As everyone has heard, Lollapalooza is going to be four full days this summer (June 28th-31st). We can expect more bands, more sweat, more “sick days” off work and more money to be spent. Four-day passes will run face value at $335, which breaks down to about $84 a day. This price is actually cheaper than previous years, but don’t get your hopes up to snag them at base price. Anyone who has followed Lollapalooza in past years knows that tickets sell out in a matter of minutes. If a four-day pass isn’t tangible, single-day passes are $120 and still worth every dime. The 25th annual Lollapalooza festival is obligated to be one of the best yet, and they have a lot of exciting contenders to choose from. Everyone is eager to purchase passes, even without the official lineup, but it is expected to be the biggest (numerically, it will be) and best yet, and a probable “comeback” for many.
Five 2016 Line-up Hopefulls
1) Guns N' Roses
After a highly anticipated reveal of California festival Coachella’s line up, starring your mom’s favorite glam rock band, Guns N’ Roses seems to be fair game for everything big. Sources say that there is a tour in the works, and the band’s aim is to make $1 million per show. That seems a little ridiculous, but who wouldn’t want to see Axl Rose and the professional guitar hero, Slash, welcome you to the jungle?
*This article was written before the passing of David Bowie. He Celebrated his 69th birthday on January 8th, along with the release of his 25th album (talked about above). In honor of his successes, I would like to keep him on this list because he is a performer that possessed a spot on my "once in a lifetime" concert list. In his own lyrics, "Oh, I'll be free Just like that bluebird Oh, I'll be free Ain't that just like me?". While he may have passed, his music will live on. Thank you and Rest in peace, David Bowie.*
2) Sufjan Stevens
This Michigan-raised artist experienced great success with his album Illinois, in 2005, but that isn’t the sole reason why he would be a great artist to add to Chicago’s 2016 line-up. Carrie & Lowell is arguably one of the best albums of 2015. Stevens has a distinct talent for story telling in his hymn-like folk melodies, and this album is his purest yet. Carrie, his mother, and Lowell, his stepfather, are the main characters in Steven’s album reflecting on his trivial life. Adding a mellow set would give festival goers an opportunity to rest and see a fantastic artist.
3) Kendrick Lamar
The “m.A.A.d city” rapper has also managed to release a buzzworthy album in 2015. To Pimp A Butterfly speaks to all of America with its direct commentary on prevalent, black, social issues. Featured artists include Tupac, Snoop Dog, Thundercat, James Fauntleroy, Ronald Isley, and more stylistic features like spoken word. It is clear that this album was carefully mastered and produced for a greater reason than music itself. Kendrick has the talent and fan base to be a real powerhouse for Lollapalooza’s hip-hop/rap scene this year.
4) Drake
According to Spotify, Drake was the front runner of a couple streaming categories this past year. After “Hotline Bling” topped the charts, the song created its own brand with horrible dance moves and hideous sweaters. Despite pop culture’s obsession, there are other reasons he earned a (possible) spot on Lollapalooza’s list; his albums have all showed major success, he has collaborated with multiple talented artists, and G Eazy said, “Shout out to Drake, he makes really good music”, during his set at Lolla ’15. And there is no denying that Drake's performance would be packed. What A Time To Be Alive.
Sadly (or maybe not), this is only based on recent artist comebacks, other festival lineups, and pop culture's demands. Lolla 2016 will be monumental and may change future festival plans. So get your computers ready now and keep refreshing until the dreadful, spring day tickets come out. If you're a true aesthete for the music world, then every dime is worth the experience (face value or not). Much more to develop with Lollapalooza 2016!
