By: Lena Ginsberg
Lollapalooza celebrated its 20th birthday in Grant Park, Chicago this past August. With over 400,000 attendees and 170 artists, Lollapalooza is a staple summer festival for music lovers. Since there are so many artists spread across nine separate stages, it’s easy to miss some great performers. Here are my top five performances of Lollapalooza 2024.
1. Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan gained popularity over the past year after the release of her debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” and her performance at Coachella in 2023. Her wrestling-inspired set at Lollapalooza brought in the biggest crowd the festival had ever seen. The unwavering support of 110,000 people brought the artist to tears on stage. Another notable moment is when Chappell Roan hilariously ridiculed the VIP section for being “too cool” to dance to her hit song “HOT TO GO!“.
2. Hozier
Hozier took the world by storm a decade ago after releasing his song “Take Me To Church.” This year, the artist had a headlining spot in the Lollapalooza lineup after three summers performing at the festival. Hozier took time during his set to share his perspective on the Israel-Hamas war, calling for a ceasefire. This transitioned into the live debut of his new song “Nobody’s Soldier.” The skies opened up, and it downpoured onto the artist, adding to the emotional experience his music elicits.
3. Kesha
Kesha first came into the public eye in 2009 after the release of her hit single “TikTok”. During her Lollapalooza set, she played live guitar as she sang “Your Love Is My Drug”. While showcasing her many musical talents, she also showed her comedic side. Kesha used the viral meme of Vice President Kamala Harris saying “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” between songs in the middle of her set.
4. SZA
SZA is known for her heart-wrenching, passionate R&B style, and that is exactly what she delivered at Lollapalooza. She technically started in 2012 as an independent artist but gained further recognition after the release of her album “Ctrl.” SZA sings about heartache, self-worth, and everything in between, which makes it easy for fans to both relate to her and admire her. The Lollapalooza audience reportedly shed tears as they sang along to her song “Nobody Gets Me.”
5. Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion was a wild card headliner at this year’s Lollapalooza music festival. She was put in the lineup only after Tyler, The Creator, dropped out, but she did not disappoint. Megan Thee Stallion’s freestyle cipher over Drake’s song “4PM” in Calabasas went viral on social media in 2016, and she gained even more popularity after the release of her songs “Big Ole Freak” and “Hot Girl Summer.” Her fun, energy-filled Lollapalooza performance was sure to get people up on their feet, so much so that WNBA player Angel Reese joined her on stage to dance mid-set.
With over 170 artists featured at Lollapalooza, you are bound to find music you love. Did you miss it this year? Be the first to know about 2025 dates, lineup and tickets by signing up via text.