PREVIEW: FIVE ARTISTS TO CATCH AT LOLLAPALOOZA THIS YEAR
WRITTEN BY NALIJAH DANIELS
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As July turns into August, over 170 artists will grace the eight stages popping up across Grant Park in Chicago for Lollapalooza. Founded in 1991 by Perry Farrell to put artists from multiple genres on one bill, the festival continues to do that while generating millions of dollars for Chicago’s economy, providing opportunities for the city’s youth, and making strides in improving its climate impact.
One Redditor made a list differentiating the artists loosely by genre, taking direction from the replies to make it as accurate as possible. Ten umbrella categories from the local showcases to alt-pop artists. One reply even did the math, and art/indie pop, folk/singer-songwriter and indie/alt rock take the top three spots.
Here are five artists that I believe you should check out if you’re headed to The Windy City this summer.
5 Seconds of Summer
5 Seconds of Summer is known warmly by their record label and long-time fans as “the biggest band that no one’s ever heard of.” If you haven’t heard of the abbreviated 5SOS, they’re often likened to Blink-182, Green Day, and Mayday Parade, but more playful. They delve into the big emotions attached to relationships and failing but trying again, but they don’t take themselves too seriously.
With their most recent album, EVERYONE’S A STAR!, the Australian-Kiwi band returns to their pop-punk roots with a mature twist. Throwing in an early-2000s rock flair and the exploration of a matching eccentric style, their set is sure to be nostalgic no matter who’s watching. If you miss their early evening set on Thursday, their Official Aftershow with Elephant Heart is at The Salt Shed Indoors on Aug. 1.
Ninajirachi
Hailing from Australia, Nina Jo Wilson first performed at Lollapalooza in 2023 at the age of 23. Since then, she has pioneered her own genre, “girl EDM,” which is also the name of her 2024 album. She imagined new sounds for classic synth-pop and electro-house, and has only gotten better ever since.
Recommended to me by a trusted hyperpop enthusiast, Ninajirachi stunned me with spunky, staccato techno beats only made possible by a Gen Z mid-20s something who grew up online. If you love underscores, horsegiirL (who you can catch at the festival on Friday) or daine, you’re sure to fall in line with Nina’s crowd. Catch her on Thursday afternoon, or at her Official Aftershow with Frost Children at Epiphany Center For The Arts on Aug. 1
MUNA
This queer three-piece band came into the limelight in 2021 when they signed to Saddest Factory Records by Phoebe Bridgers. After a hit single, “Silk Chiffon” featuring their label founder, MUNA carved their own path to stardom. Although their 2017 debut About U led to them opening for Harry Styles, their 2022 self-titled album charted worldwide.
Katie Gavin, Nami McPherson, and Josette Maskin are stopping in Chicago in preparation for their Gets So Hot Tour, which kicks off on Sept. 17 in Phoenix, AZ. Promoting their new album, Dancing on the Wall, the Lollapalooza crowd should expect to feel sexy, move their bodies, and experience something special.
Slayyyter
Charli XCX (who’s headlining Friday) and Kesha were once inspirations for Catherine Grace Garner; since then, they’ve worked and toured with Slayyyter. Since “CRANK” was released in October 2025, the nu-metal artist has been the talk of the town. Once a “lower-middle-class singer,” clubs and soundproof headphones can’t seem to get enough of the Missouri native.
Clips from her Coachella set circulated social media platforms for days, so eyes have been peeled for what she’ll pull off throughout the rest of the year. Before her Friday set, she’s warming up with an Official Aftershow at The Salt Shed Indoors on July 30.
Geese
Geese’s sound is hard to pin down, but thrilling to listen to. A friend who made it to the barricade at the Brooklyn-based band’s Governors Ball set in June rocked out. Another friend said she’d buy nosebleed tickets at their show just to take in the music because it’s chaotic but still chill. To me, that means anyone can find something they can enjoy about the band.
Cameron Winter’s voice, Emily Green’s guitar, Dominic Digesu’s bass, and Max Bassin’s drums in Grant Park will set the tone for their upcoming tour in the second half of this year. From the Midwest to Europe and down to Mexico City, the young musicians will impress even more listeners.
Music recommendations can be hit or miss, but that’s why music festivals are great—there are even more artists for you to check out and explore. Personally, I’m going to be sprinting across the mile-long grounds, trying to catch as many acts as possible. Maybe we’ll pass each other on our musical journeys!