Every summer, locals and travelers await the exciting first weekend of August, otherwise known as Lollapalooza.
Lollapalooza began on July 18, 1991, in Phoenix, Arizona after musician Perry Farrell used it as a multi-city venue for his band, Jane’s Addictions’, final tour. Other bands that performed at this show include Living Colour, Henry Rollins Band, Fishbone, and Ice-T. Although the festival is big now, in the beginning there were only around 10,000 attendees.
The name, Lollapalooza, was taken by Farrell from a Three Stooges film because it meant “extraordinarily impressive.” This is what the festival became. The following year, the festival gained another stage and many more artists including but not limited to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ice Cube, Pearl Jam, and Jesus & Mary Chain.
As the years went by, the number of stages and attendees grew and it began to shorten the name to “Lolla.” There was a change in events from 1997 to 2003 when shows were canceled due to poor ticket sales and a lack of finding a suitable headliner, but the show’s luck changed in 2004 when Lollapalooza was revived and settled in Chicago.
This past summer’s Lollapalooza was massive, with around 400,000 people attending all four days. From 12 p.m.to 10 p.m. the weekend consisted of ninety degree heat, boxed water, food trucks, body glitter, and of course, music.
“My favorite show was Zedd,” junior Dylan Wright said. “The vibes were good and it was so cool.” Zedd was one of many DJs that made an appearance this year. His set included his popular song “Clarity” with an epic drone show to finish it off. Fisher, Its Murph, Xandra, and Skrillex took the stage alongside Zedd. “I had a great time at Fisher’s show,” senior Davin Rowe said. “It was at Perry’s stage– the whole thing was good.”
This year’s headliners ranged from rock to indie with artists such as The Killers, SZA, Stray Kids, and Hozier. Each stage’s audience became bigger than the last as the night went on. However, one artist in particular outshined them all: Chappell Roan. Recently rising to fame, Chappell Roan lit up the festival on the T Mobile stage. Her crowd was rumored to have been the biggest in Lollapalooza history with over 100,000 people and was one of the most memorable. Roan sang hits such as “Pink Pony Club,” “Femininomenon,” “Casual,” and “HOT TO GO!” She had audiences in awe.
Other musicians included TV Girl, Kesha, Labrinth, Conan Grey, Lizzy Mcalpine, Deftones, Tate McRea, Pierce The Veil, Faye Webster, Sexyy Red, Laufey, and Megan Morony. These artists were spread across the event from the Bud Light and Tito’s stages to Bacardi and Perry’s to T Mobile and IHG Hotels & Resorts by the South entrance. “Out of all four days it’s hard to choose a favorite artist,” senior Maya Khare said. “There were so many moments through Lollapalooza where I felt so much emotion and thrill.”
On another end, a show that disappointed many was Future x Metro Boomin. If you weren’t at The Killers, you were most likely in the crowd of these two popular rap artists. At the TV Girl show– lead singer Brad Petering started a rumor of the two artists bringing a special guest that “rhymes with lake.” Drake did not make an appearance, and neither did the headliners for very long. After arriving late, people were pressed up against the barricades waiting for what was expected to be one of the highlights of the weekend, only to be left standing still thinking, that was it? Yes, unfortunately it was.
On the final night of Lolla, the last headliner to take the stage was Blink-182. From flames to fireworks, the band came ready with energy and did the most. Opening with “Feeling This” from their self-titled album Blink-182 and ending with a thirty minute encore, it wasn’t a performance to miss. The crowd ranged from grown men to teenage girls with their hands all in the air together. Other songs performed include “Down,” “All the Small Things,” “The Rock Show,” “Bored to Death,” “ Miss You,” and “First Date.”
The music might be what attracts the crowds, but what keeps them going is the food and drinks provided to fuel. This year, the festival had food trucks from Broken English, Lou Malnati’s, Billy Goat tavern, and so much more. The trucks lined the park up and down and people were eating day to night on lawns and tables. “The food was all right,” Rowe said. Then, there is the one and only Dessert Island that floated just North of the main entrance. With treats from places such as Gabby’s Funnel Cakes, XO Marshmallow, Banato, and Chills Italian Ice. “The food was so good,” Wright said. “I loved Dessert Island. It was a ten out of ten.”
Like Coachella or Summerfest, fashion is a key part of the experience. It’s something discussed prior to the event and celebrated after. It allows the crowds to express themselves as individuals and come together in not only music taste, but style. “I love festival wear and use every festival to go full out with my outfits,” Khare said. “I could also totally see the influence of street wear this year on festival fits through jean shorts and jerseys. I absolutely loved the fashion this year!”
Lollapalooza comes with many highs and lows. From meeting new people and partying, to stolen phones and iPhone flashes in crowds, every year carries new surprises. “My experience overall was good and enjoyable,” Rowe said.
Although summer 2024’s Lollapalooza is now a bit over a month ago, the stories and enjoyment won’t go away and will only get more upscale as Chicago prepares for the next.
“Overall I am just so glad I went,” Wright said.
