by: Sam Gruetter
Editor in Chief

Each year, Grant Park in Chicago hosts the renowned Lollapalooza music festival from Jul. 30 to Aug. 2, an event which claims to host “4 days of the world’s best music under the iconic Chicago skyline”. This year, headliners include Charli XCX, Lorde, Olivia Dean, Tate McRae, and other rapidly emerging stars, a perfect mix of already-established household names and upcoming talent.

The most notable artists playing on Jul. 30, the first day of the festival, are Lorde, John Summit, Sombr, Bella Kay, and Blood Orange. Lorde and John Summit have solidified their place as big names in the music world, with Lorde releasing her first album, Pure Heroine, in 2012 and John Summit routinely DJ’ing massive events across the country with hits such as Where You Are, Deep End, and Human. However, in the past year, artists such as Sombr, Bella Kay, and Blood Orange have made significant waves with their music, largely thanks to their songs Back to Friends, iloveit, iloveit, iloveit, and Champagne Coast going viral on TikTok.

The second and third days host a wide spectrum of artists and musical genres, with an artist to cater to every audience member’s preferences. The headliners are: Charli XCX, famous for her iconic “brat summer” brand accompanying her album Brat, The Smashing Pumpkins, an American rock band who have been playing since 1988, Olivia Dean, who recently won a Grammy for “Best New Artist”, and Jennie, a member of the K-pop group BLACKPINK. On day two, internet sensation Zara Larsson will also perform, a musician who has made a recent comeback with her album Midnight Sun and viral Lush Life dance. Also on day three are Ethel Cain and the Neighbourhood, two of the 2020s most popular artists, and both of whom have recently toured.

Day four will conclude the festival; Tate McRae and the XX will headline. Alternative artist Beabadoobe will also be playing, alongside pop band the Chainsmokers, who gained most of their exposure and notoriety during the 2000s, a fact that shines through in their music with their famous tracks, with their most famous tracks being Roses, Paris, Closer, and Something Just Like This.

Charli XCX, the XX, Turnstile, Ethel Cain, Wet Leg, and Geese will all also be playing Outsidelands in San Francisco at the end of August, another one of the most attended and anticipated music events in the country. Whether it be largely techno EDM music from DJ’s Disco Lines and John Summit, or slow, alternative tracks from Ethel Cain and Blood Orange, Lollapalooza’s 2026 lineup has an undeniable range and an abundance of talent, making many declare that it is the best in years.

(Source: Lollapalooza)