Lollapalooza took over Chicago this past weekend, and it was amazing. The energy was fantastic, and the crowd was enormous. How about the clothing? In the best possible way, straight from a fever dream. Sparkle. Leather, neon and vintage t-shirts that managed to look expensive. Everyone arrived as if they were the main character. Many of them were.
Katseye didn’t just appear, they attacked. One year after their debut, the crowd had already grown to 85,000 people. This is more than simply a show, it was a legacy. Even though the girl group just debuted, it was the largest gathering ever recorded between 2 and 4 p.m. It was six women who performed like legends while training like winners.
Olivia Rodrigo did not simply headline Lolla, she made history. 115,000 people packed the night section to yell every lyric back at her. This is the largest crowd Lollapalooza has ever seen. Ever. She smashed Chappell Roan’s record like a breeze.
Our favorite moment? When she took her rings off mid-performance and yelled into the microphone that her Guts era was over? . Everyone felt the heat. The number three was printed on the rockstar’s t-shirt. No explanation, not a rollout. Feelings only. The internet is currently in a downward spiral. The third album will be released soon. The new era has already begun.
Dominic Fike made the most unexpected move of the weekend. “Please be quiet, there is a baby on stage,” was written on a sign that appeared during his performance. Fike had just successfully launched his father’s era. He sang “3 Nights,” then cradled a baby and changed timelines. We know nothing else: no name, backstory, or co-parent. It’s just the father, a microphone, and his child. Lolla became real.
During her Lollapalooza performance, Doechii didn’t waste any time. She made the kind of announcement that would send a crowd into a frenzy in the middle of the performance, between the shouts and the jumps. She announced that she’s going on tour. No PR tweets or videos with a lot of polish. Just her on stage, taking charge of the moment and giving her fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for. The energy shifted.
Tyler The Creator dominated the Lolla stage with a presence that defied time. He wasn’t just in his element when he performed “Don’t Tap the Glass” he was the element. Wearing everything in bright yellow, from the cap to the jacket that looked like it was taken from a Wes Anderson set, he turned the stage into his runway. Not to mention the accessories. The electric blue gloves, the enormous chain, and the confidence. The audience understood they were watching an artist who commands rather than performs because every movement was exact and every sentence had a punchline. Tyler is more than just a creator. He gives you a world.
A$AP Rocky ate more than anyone else on stage at Lollapalooza, even though he was dressed in gloves, sweatpants, pink hair rollers, plaid flannel, and the biggest smile you’ve ever seen. He appeared friendly, chaotic, and completely recognizable. He marched out with a megaphone like he were the main act at a festival and hosting a family reunion. The only person who could make curlers look fashionable was Rocky. The audience was fascinated and didn’t care if they were at a block party or on a runway.
A$AP Rocky had the best set at Lollaplooza 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yidLtlpea3
— HUN43RD (@Asapsandman) August 4, 2025
The kind of star power that keeps you listening until the very last song is how Sabrina Carpenter ended Lollapalooza. It was Sunday but he turnout could have been mistaken for a Friday night, and she had one of the weekend’s biggest crowds. As if her glitter, voice, and Barbie-centric attitude weren’t enough, she brought out Earth, Wind, & Fire. True legends with authentic culture. They were the surprise act, and preformed all the hits as though it were her sweet sixteen. Everyone went crazy.
Although she sang “Feather,” “Nonsense,” and “Espresso,” Juno was the one who really rocked the stage. The bridge struck like an unintended confession as she arrested girl group TWICE during the hit song; complete with handcuffs. She hit every note flawlessly, giving us voice, camp, and pop that left me clutching my chest. Lollapalooza wasn’t just shut down by Sabrina. She put an end to it. And she looked beautiful as she did it.
Lollapalooza ended with confetti, mayhem, and a happy crowd. This year’s show didn’t just deliver, it ate up with everything from record-breaking sets to surprising guests. The stages were filled with shouts, false arrests, debuts, and legends. Chicago provided us with history, passion, and heat. One thing became clear as Grant Park’s lights went down. There are big shoes for 2026 to fill.
Editorial Note: Portions of this article were reviewed and refined using AI-assisted editing tools to support grammar, clarity, and style. All content has been fact-checked and approved by our editorial team.
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