Chicago’s Grant Park is once again preparing to transform into a sonic playground for music lovers across the globe. The 34th annual Lollapalooza Music Festival returns from Thursday, July 31 to Sunday, August 3, promising four days of genre-blurring performances, electric energy, and unforgettable moments. With a star-studded lineup featuring Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, The Creator, Sabrina Carpenter, Rüfüs Du Sol, Luke Combs, Twice, A$AP Rocky, Korn, Gracie Abrams, and Doechii headlining the main stages, this year’s festival is poised to be one of the most eclectic and exhilarating yet.
But with over 100,000 fans and eight stages packed with talent, navigating the musical maze can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated a list of eight must-watch artists—rising stars and cult favorites alike—to help you fine-tune your festival playlist and make the most of your Lolla experience. Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a first-time attendee, these acts deserve a spot on your radar before the gates open.
Thursday:
half•alive
When and Where: 3:45-4:45, Tito’s stage
Similar Artists: Bad Suns, almost monday, Wallows
Listen: ”Summerland,” “The Fall,” ”still feel.”
Since their breakout Gold-certified hit “still feel.”, half•alive has been evolving with each release. Composed of vocalist Josh Taylor, bassist J. Tyler Johnson, and drummer Brett Kramer, the Long Beach natives have become known for their incredible creative artistry and deeply conceptual musical approach. Fresh off their Persona World Tour, the band continues to captivate audiences with top-tier production, mesmerizing choreography, and inventive rearrangements of fan favorites. Their music doesn’t just play—it breathes, grows, and transforms with every performance and is one you shouldn’t miss.
Glass Beams
When and Where: 5:15-6:00pm, The Grove stage
Similar Artists: Khruangbin, BALTHVS, Arc De Soleil
Listen: “Mahal,” “Black Sand,” “Mirage”
Glass Beams is the musical project of Indian Australian producer Rajan Silva, founded in Melbourne during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group is known for its hypnotic and minimalist sound, blending Eastern and Western influences to create a unique mix of psychedelic rock, funk, and Indian-inspired instrumental music. Their 2021 debut EP, Mirage, quickly gained popularity – selling out their vinyls through social media and independent record stores. Following their rapid rise to fame, the band set out to tour internationally, including some festival appearances, performing Mirage alongside other unreleased music. In March 2024, they announced their follow-up EP, Mahal, which debuted at number five on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. With striking gold bejeweled masks and a distinct sound, Glass Beams promises to mesmerize their audience at Lollapalooza this year.
Friday:
Isabel LaRosa
When and Where: 2:00-2:45pm, Lakeshore stage
Similar Artists: Billie Eilish, Ari Abdul, Nessa Barrett
Listen: ”i’m yours,” “HAUNTED,” “older”
Isabel LaRosa’s rapid rise from her 2023 debut on the BMI stage to playing the Lakeshore Stage at this year’s Lollapalooza reflects two years of explosive growth and artistic evolution. The 20-year-old Annapolis native has notched over a billion Spotify streams and gone viral on TikTok with tracks like “HAUNTED,” showcasing her knack for striking emotional chords with dedicated fans. Her debut album Raven, released in April, marks a major milestone as she wraps up the Psychopomp tour at Lollapalooza. Joined onstage by her brother Thomas LaRosa, who also co-writes and co-produces her music, Isabel’s set is sure to be one of your favorites from the weekend.
Jane Remover
When and Where: 12:45-1:30pm, Bud Light stage
Similar Artists: 2hollis, ericdoa, glaive
Listen: “Dancing with your eyes closed”, “JRJRJR”, “Psychoboost (feat. Danny Brown)”
Chicago-based singer, songwriter, and producer Jane Remover is set to help kick off Friday at Lollapalooza with their genre-bending blend of hyperpop and digicore tunes. Known for experimental and emotionally charged music, Jane first gained attention in early 2020 when their solo release “what’s my age again?” went viral on Twitter. They followed it up with “homeswitcher,” which garnered over 100,000 streams on SoundCloud in just two weeks. Their musical journey has since evolved through different phases of EDM and trap production, and in 2021, Jane released their debut full-length album, Frailty, garnering enough attention to land on Pitchfork’s list for best albums of the year. Their most recent release, Revengeseekerz, pushes their sound further into digicore-EDM territory, signaling a new chapter for this rising star. With a growing fan base and upcoming plans to support Turnstile on their Never Enough Tour this fall, Jane Remover is ready to get the party started at the Bud Light stage.
Saturday:
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
When and Where: 3:45-4:45pm, Lakeshore stage
Similar Artists: Anderson Pak, Rawayana, AKRIILA
Listen: ”DUMBAI,” “#TETAS,” “BABY GANGSTA”
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, an electrifying experimental duo from Buenos Aires, fuse trap, hip-hop, EDM, and Latin pop into a sound that is as eccentric as it is distinctive. Childhood friends Catriel Guerreiro and Ulises Guerriero—better known as CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso—are renowned for genre-blurring performances rich in visual storytelling, live instrumentation, and theatrical flair. After their viral NPR Tiny Desk Concert introduced global audiences to tracks from their debut album Baño María, their momentum soared, culminating in a buzzworthy appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in April 2025. Their Fallon performance marked a major leap in their global journey, spotlighting their signature mix of musical experimentation, bold humor, and boundary-pushing creativity.
bôa
When and Where: 2:30-3:30pm, Bud Light stage
Similar Artists: The Cranberries, Radiohead, beabadoobee
Listen: “Duvet,” “Twilight,” “Elephant”
Alternative-rock band bôa will be delivering their signature indie shoegaze vibes to the Bud Light stage on Saturday afternoon. Formed in London in 1993, the band – currently composed of vocalist Jasmine Rodgers, guitarist Steve Rodgers, bassist Alex Caird, and drummer Lee Sullivan – originally started as a funk group before moving towards a more distinctive blend of alternative rock and dream-pop sounds. bôa is well known for their song “Duvet,” which was used as the theme for the iconic anime series Serial Experiments Lain, earning them a dedicated following among anime fans worldwide. The band released their debut U.S. album, Twilight, in 2001, followed by Get There in 2005, and after a nearly two-decade hiatus, bôa finally returned to the scene with their 2024 album, Whiplash. Due to a rich history of blending rock, indie, and shoegaze elements, the group continues to captivate listeners with their nostalgic and ever-evolving sound.
Sunday:
Joey Valence & Brae
When and Where: 5:15-6:00pm, The Grove stage
Similar Artists: Beastie Boys, BROCKHAMPTON, Tyler, The Creator
Listen: ”PUNK TACTICS,” “OK,” “WASSUP (feat. JPEGMAFIA)”
Joey Valence & Brae return to Lollapalooza this year with a much bigger stage and an even bolder sound. The Pennsylvania-based hip-hop duo, Joseph Bertolino and Braedan Lugue, first played Lollapalooza in 2022 with only ten live shows under their belt—but their throwback style, nodding to ‘80s and ‘90s hip-hop, quickly won fans over with tracks like “Punk Tactics” and “Hooligang.” Since their debut, they’ve toured with Sum 41 and The Interrupters, dropped their second album NO HANDS, and built a massive following—all while creating independently from Joey’s bedroom studio. With their third album HYPERYOUTH on the horizon (August 15), and new singles “LIVE RIGHT” and “WASSUP” with JPEGMAFIA already stirring excitement, their high-energy set promises to be a standout moment on The Grove stage.
BOYNEXTDOOR
When and Where: 2:15-3:15pm, Lakeshore Stage
Similar Artists: ZEROBASEONE, ENHYPEN, P1Harmony
Listen: “I Feel Good,” “Earth, Wind & Fire,” “If I Say, I Love You”
BOYNEXTDOOR is a K-pop group consisting of six members: Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan, and Woonhak. They debuted in May 2023 with the single “WHO!” and quickly became known for their “boy next door” image, offering approachable, dance-oriented pop music. The group blends various genres, including hip-hop and rock, resulting in catchy, energetic tracks that tell stories about love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Their 2024 EP, 19.99, sold over a million copies, and their 2025 single, “If I Say, I Love You,” continues to bring them even more international recognition. Thanks to their strong performances and relatable storytelling, BOYNEXTDOOR was notably named the first K-pop act to serve as global ambassadors for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, where they’ll perform at the opening ceremony this fall. Additionally, they are set to appear at Lollapalooza 2025, marking another significant milestone in their musical career. Eager fans, called ONEDOOR, can look forward to hearing some tracks from their latest release, No Genre, live on the Lakeshore stage.
Be sure to check out the official website for information about ticketing and the festival.
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