RH Review: The Lollapalooza Experience (2018)

After a long four-day weekend of countless live acts, underground after parties, and spending over a hundred dollars in Uber’s; it feels great to be in the AC recapping the Lollapalooza experience.

Arriving early on Thursday to see Valee was the perfect way to start off the festival. The energy during “Two 16’s” was insane. One person, who looked about 17, was screaming every lyric directly in my ear. If I wasn’t sure about the lyrics, I certainly am now. Also the photo below is legendary.

After helping tear down the temporary studio set up hosted by Closed Sessions at SoHo House, I found my way to the front of the Bud Light stage to see Travis Scott. With his new album Astroworld dropping an hour after his performance, the crowd was ridiculous. I had a difficult time recording any of the show due to the mosh pits.

Tyler The Creator and Post Malone were two notable acts on Friday. Post Malone receives a lot of hate in the hip-hop community, but his set was much better than expected. His voice sounded strong and it felt like the entire audience knew every word during his performance. I added a clip from Tyler The Creator’s set below to give an idea of the audience.

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Saturday was the least exciting day for me. I missed Femdot from sleeping in too long. Other than LL Cool J, the other acts I saw were disappointing. Lil Pump found a way to be worse than my already low expectations. GoldLink sounded as if he didn’t have enough material for an entire hour. The energy of the festival was redeemed during Hippie Sabotage’s performance at their after party. The two brothers from Sacramento killed it.

The final day ended strong. Knox Fortune had the most intimate show of the weekend. Their crowd was also the most mature I saw all weekend, with the median age above 18 for the first time. Lil Uzi Vert is a rock star. To think about seeing him at the Metro just two years ago, to playing at the main stage at Lolla is crazy. The crowd loved him.

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All in all, the weekend was a success. It’s almost hard to believe Lolla is over.


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[Review] Lollapalooza celebrates 25 anniversary in a big way

The Chicago staple of music festival excellence brought forth yet another unforgettable weekend of music and stellar performances. Lollapalooza celebrating it’s 25th anniversary in the biggest way possible. Extending the festival to four days created a marathon of incredible musical moments.

Lollapalooza had many highlights that came from inside and outside the music festival. Chicago transformed from the city with broad shoulders into, during for the four-day festival, music mecca.

The first two days had rain showers that spanned over a few hours. The temporary muggy start didn’t effect the mega celebration of the 25th anniversary. In fact, the only set backs to the festival were the uncontrollable rain and that the festival is already over.

Over the years Lolla grew not only in size but it also grew in multiple genres. It first started as an alternative rock festival in 1991 as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction. Now with over 170 acts and an extended four-day festival, Lollapalooza provided many history making moments.

It was announced by Lollapalooza that next year’s music festival will also be a 4 day festival.

Marketing-Beauty by Maclay Heriot_17317

Thursday, July 28 (Day 1)

Lollapalooza fixed up this problem from past years. The clear winner to the first night was hip-hop. Hip-hop actually had a deeper impact throughout the festival but it made a bold statement the first night with performances from Chicago’s own Towkio, G-Eazy, and J. Cole. Danny Brown also gained many fans with his energetic performance. Towkio brought out Chicago’s Joey Purp and Vic Mensa in a complete Chicago music takeover. Towkio from sneaking into Lollapalooza before his musical break to now setting the stage definitely was a crowd pleasure.

Another Chicago artist made headlines closing off the Perry’s stage this time from the electronic music duo Flosstradamus. They didn’t disappoint bringing their signature non-stop thrill ride of electric beats. They also brought out surprise guest Chance The Rapper, Michelle Williams, and Dwyane Wade.

From “Wet Dreamz” to “Work Out”, J. Cole stole the show with non-stop performance of hit after hit. With no back track, fans matched Cole jumping and rapping along with the Dreamville rapper. It’s important to note that Cole was the only rapper to close off the Samsung stage throughout the weekend. The others were Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and LCD Soundsystem. The biggest stage at Lollapalooza was the perfect fit for J. Cole’s unforgettable set.


Lollapalooza

Five reasons why we're hyped for Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza, Chicago's biggest music festival, is just around the corner! Celebrating it's 25th anniversary there are dozens of reasons why to be hyped this years Lolla.

Lolla first announced an additional day to the usual three festival day festival making it four days of unforgettable unstop action. That additional day adds a rooster of incredible acts that will take from Chicago July 28 – 30.

Below is a list of just five reason why Lolla is controlling our life’s with anticipation.

G Eazy
G-Eazy at the Aargon Ballroom. Photo: Jesus J. Montero

Crowd favorites

Lollapalooza brings out the best artist to Chicago. Many artists return from last year’s music festival because of their continuing growth in popularity from last year. Returning artist like G-Eazy and Halsey are the faces of a young generation of music lovers.

Performers like J Cole and Red Hot Chili Peppers are highly anticipated because of deep fan base.

Vic Mensa
Vic Mensa in Chicago. Photo by Jesus J. Montero

Chicago’s own heavyweights

Last year’s Lollapalooza was solid with a mixture of pop, rock, and electric music. Something that was lacking a bit was the hip-hop and rap performers. Chicago’s own homegrown talent Saba, Towkio, Joey Purp, and Vic Mensa has us covered this year.

Chicago is making a statement with both Joey Purp and Vic Mensa closing off a night at Lollapalooza, respectfully.

Mensa’s history with Lollapalooza is almost story book like. From Mensa's well documented near death experience with sneaking into the festival before his career took off to now closing one of the main stages on Saturday, July 30. Mensa will take the lead in bringing the young Chicago talent to the Lolla stages.

Lollapalooza 2014 by Bobby Reys

25th anniversary

It’s been twenty-five years since Jane Addiction singer Perry Farrell created Lollapalooza. Lollapalooza was created as a farewell tour for the band. Now Lollapalooza has expanded to international countries like Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Germany.

Making Lollapalooza an official Chicago music festival in 2005. The festival was hitting the road before then. It first started off as a two-day music festival only bringing in 70 acts. The festival has since exploded cementing it’s place as one of the best music festivals in the country.

Lollapalooza is going big this year making it a can’t miss attraction for years to come.

Lollapalooza 2014 by Bobby Reys

Extra day, Extra fun

When Lolla makeed Chicago it’s official home in 2005 was a two-day festival. Now eleven years later, Lollapalooza will be doubling up for the first time extending the usual three-day festival into four days.

Starting a day before the usual festivities begin the artists that have been announced are stacked! Artist that have us looking forward to Thursday, July 28 include: Kehlani, Towkio, Melanie Martinez, G-Eazy, The 1975, Lana Del Rey, and J. Cole.

Future. Purple Reign Tour
Future. Purple Reign Tour at Aragon Ballroom. Photo: Jeremy Franklin

Lollapalooza week is music paradise  

Lollapalooza brings thousands of people to Chicago drawing them in with jam packed shows. This year if you didn’t buy a Lollapalooza pass you can still get into the action with non-affiliated shows. These show are taking advantage of Lollapalooza week. Check back to Ruby Hornet for our top after parties at attend during Lollapalooza week.

The biggest draws are after parties for Lolla artists but heavy hitters like Drake and Future will be in Chicago Lollapalooza week.


Lollapalooza Crowd Shot by Ashley Garmon

Lollapalooza announces over 55 afterparties for 25th anniversary

There’s going to be plenty of incredible music to check out during Lollapalooza. If you missed your chance to snag up passes now’s your chance to get in on the action with these stacked afterparties.

For six nights, the schedule is on out to catch some of your favorite artist throughout Chicago. Announced artists like: Major Lazer, Vice Staples, Two Door Cinema Club, Mac Miller, and Halsey all headline their own afterparty.

Afterparties are a great way to see your favorite artist in an intimate setting. With other heavy hitters like Janes Addication and X Ambassadors set to host their own afterparties we known tickets will go fast.

With over 110 musical acts Lollapalooza afterparty tickets go on sale Friday, June 3 at 10 a.m. CT.

For the view list of afterparities visit Lollapalooza’s site here.

afterparties
Lollapalooza -- Aftershows

Future. Purple Reign Tour

Lollapalooza 25 Year Anniversary Lineup Announced

Celebrating 25 years as a world-renowned festival, Lollapalooza 25 Year Anniversary delivers an all-star lineup with Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, LCD Soundsystem, J. Cole, Lana Del Rey, Future, Ellie Goulding, Major Lazer and Disclosure topping the bill.  The diverse lineup also features performances from G-Eazy, Chris Stapleton, Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Miike Snow, Kurt Vile & The Violators and much more. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, Lollapalooza will bring four full days of music and over 170 performances to Chicago's beautiful Grant Park, July 28- 31.  View the full lineup and lineup-by-day here.

Legacy acts from the early days of Lollapalooza will be front and center with the return of Jane's Addiction, fronted by Lollapalooza creator and founder Perry Farrell ­- with a set full of surprises, as well as Red Hot Chili Peppers, who headlined the festival in 1991 and 1992 respectively.

"I've immersed myself in this experience for 25 years now, but it's in a constant state of evolution, living and breathing. As long as we always try to find the eye of the hurricane, the epicenter of the music that is truly connecting right now, I think we can go for another 25 years! And we'll do it by always making sure to keep it fresh. Four days this year, over 170 of the best bands, including acts from all over the world as the music community connects globally more than ever; the best sound, staging and lights. We promise the festival will always strive to be the 'lifeblood' of the music scene," says Perry Farrell.

This year's collection of fresh faces include ZHU, Aurora, Bryson Tiller, Oh Wonder and Låpsley as well as heavy-hitting female artists including HAIM, Grimes, Alessia Cara, Lindsey Stirling, Kehlani, Melanie Martinez, and a highly anticipated return from Halsey following last year's breakthrough performance.

Flosstradamus, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Duke Dumont, GRiZ, Big Gigantic, Marshmello and more will bring the beats for Lollapalooza's beloved dance music fans.

4-Day General Admission Tickets sold out on March 22.  A limited number of 1-Day General Admission Tickets ($120) and 1-Day VIP Tickets ($650) will be available for purchase today,March 23 at 10am CT.  4-Day VIP Tickets ($2,200), 4-Day Platinum Tickets ($4,200) and Official Hotel Packages are also available now at here.

Lollapalooza welcomes music fans of all ages, including kids. Children 10-years-old and younger will be admitted free of charge with a ticket-holding adult.

Fans worldwide who can't make it to Grant Park can watch The Official 2016 Lollapalooza Live Broadcast exclusively on Red Bull TV, which is distributed digitally for free on the web, connected TV platforms, smartphones and tablets as well as Lollapalooza.com. A full schedule of performances will be announced this July on Lollapalooza.com.

Lollapalooza 2016 is generously sponsored by: Samsung, Red Bull Sound Select, Bud Light, Pepsi, Toyota, BMI, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Citi and Cupcake Vineyards.


Art for Lollapalooza Live Stream 2015

Watch the Lollapalooza 2015 Livestream Performances

Did you want to make it out to Grant Park this weekend to catch your favorite artists performing at Lollapalooza, but for whatever reason, you can't? Well, you're in luck! You can livestream some of Lollapalooza's best performances throughout the weekend thanks to Red Bull TV! Now, you can see artists like Metallica, Paul McCartney, Florence + the Machine, Twin Peaks, Mick Jenkins, Dillon Francis, and more from the comfort of your own house!

This year, Lollapalooza and Red Bull TV are offering three different channels for your music viewing needs! Channel 1 will be hosted by Sal Masekela, Ted Stryker, and Julie Garcia featuring headliner performances, behind-the-scenes access, artist interviews, festival highlights, and more. Channels 2 and 3 will be strictly about the music, offering viewers front-row access to their favorite artists. You can find the full Lollapalooza 2015 Livestream schedule here.

 


Lollapalooza art

Top Artists to See at Lollapalooza 2015

Alright cool kids it’s that time of the year we all look forward to - when summer actually feels like summer (for two weeks) and you can drink booze outside with a couple hundred thousand of your closest friends while Millennium Park is raging with some of the most epic and fresh artists to date for Chicago’s largest annual summer music festival, Lollapalooza.

Lolla is here to take over Chicago once again and it’s coming hard with some hugely stellar acts. Like every music festival ever, there are too many amazing artists to choose from and a few frustrating time-slot conflicts. But no worries, here are a few suggestions to make this weekend worth the heat, crowds, and money you spent on that expensive and lovely little wristband.

Chance The Rapper at SXSW 2014 by Andrew-Zeiter

[Video] Chance the Rapper's Full Lollapalooza 2014 Set

Photo by Andrew Zeiter

Short post with this one, as you should just go straight for the video with this one. In case you missed Chance the Rapper's Lollapalooza 2014 set, it's now available to stream. Watch it, enjoy it, and bask in the light that has been Chance's amazing meteoric rise over the past year and a half.

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