Every time I go to Lolla, I think, “No way it can top last year.” And then…somehow it does.

Let’s be real: Lollapalooza 2025 did not come to play. This four-day festival was jam packed with insane sets, surprise guests, an abundance of amazing food, and that classic Chicago summer energy.

Here’s the full rundown of what went down at Lollapalooza: the good, the unexpected, and all the moments that still live rent-free in my head.

If you were there, you already know how hard it went. If you weren’t, let me catch you up on everything that made this year’s Lolla one of my favorite weekends of the summer.

The Lineup: No Skips, No Notes

Every single day brought something different, from house and techno to rap, indie, bass, and pop. Here’s how it went down:

Thursday

We kicked things off strong with sets from The Blessed Madonna, Barry Can’t Swim, and Role Model, easing us into the weekend with feel-good vibes and smooth grooves. The Blessed Madonna paid tribute to the LGBTQ+ and drag communities in the beginning of her set, which got the party started at Perry’s Stage. Later in the day, Overmono and Mau P had us fully locked in with their high-energy beats. And Dom Dolla? Whew! His set shut down Perry’s Thursday night with intense beats and jaw-dropping lasers. Tyler, the Creator also closed out the night at T-Mobile Stage, performing tracks from his new album, Don’t Tap The Glass.

Friday

This day was all over the place in the best way. We caught T-Pain early (he still owns every crowd he touches “Buy U a Drank” live?? Unreal), followed by Foster The People for some indie nostalgia. Tape B delivered a heavy, bass-fueled set at Perry’s Stage and completely gagged us by bringing out Levity for a surprise drop of a never-heard-before edit. Djo (aka Joe Keery from Stranger Things) gave us dreamy synth-pop perfection. We absolutely loved hearing “End of Beginning” live. Isoxo and Knock2 turned Perry’s into a full-on rave, and Olivia Rodrigo shut down T-Mobile Stage with the kind of energy that makes you scream lyrics you didn’t even know you knew.

Saturday

We started the day vibing to Salute at Grove Stage and then checked out rising DJ, LAYZ  back at Perry’s Stage. After Layz, we stayed for an electric Dr. Fresch set. The bass was unreal. 

We also can’t forget to mention a surprise addition to the Saturday lineup, Chicago’s, Chance The Rapper. He debuted new music for the first time, and the crowd went wild!

Then it was a mad dash to Bud Light Stage to catch Clairo. This was my first time hearing her live, and I’m so glad my friend talked me into going. She gave total ’60s fashion meets dreamy bedroom pop. After Clairo, we booked it back across the park to catch the rest of Doechii’s set. I knew she’d bring the heat, but I was blown away. She hit us with all the bangers and brought out JT to perform “Alter Ego” absolutely iconic. Chase & Status was straight-up mayhem: basslines punching, energy through the roof.

And RÜFÜS DU SOL closed the night with their usual dreamscape of emotion and sound. Watching so many people experience their set for the first time was cool to see. I am a huge RÜFÜS DU SOL fan, not only for their music but also for the crowds they draw. PLUR is always alive and well at a RÜFÜS DU SOL show.

Sunday

The final day somehow felt like both a marathon and a celebration. Marlon Hoffstadt and Sammy Virji turned early afternoon into an underground club. Remi Wolf was a blast, with a vibrant, unfiltered, full personality. The Marías were smooth and sultry, Dominic Fike gave us indie cool with a side of heartache, and Martin Garrix had us jumping like it was 2015 again (in the best way). Then of course, Sabrina Carpenter came out like a full pop princess with the voice of an angel, and A$AP Rocky wrapped it all up with fan favorites and music he’s never performed live before.

The Food = A Core Part of the Experience

The food alone at Lollapalooza honestly deserves its own standing ovation. Once we took a bite of the churros from Xurro in Dessert Island, it was a wrap. We were drooling for more.

If you didn’t know, Chicago is a huge foodie town, with a wide variety of cuisines. Lollapalooza Chicago is one of the best music festivals to get your noms on. The Chow Town lineup this year was chef’s kiss – Chicago staples and festival fuel alike.

Some standouts worth mentioning:

• Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish – A Chicago classic and must-try every year.
• El Taconazo Express – The al pastor quesadillas were life-changing. Perfectly marinated and completely mouthwatering.
• Bagel Miller – We got the chicken Caesar sandwich with a cold brew coffee. The sandwich hit so hard we saved half to munch on during RÜFÜS DU SOL. 10/10 recommend.
• Chicago Eats Marketplace – Loaded fries topped with steak, chicken, or Italian beef and drenched in cheese sauce. We went with the Italian beef. No regrets.
• Epic Burger – Their cheeseburger was juicy, fluffy, and practically melted in your mouth.
• Xurro – We’re still dreaming about those warm, sugary churros. The best thing we ate all weekend, hands-down.

Brand Activations That Were Actually Fun (and Not Just For the Gram)

Some activations this year really went above and beyond:

• Liquid I.V. – Handed out packets while you waited in line, then let you build your own chilled drink at the Liquid I.V. Bar. There was a DJ, trivia for prizes, and slushies infused with L.I.V. — yes, please!
• Red Bull’s Dusty Disco – A saloon turned rave! We grabbed complimentary Red Bulls and caught a surprise set from Desert Hearts’ Lee Reynolds.
• Ulta Beauty’s Beat Suite – Makeup touch-up stations and free samples = lifesaver after dancing in the heat.
• Café Bustelo – A much-needed energy boost with cold brew options. I had the dulce de leche with a splash of milk and sugar — chef’s kiss.
• Liquid Death’s Country Club – Free cold canned water, mini golf for freebies, temp tattoos, massage beds, cold chambers, and a horoscope booth.
• Peace Tea – The lines were long, but it was worth the wait. Free chilled teas and Peace Tea slushies? More slurpees at music festivals, please.
• Snapchat Tower – Scan in and dance with your Bitmoji while your song plays. Plus exclusive behind-the-scenes content streamed inside.
• Coca Cola Roller Rink – right next to the Lollapalooza sign. Not only could you roller skate here, but they were handing out complimentary Coke Zero, which paired deliciously with our loaded fries.

Big Feelings & Little Moments

I say this every year, but it’s still true: there’s nothing like dancing to live music with thousands of strangers while the sun sets over the Chicago skyline. From big sets, to small moments, here’s a few relatable core memories from the weekend:

• Chilling in the grass at the Budlight Stage hearing an artist you’ve loved for so long for the first time 
• Running into new and old friends unexpectedly mid-set
• Sharing kandi, water, sprouts, and good vibes like it’s festival currency
• Screaming the words to a song with someone you’ll never see again

Until Next Time, Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza might be over but the memories will be forever. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you my feet are throbbing and my voice is gone. But it was worth it because my heart is so full. Whether you were there for the music, the outfits, the surprises, the content, the food, or the vibes you all made it special in your own way. Till we meet again, see you next year Lolla!