, and his sister as a single mother, and she’s just a powerhouse. She’s my biggest hype woman ever. She’s an angel. She’s a diva. Of course my mom. She is one of the most grounding forces in my life, and she holds me down into my roots at all times.
CMG: Now that you’ve performed, who are you looking forward to seeing at Lollapalooza?
Rosinkranz: Turnstile. I have to see Turnstile. I think they’re playing tomorrow (Saturday).
CMG: They’re slated for Sunday!
Rosinkranz: Sunday…even better! I’ll be there.
CMG: You mentioned your dad. You work together; have you two ever had any crazy father-daughter or artistic differences?
Rosinkranz: Absolutely. Maybe not as much lately, but I get really hyper-sensitive in the studio; everything is really tense for me. So, props to him. He’s done a very good job at giving me the space to speak and be honest. There were definitely times, especially when I was younger, that we’d have an artistic disagreement. I would say, “Okay, I’m not talking to you.” (Laughs), but we both love making music, so that would bring us back together.
CMG: Is there a song or any pre-performance ritual that you need before you go onstage?
Rosinkranz: Anything by Norah Jones; that’s a very grounding artist. I would listen to her when I was super little—or classical music.
CMG: As you came up so young, what’s your advice to other women who want to get involved in the industry that is so male-dominated?
Rosinkranz: Be as honest as you possibly can. Don’t write from other people’s perspectives. If you want to be relatable, you have to tap into what is true and honest. And it’s hard to be honest; I have a hard time being honest with myself. You can do whatever you want. That’s the beautiful thing about music: you can do whatever you want. So, don’t let anything else tell you you can’t do this, you can’t do that. You can do whatever you want.
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Tour Dates:
Sep 18, 2026 – Abercrombie – The Challenge – New Albany, OH
Oct 4, 2026 – Austin City Limits Music Festival – Austin, TX
Oct 6, 2026 – House of Blues – Bronze Peacock – Houston, TX
Oct 9, 2026 – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall – Dallas, TX
Oct 11, 2026 – Austin City Limits Music Festival – Austin, TX
Links:
Official: https://clairerosinkranz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clairerosinkraz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairerosinkranz
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clairerosinkranz
Lollapalooza:
Official: http://www.lollapalooza.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lollapalooza
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lollapalooza/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lollapalooza