Chicago’s Grant Park once again became the center of the music world last weekend as Lollapalooza Music Festival welcomed fans from across the globe for four days of live music, surprise collaborations, and festival-first milestones. While persistent rain turned much of the grounds into a muddy playground, it did little to dampen the spirits of festivalgoers, who embraced the conditions and packed the park from start to finish. With more than 100 artists performing across eight iconic stages, this year’s lineup spanned rock, EDM, pop, hip-hop, K-pop, and P-pop.
Among the festival’s biggest highlights were Lorde reuniting with Charli xcx, hometown heroes The Smashing Pumpkins bringing out Olivia Rodrigo, sombr featuring 5 Seconds of Summer, and SB19 becoming the first Filipino group to perform at Lollapalooza. Fans also packed stages for artists like JENNIE, Zara Larsson, Turnstile, Ado, and The xx, proving that plenty of rain – and even more mud – wasn’t enough to stop the party, as Lollapalooza 2026 closed out another memorable year of standout performances, unexpected collaborations, and fans who made the most of every moment.
THURSDAY
Under the hot afternoon sun, SB19 delivered a powerful showcase of global artistry at Lollapalooza, performing for a crowd filled with fans waving Philippine flags and celebrating the group’s international rise. Following a high-energy opening routine from their backup dancers, members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin emerged to thunderous cheers before launching into “DAM,” immediately highlighting the vocals, choreography, and performance skills that have made them one of the Philippines’ biggest acts. “Lollapalooza! It’s our first time here, hopefully won’t be our last!” the group shared, setting the stage for a set that balanced explosive performances with emotional moments. During “MAPA,” SB19 delivered a heartfelt performance that resonated across languages, allowing fans to connect with the song’s message of finding your way home. They continued with tracks like “Wakas” and “VISA” before debuting “LAWLESS” live for the first time and welcoming Chicago’s own Benny the Bull for a surprise appearance during “Dungka!,” where the mascot joined into the group’s choreography. Closing with “Crimzone,” SB19 left a lasting impression with a festival performance that reflected both their artistry and the global community they have built through their music.
5 Seconds of Summer brought their decade-long journey to Lollapalooza on Thursday afternoon, transforming their set into a four-act showcase of the eras that have defined the band’s career. Following a cinematic opening video, the group launched into “NOT OK,” commanding a massive crowd as live feeds and punk-inspired visuals filled the screens behind them. The performance moved seamlessly between fan favorites like “Teeth” and “She’s Kinda Hot,” and incorporated tracks from their latest album, Everyone’s A Star!, with humorous videos connecting each chapter of the show. During the “Real Fans Save Bands” segment, the band left the main stage for elevated platforms in the middle of the crowd, delivering a more intimate performance of “Telephone Busy” before returning for a fan-wide call and response during “Everyone’s A Star.” One of the set’s most striking moments came with “Amnesia,” when the group swapped their massive production for acoustic guitars, creating a stripped-back moment of nostalgia. They quickly shifted back into high-energy mode with a rock-inspired cover of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” before closing with “Youngblood,” sending fans into a thunderous singalong. Reflecting on their path from Australia to Lollapalooza’s stage, 5SOS used the performance to celebrate how far they’ve come while honoring the fans who have stood by them throughout the years.
The last year of singer-songwriter Audrey Hobert’s life has been nothing short of remarkable. Once best known for her songwriting credits on Gracie Abrams’ last record, Hobert made her Lollapalooza debut on Thursday to a massive audience of fans hanging on to every word from her 2025 LP Who’s The Clown? Though the set was nearly identical to that of her headlining tour, Hobert’s hourlong slot boasted her quirky charm and preternatural gift for penning crushingly honest songs sealed with a smirk. Mini trampolines, groucho glasses, and roses rotated as props while Hobert performed the entirety of her debut LP and an unreleased track. Rarely does an artist emerge fully formed with the true creative merits to back up their star. Yet, Hobert’s performance proved that she is exactly that.
Lorde returned to Lollapalooza’s mainstage Thursday night for a headlining spot nearly a decade after her 2017 set got cut after just two songs due to weather. Her return to Chicago’s biggest festival stage was nothing short of transcendent, complete with floating set pieces, an LED laser-encrusted jacket, and a surprise appearance from fellow headliner Charli xcx to perform the duo’s “Girl so confusing” remix. Adapting her 2025 Ultrasound tour setlist, she performed a blend of hits and fan-favorites including “Hard Feelings,” “The Louvre,” and “Supercut” from 2017’s Melodrama. The final three-track run of “Green Light,” “David,” and “Ribs” was pure cathartic bliss that capped off Lorde’s onstage contemplations expressed earlier in her set, encouraging her audience to ask themselves, “are you acting trapped or are you acting free” in their lives. As she danced on the b-stage and let the final notes of “Ribs” ring out across Grant Park, it’s safe to say that the nearly 100,000 attendees were acting nothing but free.
FRIDAY
Eight years after releasing her first single “BFF” and seven since her song “Mine” became a Twitter-fueled instant classic, Slayyyter made her long-overdue Lollapalooza debut on Friday afternoon. Outfitted in custom fish-bait-adorned shorts and a corseted flannel shirt, her set exclusively captured songs from her latest record WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA, which literally and metaphorically launched her onto pop’s mainstage at long last earlier this year. Slayyyter’s 45 minutes onstage was a surreal celebration for those loyal fans she first earned online just shy of a decade ago. Her long blonde curls blew gracefully in the wind as she delivered high-octane cuts like “CRANK” and “YES GODDD,” before delivering the one-two punch of the newly released “brand new chanel$” and WGIA lead single “BEAT UP CHANEL$” as a finisher. Though her set was nothing but amped-up gritty pop bliss, there was something immensely moving about seeing Slayyyter finally get the adoration she has so long deserved.
Finn Wolfhard made a memorable solo festival debut on the Airbnb Stage, drawing a sizable crowd for a cozy afternoon set that proved he’s more than just a familiar face from Hollywood. Backed by a six-piece band, Wolfhard brought upbeat energy as he played guitar and worked through songs from his recent release, Fire From The Hip. He opened with the carefree “I’ll Let You Finish” before weaving through indie-folk rock originals, including “Nice to Meet You Again,” “Common Side Effects,” and “Trailers After Dark.” A defining moment of the set came during “Tunnels,” when a sudden downpour left Wolfhard and the audience completely drenched. Rather than disrupting the performance, the rain heightened the emotion of the song as if it was scripted into the show. The moody performance served as a charming introduction to Wolfhard’s solo career for many festivalgoers.
Pop-punk had a strong showing at this year’s Lollapalooza, with The Story So Far proving exactly why they’ve remained one of the genre’s defining acts for nearly two decades. The Walnut Creek, California, band brought a career-spanning set to Lollapalooza, blending early favorites like “Quicksand,” “High Regard,” and “Things I Can’t Change” with newer material from 2024’s I Want To Disappear, including “Big Blind,” “Watch You Go,” and “Letterman.” Since forming in 2007, The Story So Far have become a driving force in pop-punk, building a loyal fanbase through their emotionally charged songwriting and high-energy performances. Their Lollapalooza appearance comes during a packed year of milestone performances, including multiple Vans Warped Tour dates, upcoming festival appearances at Outside Lands and Aftershock, and a fall North American tour with The Starting Line. Their performance was a standout moment for pop-punk at this year’s Lollapalooza, showcasing the band’s staying power while proving the genre continues to thrive on festival stages.
Charli xcx drew a massive crowd with a headlining performance that blurred the line between a rock concert and a full-scale dance party. Opening with a dramatic display of pyro, strobes, and a dark industrial setup featuring a cage wall, her silhouette flashed across the stage during the repeated phrase, “Oblivion is freedom.” Launching into “Rock Music” from her newly released album Music, Fashion, Film, Charli xcx immediately established the bold visuals, choreography, and nonstop intensity that defined the set. She moved through highlights spanning her career, from “Apple,” “Card Declined,” and “I Blame It On Your Love,” to “Pink Diamond,” and “360,” balancing explosive dance moments with more intimate interactions as fans sang along to every word. The performance reached its peak when a sudden downpour arrived during “House,” amplifying the song’s dramatic production and transforming the stage into an unforgettable scene. Throughout the night, Charli returned to the extended catwalk with her dancers, bringing the spectacle closer to fans as the crowd celebrated songs from across her catalog. Closing with “No One Lasts Forever,” she stood center stage surrounded by her dancers as the phrases “Oblivion is freedom” and “No one lasts forever” echoed across the festival grounds, capping off a headlining performance that embodies the fearless spirit of her latest era.
SATURDAY
CORTIS turned their Lollapalooza debut into one of the weekend’s biggest breakout moments, arriving at the T-Mobile Stage just one day after a sold-out after show at House of Blues. Following an energetic opening set from DJ anklesandwich, chants of “CORTIS!” echoed throughout the park as the five-member South Korean group launched into “GO!” and kicked off an explosive 11-song performance. The group maintained that momentum throughout the set, pairing sharp choreography on “REDRED” with massive crowd interactions during “Joyride” and a fanbase that sang along to nearly every lyric. Midway through the performance, CORTIS surprised festivalgoers by welcoming Juicy J for the live debut of their collaboration track, “MOTION,” before taking their connection with fans even further during “TNT,” when each member made their way to the barricade to sing and interact with the crowd. Closing with their signature track “FaSHioN,” CORTIS thanked fans for braving the rainy afternoon, capping off a standout debut that reflected the group’s growing influence and ability to command a festival stage.
Reduced to just 30 minutes due to weather delays, Wolf Alice’s Saturday afternoon set on the Bud Light stage packed an eight-song rock punch. The English four-piece took to the stage for a short-yet-sweet performance that both laid bare their alt-pop abilities and their true rockstar ambitions, with lead singer Ellie Rowsell dousing herself with water and whipping her umber-colored locks around with ferociousness. “Wild Horses” and “The Sofa” from the group’s 2025 LP The Clearing were among the highlights, but nothing can quite hold a candle to the flame of the band’s tender and heart-wrenching single “Don’t Delete The Kisses,” which closed out the group’s brief time onstage. Despite the delays and rescheduling, Wolf Alice made the most of their 30 minutes onstage (even if they deserved a later set time closer to headliner).
bbno$ brought one of the weekend’s most unpredictable performances to the Tito’s Stage, transforming his set into a circus-inspired spectacle filled with absurdity, humor, and nonstop surprises. Complete with hula-hoop performers, clowns, acrobats, and a planking man, the performance felt less like a traditional festival set and more like stepping into a musical funhouse. Backed by Disco Dan and Jungle Bobby, bbno$ moved through a packed set of fan favorites, including “edamame” and “lalala,” as the crowd danced along and shouted back every lyric. The theatrics continued with a playful bit about renaming Lollapalooza, followed by a surprise appearance from Space Jam’s Lola Bunny that ended with bbno$ taking a pie to the face. The rapper then brought out Yung Gravy for a massive crowd reaction, performing “C’est La Vie” and “Betty (Get Money)” together before closing out a set defined by humor, creativity, and his larger-than-life personality.
Closing out the Bud Light Stage, JENNIE delivered a cinematic set that showcased the full scale of her solo artistry. Emerging through the floor surrounded by pyrotechnics, striking visuals, and a live band, she launched into a rock-inspired opening that immediately established the ambition of her performance. Throughout the night, JENNIE balanced precise choreography with more intimate moments, moving through fan favorites like “Mantra,” “Handlebars,” and “Less Than A Lover,” while introducing new material through the live debuts of “Fallen Angel” and “Lock It Down.” The show continued to evolve with dramatic outfit changes, creative stage elements, and a rotating lineup of dancers who amplified each chapter of the performance. Standout moments included the disco-inspired visuals of her Tame Impala collaboration “Dracula,” the emotional delivery of unreleased track “Heaven,” and a massive crowd singalong during “Like JENNIE,” which closed the night with roaring guitars and flawless choreography. From the opening reveal to her final bow, JENNIE transformed the stage into a showcase of her evolution as a solo artist while giving fans a performance that felt both meticulously crafted and genuinely delivered.
SUNDAY
Opening the Bud Light Stage on Sunday afternoon, WHATMORE introduced festivalgoers to their genre-blurring sound with a set that showcased the chemistry and creativity behind one of New York’s most exciting emerging acts. Formed in 2024 by classmates at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art, the five-piece has quickly gained momentum with their self-titled debut album, a tour with Laundry Day, and appearances at festivals including Coachella and Governors Ball. Comprised of Cisco Swank, Yoshi T., Jackson August, Sebastiano, and Elijah Judah, the group brought their mix of hip-hop, jazz, alternative, and indie influences to the stage with performances of “Chicken Shop Date,” “Mii MUSIC,” “Jenny’s,” and “Still Loiteringgg.” Throughout the set, WHATMORE’s natural chemistry and appreciation for the crowd were on full display, highlighting the genre-defying sound that has quickly made them one of New York’s most promising new acts.
Every now and then, a star comes along with so much promise indescribable je ne sais quoi that it’s impossible to look away. Adéla’s afternoon performance on Lollapalooza’s mainstage was a gift from the pop gods that put the ballerina-turned-pop-star’s undeniable talents center stage. Adéla has come far in the two years since Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE premiered on Netflix, in which she was in competition for a spot in the show’s namesake girl group. Now, it seems that her elimination from the show was perhaps the best redirection a girl could dream of, as such unbridled star power deserves to shine on its own. Performing alongside six backup dancers in an airtight choreographed 45-minute set, Adéla delivered an unforgettable Lollapalooza debut that reworked songs like “SexOnTheBeat” and “Superscar” and unveiled two unreleased tracks “Boys” and “Marijuana” from her forthcoming debut LP PRIMA, due next month. Complete with ballet dancing, razor-sharp choreography, and a stage presence on par with the pop greats, Adéla’s set was one of, if not the, defining sets of the festival’s final day.
JADE, the former Little Mix member and now arguably the most creatively compelling of the now-disbanded group, took over golden hour on Sunday with a show dripping in pop psychedelia. In just an hour’s time, JADE took fans through the emotional highs and lows of her 2025 solo debut THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! like an expert (which should come as no surprise granted her girl group tenure). Complete with a proclamation of her love for the LGBTQ+ community and a medley of Little Mix hits sure to make any child of the 2010’s teary, her time onstage rounded out a pop-forward weekend with numbers of the purest and most trippy kind.
Turnstile brought a high-energy sunset performance to Lollapalooza, quickly turning the crowd into a mix of mosh pits, crowd surfers, and headbangers. Opening with “NEVER ENOUGH,” the band had fans moving immediately as circle pits formed throughout the audience. Front-man Brendan Yates strengthened that connection by jumping into the crowd to sing “ENDLESS” from the barricade, with fans grabbing the mic to scream the lyrics alongside him. After introducing the band, Yates told the crowd, “Let’s dance together,” setting the tone for a set centered around audience interaction. The energy continued throughout the evening, with young fans featured on the big screens and cameras capturing crowd surfers in the pit. Turnstile balanced heavier moments with dynamic performances, including Yates joining on keys during “SOLE” and an extended instrumental intro before “HOLIDAY.” During “LOOK OUT FOR ME,” the crowd shifted from thrashing to calmly bouncing together. The band returned for a short encore that reignited the pits before Yates closed the night with one final crowd surf. Alongside sets from Hot Mulligan and The Story So Far, Turnstile’s performance reflected Lollapalooza’s renewed embrace of pop-punk and alternative rock, bringing a fresh wave of crowd-driven energy to this year’s lineup.
FINAL THOUGHTS
From surprise collaborations to unforgettable fan moments, Lollapalooza 2026 proved that the festival’s magic often comes from what can’t be planned. While the rain created plenty of challenges, it also became part of the experience; fans embraced the mud, delays, and unpredictable conditions with lots of humor and enthusiasm. Beyond the stages, the festival continued to offer new ways for attendees to engage, from immersive brand activations and customization stations to interactive experiences like the Motorola Razr Ferris Wheel and Coca-Cola’s Roller Rink. Some of the weekend’s biggest surprises also came away from the main stages, with intimate performances by artists such as AVELLO, Kim Theory, Love Spells, Villanelle, and The Bends at the Bud Light Backyard, SiriusXM Bonus Tracks Stage, and Toyota Music Den giving artists the chance to create special moments with smaller crowds. After four days of music, surprises, and shared memories, Lollapalooza once again proved that its lasting impact comes not just from the artists who take the stages, but from the unforgettable moments created between them.
Check out our festival highlights below:
Photo credits in captions. // Photos and portraits by Ann Storlie for Melodic Magazine.
Words by Ann Storlie, Avery Heeringa, and Sarah Peter.
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