Three generations of headliner performances will be echoing through Chicago’s Grant Park this weekend, and we are telling you now that you won’t want to miss it. There will be our 21st century, free spirited redhead frolicking around the stage, the 60s Beatle strumming along on the guitar and 80s metal masters ringing your ears. Even with just these headliners we are already impressed with Lollapalooza’s lineup this year. They gave diversity a whole new meaning for music festivals with acts from Kid Cudi to Alabama Shakes, so festival goers will never be short of entertainment. So bring out your flower headbands and oversized sunglasses because here are a couple of acts you won’t want to miss.
Day 1.
The Weeknd
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If there is a one man show to see at Lolla this weekend, it is definitely the Weeknd. The Canadian born singer mixes with modern soul music that is just plain sexy. He will have you up and dancing to hits like “I Can’t Feel My Face” and then in a state of delusion when he turns on his ominous “High For This.” At Coachella he dished out a full set of 15 songs and you can only expect more as he continues to conquer the pop industry. There will be potential that he pays tribute to names such as Beyonce, Drake, Wiz Khalifa and others with impressive covers. Then stick around for his entire set you may even see a guest star, just like when he shocked crowds at Coachella when he invited the one and only Kanye West on stage. Either way by the end of the set the crowd will be more than into his vibe and certainly won’t be disappointed.
Alabama Shakes
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If you are looking for a strong, lead woman with some serious pipes, then Alabama Shakes is the place to be. Front woman, Brittany Howard certainly knows how to belt out a smooth southern soul tune and seems to do it the best. Fans can expect them to be performing lots of songs off their most recent album “Sound & Color” which Rolling Stone calls, “weirder, woozier, fiercer and sexier than their debut in nearly every way.” Taking one of the last daylight spots in the park, they will certainly WOW the crowd and maybe even sway your opinion on modern day rock.
Glass Animals
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The English-born quartet are a new and smaller name on Lollapalooza’s lineup, but they are definitely not someone you want to miss. Glass Animals really came out and impressed at Coachella this past April with their dreamy electronics and sticky vibes, literally. Crowd favorite, “Gooey” won’t make you want to jump up and down and scream, but rather sit back and sway easily with the music. Front singer and guitarist, Dave Bayley has gained a reputation for his restless demeanour behind the mic. He is known to wave his arms high in the air, encouraging the crowd to join along dancing to the rhythm and shimmying along to the beat. Definitely a must see in Grant Park this year.
Other acts to not miss on Friday: Paul McCartney, Gary Clark Jr., Kaskade, Flying Lotus, Hot Chip, Father John Misty, DJ Snake
Day 2.
Metallica
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While you may think that heavy metal should have been left in the 80s, there is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be at Metallica. Bringing back the music our parents listened to is all the rage these days, and to be honest none have them have really disappointed. They come out on stage and prove they can still rock and nobody can say anything about it. Metallica will surely not be an exception, fans can hope to hear old classics such as “Enter Sandman” and “Master of Puppets.” Despite their recent work on a new studio album, in past performances like the Rock in Rio Festival in Las Vegas in May, they stuck to the classics, keeping the crowd more than pleased.
Tame Impala
QRO Magazine
Since they are leading the psychedelic rock industry, Lollapalooza is more than lucky to be having Tame Impala grace the Samsung Galaxy stage. The Australian band is known for their woozy rhythms and unique sounds that create an all around warm atmosphere. They aim to capture the “melancholy dreamy feel,” while still pursuing hard chords on the electric guitar. They grabbed the last spot before the sun will set over Grant Park and think they will be perfectly suited for any crowd that has an interest in good music.
Kid Cudi
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We know everyone drove around listening to both “Man on the Moon” albums on repeat in high school. And we are here to tell you that he was cool in high school and he is still more than cool now, because Kid Cudi is a must see act at Lolla this year. While his 2010 tour left many crowds upset with short and interrupted performances, Cudi is back and better than ever. There wasn’t a happier crowd at Coachella back in 2014 when he danced around the stage with a smile so big, nobody could wipe it off his face. He played hits like “Mr. Rager,” “Erase Me” and “Day ’n’ Night.” While he has been working on some new material this year, we are hoping he plays a long set of his classics while adding in only teasers of the new album. Pearly whites will be the only thing flashing at sunset at the Bud Light stage.
Other acts to not miss on Saturday: Toro Y Moi, Sturgill Simpson, Sam Smith, Banks, G-Eazy, Chet Faker, Alesso, Tyler the Creator, Charle XCX
Day 3.
Florence and the Machine
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This wild child will be sure to swoon and make you fall in love with her while she flirts and dances about the stage. Florence and the Machine is not a set to be taken lightly, because she and her band is a force to be reckoned with. After being thrown into a headliner spot at Glastonbury in June, she did nothing but charm and enrapture the crowd with her fun personality and even better music. Tossing around her red hair this way and that, the people at the front of her stage may even get to dance along next to her, as she is known to try and make her way into the crowd. With hits like, “The Dog Days Are Over” and her new studio album, “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful” her set will be loaded with crowd favorites and is certainly not a performance you want to miss.
Kygo
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There is no doubt this 23 year-old has talent, after gaining attention from Avicii and Chris Martin when his Youtube channel received over 80 million views. Now two years into the industry, Kygo already has multiple hit singles including “Firestone,” “Younger” and “Stole the Show.” All of his tracks feature a feel-good, tropical house mix that go nicely with the festival vibes. You can also expect to hear good vocals on some of his tracks and potential guest stars like Seinabo Sey. A success story in the making, Kygo is at the top of the list for acts to see at Lolla 2015.
Odesza
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As the EDM world continues to move more and more towards a more feel-good vibe over the hard core electronics you get from Skrillex, Odesza came onto the scene just at the right time. They create a chilled-out dance atmosphere that only puts smiles on those dancing along in the crowd. Underrated compared to some of the bigger EDM acts on the lineup, you will for sure want to get there early because they will bring in a larger crowd than you would expect. With hits like “Say My Name” and “Sun Models” you won’t be sure if you have ever felt happier in your life.
Other acts to not miss on Sunday: FKA twigs, Of Monsters and Men, The Chainsmokers, Bassnectar, George Ezra, Galantis
