Lollapalooza 2025

Arrival at the Festival

I step out of the train, the warmth of summer weighing heavily on me. The distant thump of bass and the din of conversation of thousands of festival-goers envelop me. Lollapalooza 2025 is here, and I'm finally standing at the entrance, ticket in hand, ready to immerse myself for four straight days of non-stop music and thrill.

The festival grounds are gigantic—giant stages, colorful food stalls, and colorful art installations. People are already queued up at the large stage, anticipating the opening headlining set. As I push through the antsy crowd of humans, I find myself reminiscing about the legendary 2022 event, when Kygo delivered one of Lollapalooza's greatest sets. Could this year match that spell?

The Legendary Lineup

I pick up a festival schedule from a booth and glance at the lineup. The roster of performers is astounding:

• Olivia Rodrigo – Headlining Lollapalooza for the first time, delivering her number-one hits to the main stage.
• Sabrina Carpenter – Back after a phenomenal performance in 2023, now rising to headliner ranks.
• TWICE – Breaking records as the first all-female K-pop group to headline Lollapalooza.
• Tyler, The Creator – Back after an earlier cancellation, ensuring an electrifying performance.
• A$AP Rocky – Summoning his dynamic energy on stage.
• Korn – Returning to the Lollapalooza stage for the first time since 1997.
• Luke Combs – The first-ever country headliner in the festival's history, showcasing Lollapalooza's genre-bending diversity.
• Gracie Abrams – Trancing fans with her emotional songwriting.
• Doechii – Rising star in the hip-hop universe.
• Clairo – Transporting listeners with her indie-pop bangers.
• Djo – Musical alter ego of actor Joe Keery, bringing some new energy to the festival.
• Finneas – Genially talented multi-instrumental musician and producer.
• Magdalena Bay – Playing dance synths that open up the dance.
• Isaiah Rashad – Performing reflective soulful hip-hop.
• The Blessed Madonna – Playing up-beat dance favorites.
• Ravyn Lenae – Chicago-area R&B artist-songwriter.
• Bladee – Playing experimental sounds on the live stage.
• Kenny Mason – Merging rap with rock energy.
• Matt Champion – Solo since parting ways with Brockhampton.
• Rebecca Black – Evolved pop star from viral stardom.
• Sustained by Time – Experimental electronic sound.
• Dua Saleh – Boundary-pushing across genres to fuse R&B, rap, and more.
• Overmono – UK electronic duo serving dancefloor-friendly anthems.
• Xaviersobased – Up-and-coming artist with unique sound.
• Star Bandz – Emerging group with increasing profile.

Each artist brings something unique. But I couldn't help but think of Kygo. His performance in 2022 was like magic—the crowd, the music, the lights—it was the perfect storm. This year should be no different.

More Than Just Music

Lollapalooza is not all about the music. As I stroll through the festival grounds, I come upon food trucks offering gourmet burgers, vegan tacos, and a few other delicacies. I get a plate of nachos and sit down under the canopy of an art installation—a big, colorful mural where people are taking selfies.

Immersive surroundings can be found in interactive tents nearby, where fans may engage with brands, win prizes, and even encounter a few artists. I take part in a VR experience that enables me to feel what it's like to be performing onstage for thousands.

This reminds me of Kygo's 2022 performance—the way he wove together visuals and sound, and the multi-sensory experience that followed. It was not just a concert; it was an experience. Would any artist be able to recreate that this year?

The Magic of Live Performances

The sun goes down, and the festival lighting radiates on the darkening sky. The audience rush toward the main stage. Time for one of the headliners. The tension mounts, and I am as excited as I was in 2022.

The intro notes come in, and the crowd erupts. The lights on stage strobe in sync with the beat. The music of the artist washes over us, leading us into a trance. The graphics are incredible—fireworks, bright imagery, and flashes of color impeccably timed with the rhythm. It is like 2022 all over again, but somehow even better.

The beat builds up to the last drop, and the crowd erupts at once. Strangers become friends, all united through the beat. Such is the magic of Lollapalooza. Such is why we come back year after year.

The Last Minute

As the final beat fades, I'm left with gasps, aware that I just witnessed another legendary performance. Comparisons to 2022 will be myriad, but tonight, the artist proved lightning can strike twice.

Turning away from the stage, I take one last look about the festival grounds. Lollapalooza 2025 is a music festival, yes, but it's an experience, an memory, a moment in time. And I was here for it.