Lollapalooza’s flagship festival in Chicago is a unique experience for festival goers. While I usually attend only dance music festivals, I appreciated the variety of sounds at Lolla 2025. I was mostly at Perry’s stage (almost exclusively for DJs) to experience some of the best sounds in our favorite genre. From Martin Garrix to Dom Dolla to Two Friends to Knock2, there was something for everyone. Rüfüs Du Sol beautifully closed down the main stage on Saturday.
Outside of dance, headliners included Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler the Creator, Luke Combs, Twice, A$AP Rocky, Korn, Gracie Abrams, and Doechii.
Lollapalooza Chicago 2025 wasn’t just a music festival—it was a cultural statement. With a lineup that fused legacy acts, future legends, and underground innovators, it proved that Lolla still knows how to lead, not follow. At the end of my first day there, I was left feeling the Lolla Lovely energy.
Grant Park & Chicago
Lollapalooza is an incredibly special festival. You can really feel the whole city get behind this event and showcase Chicago at its best. I really like the daytime energy of the fest. Because it is all ages, parents bring their kids to try all the new food and visit Kidzapalooza. You will not find festivals as big as Lollapalooza having a dedicated area and stage for kids.
Grant Park is absolutely massive. Located right in the middle of Chicago, it is the perfect place for a 100,000+ attended venue. Walking the length of it the first time, you will be shocked by how big it is. With multiple entrances and exits, getting in is a breeze with bascially no wait time.
The Food and Experiences
There is more food than you can imagine, ranging from Asian cuisines to Birria Tacos to Chicago’s famous beef sandwiches and pizza. One of my favorite parts is the dedicated Desert Island. If you have a sugar tooth like me, you will love this section. Chow Town kept foodies fed with offerings ranging from deep-dish classics to plant-based innovation.
The vendors are a standout from any other festival I have been to. Most offer free food and drinks (as long as you’re willing to wait in line). The favorites I had were Bodega De Café Bustelo, Heinz Sauce Stop, Peace Tea’s Mad Peaceful World, Red Bull Dusty Disco, and Airbnb Haven.
The number of stages was quite impressive. Thanks to all the trees and space, there was no sound bleed at all, which I loved. The 8 stages all had their own sound to them, so you knew what you were getting. T-Mobile’s main stage had all the pop acts, Perry’s featured all the DJs, Bud Light had both rap and pop, Lakeshore rocked with heavy metal and rock, and The Grove had the crowd singing rock and country.
The Music and Headliners
As I said above, because of my love for dance music, I stuck to Perry’s Stage mostly. I was able to catch ISOXO, Tape B, Bunt., Dr.Fresch, Levity, Chase & Status, Marlon Hoffstadt, Sammy Virji, Gryffin, and of course Martin Garrix. Each of their sets was as electric as I have seen them.
ISOXO always leaves the dance floor enraged with energy. Dr.Fresch is known for his daytime uplifting at Lolla, and he did not miss a beat. Chase & Status brought their DnB across the pond and had the crowd dancing silly. Two Friends had a ridiculous drone show. I was amazed watching that from another stage and can only imagine what it felt like to be at Perry’s.
Gryffin played the perfect mix of heavy bass and his beautiful pop classics. He brought out a bunch of singers and, of course, his iconic guitar.
Garrix played the final set at Perry’s to a packed crowd and had everyone’s hands in the air singing to every record. He had laser galore that perfectly synced to each song. It was one of my favorite sets of his. Martin brought out Lauv for their new song ‘MAD’. He played an array of heavy IDs and closed on his latest track with Alesso ‘Inside Our Hearts.’
My favorite set of the weekend came from Rüfüs Du Sol who closed the main stage Saturday night. This was my first time seeing them live, and I can’t wait to see them again. I heard amazing things for years, and they lived up to all the hype. They sounded exactly (and better) like they do on Spotify. Their most famous songs ‘You Were Right’, ‘Music Is Better’, and the amazing ending with ‘Innerbloom’. The fireworks show with that playing was a moment I will never forget.
Lollapalooza simply does everything right for its attendees. It is seamlessly run and not overcrowded for being sold out. Lolla shows off Chicago at its finest, and I will be back. It is no surprise that this brand has expanded all over the world. Stay Lovely Lolla!
