Lollapalooza 2025 gave us everything: Chicago weather, skyline sunsets, surprise collabs, and most importantly a fresh wave of rising artists who made their mark across its sprawling stages. While the headliners dominated headlines, it was the undercard and Grove Stage discoveries that had fans sprinting between sets, whispering “who was that?” and curating playlists on the fly.
We’ve rounded up ten artists who left an impact after the weekend was over. From genre-defying crooners to synth-fueled visionaries, these performers proved they’re now. If you want to listen to/experience these artists, you will find them on major streaming platforms. Also, many of them come with copyright free music.
1. Ravyn Lenae
Like a lucid dream floating over the skyline, Ravyn Lenae’s Chicago homecoming was steeped in rich, genre-bending emotion. Her first-ever Lollapalooza set (on the Lakeshore Stage, Friday, Aug 1) showcased Bird’s Eye tracks including “Love Me Not” and “Dream Girl,” and marked her triumphant hometown return. Blending R&B, soul, and electro-jazz, she captivated the crowd. Not just a hometown favorite, Lenae is a festival MVP in the making.
2. Mk.gee
One of the weekend’s best-kept secrets until now, Mk.gee delivered a standout late-night set at The Grove on Saturday night, performing key tracks from his 2024 debut album Two Star & the Dream Police, including “Over Here,”. His sound filled with lo-fi, psych-pop, guitar-forward, yet genre-agnostic definitely bent space and time. Already a critical favorite, his set solidified him as one of the most inventive young artists working today.
3. Clairo
Clairo’s Saturday slot shimmered with quiet brilliance on the Bud Light Stage. Her whispery vocals and soft-focus instrumentation washed over fans, grounding them in emotion amid the chaos. With her third album on the horizon, she’s maturing into a defining voice of alt-pop’s inward turn.
4. The Dare
If you wanted to dance, The Dare made sure you moved. His Friday set at The Grove was a fever dream of dance-punk attitude and underground New York cool. Think LCD Soundsystem meets hyperpop with a strobe light. He’s redefining what DIY means in a post-TikTok world.
5. Bo Staloch
One of the most talked-about hidden gems from Lollapalooza 2025 was Bo Staloch, whose intimate set proved that vulnerability can be just as powerful as pyrotechnics. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter blends lo-fi production with raw storytelling. As streaming numbers quietly build and buzz spreads from his live performance, Bo Staloch is shaping up to be an indie artist to watch closely in the coming year.
6. Katseye
KATSEYE may have been a new name to some on the Lollapalooza 2025 lineup, but after their electrifying performance, it’s clear they’re making a wave of their own. With their debut album reportedly in the works, their 2nd Mini Album BEAUTIFUL CHOAS just released, and a growing international fanbase already behind them, KATSEYE is poised for a breakout moment far beyond the Lolla stage.
7. Magdalena Bay
Retro-futuristic and wildly fun, Magdalena Bay kicked off Thursday evening on the T‑Mobile Stage turning the stage into a time-traveling dance floor. Mixing dreamy visuals with disco beats and surrealist lyrics, their synth-pop set was one of the weekend’s best vibes. Catch them now before they’re soundtracking every indie film of 2026.
8. Djo
Joe Keery of Stranger Things fame brought serious artistry to the festival as Djo. His Friday performance eclosed out Friday’s alternative programming on the T‑Mobile Stage was a psych-rock, synth-glazed trip full of warped visuals, philosophical lyrics, and actual music chops. Djo has shaken off the “actor who sings” label as he’s a genuine contender in alt-pop.
9. Wallows
Wallows continues to evolve beyond their early indie rock sound. Their energetic Friday set was full of singalongs, new arrangements, and nods to their grungier roots. With a new album in the works and major momentum behind them, the trio is solidifying their place in the modern alt-rock canon.
10. Bleachers
Jack Antonoff brought his full band, Bleachers, (and a saxophone section) to deliver a cathartic, Springsteen-meets-Gen-Z set on Friday night, following their Official 2025 Aftershow show performance on Thursday night. With every member of Bleacher’s heart-on-their-sleeve brand of synth-rock brought both nostalgia and fresh emotional intensity, reminding everyone why Bleachers remain one of the most beloved acts in alternative music.
Lollapalooza 2025 showcased the future of music. These ten artists delivered sets that were raw, genreless, high-concept, and emotionally resonant. Whether you’re craving synthwave nostalgia, dance-punk chaos, or soul-searching slow burns, this year’s undercard was stacked with breakout moments.
Being next in line isn’t about virality. it’s about consistency, connection, and delivering when the pressure’s on. These artists didn’t just play Lolla. They leveled up.
Start building your fall playlists. Because by 2026? These names won’t be tucked in the small font, they’ll be commanding the top lines of every major festival poster.
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