Lollapalooza 2025 Delivers Unique Memories for Every Music Fan
By Dennis M. Kelly –
I don’t know how they do it, but Lollapalooza always manages to top itself year after year. It is truly astounding!
But one thing in particular is always interesting to me. Everyone has different opinoins on what the best parts of this four-day festival were; there were so many this year though too that it would be completely understandable.
It could be something simple, such as just a great set from your favorite artist, the best time ever with your friends, or the many special guest appearances on artists’ sets. Or maybe fireworks, drone shows, helicopter props, and other big spectacles are your thing.
Either way, Lollapalooza continues to deliver year after year, exceeding expectations and providing a safe space to enjoy it all in Grant Park.
Having incredible weather all festival weekend long also helped, along with many more places to go to during the day for fun, new experiences, and photo ops with your friends.
This year marks my eighth Lollapalooza that I’ve personally attended, and this was, by far, the best. Sure, there were some artists I’d never heard of before coming here. But my musical world has now grown even wider with new favorites like Silly Goose, Sunami, Salute, and Flowerovlove, who brought a couple of fans up to the stage to experience the exhilaration of cheers from the crowd. It was beautiful, and her set was a lot of fun too.
It is by being open to these new sounds and experiences that we grow, and in that, Lollapalooza is the great facilitator, and then some. So, the old saying holds: your results may vary, and at Lollapalooza, everyone’s experience is unique.
I respect Lollapalooza’s commitment to diversity and was happy to see more South Korean artists in the lineup this year, with Xdinary Heroes and TWICE taking headlining spots. Imagine Your Korea booths were set up by the Korean Tourist Office for fans to learn more about Korean culture.
I appreciate Lollapalooza’s commitment to showcasing the many, many Chicago artists that were here this year. From Ratboys’ set on Bud Light to the Chicago Made Showcase on Tito’s Handmade Vodka stage to Chance The Rapper’s added-on 15-minute set and Star Bandz killing it on the BMI stage.
Then there was the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, also on Tito’s Handmade Vodka stage, and Uniting Voices Chicago choir making an appearance on DJO’s set.
Lastly, there was a pop-up performance at Buckingham Fountain for Chicago artists from the John Walt Foundation with Chicago’s Got Next, which featured Young(in), Fydele, Mike DFG, Moyana, Sierra Sikora, and Zia Jenaye.
Then there were more country artists like Sierra Ferrell, indie folk band Wild Rivers, and Luke Combs headlining the Bud Light stage.
And for those who want the heavier music, the aforementioned, Silly Goose, and Sunami were two heavy bands, and Korn headlined on the Bud Light stage.
Having this many genres all together in Grant Park made deciding who you’re going to see a lot easier. Like, Sunday night’s headliners, Sabrina Carpenter, verses Latin Mafia, verses A$ap Rocky. If you’re only into certain styles of music, the choices were made easier as to which stage you were going to be at.
What do you get when you buy Lollapalooza wristbands? Choices. Choices to do new things, to learn new things, to hear new music, and to share it all with good friends and/or new friends.
Of course, if you’re a night owl, the Lollapalooza aftershows always have you covered with two from Wednesday through Sunday at thirty beloved Chicago venues that tend to sell out quickly.
This has been the best Lollapalooza yet, there’s always something for everyone, no matter your age or interests. Missed it this year? make it a point to check it out next year!
Suggestion
Now, with the continued expansions this year at Lollapalooza, previously mentioned, Lollapalooza needs to inject some Chicago blues into the festival. Something like, Bud Light Backyard Blues has a nice ring to it, or let’s get some great blues on the Lakeshore stage for more young people to hear some of the music that makes Chicago great.
Links:
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