Behold, Chicagoans, the biggest weekend of the year is almost upon us! If you’ve been to Lollapalooza before, you know there’s something magical about being able to see all your favorite artists in the heart of the city, surrounded by Lake Michigan to your East and the scenic skyline to the North and West. As we all know though, when it comes to attending any music festival the most grueling detail is trying to determine who to see. You have to account for different tastes, conflicting set times, and even bathroom breaks amongst your group of friends. Our hope is to make that process at least a little bit easier for you by highlighting some of our picks to help guide your decision-making and possibly influence you to check out some new talent. We’ve ordered things chronologically to simplify everything. Have fun and be safe out there guys!
(P.S. Even if you won’t be partaking in the festivities this year, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to join in on the fun. The beauty of Lollapalooza is that all your favorite artists are gathered in one location, so chances are there’s another gig in the city you’ll want to be at. You can check out the full list of shows over at Do312.)
Friday, July 31st
BMI Stage | 12:00 PM
Why: You’d be hard-pressed to find an emcee as dynamic as Daye Jack. From singing over incredibly jazzy backdrops to delivering quick-hitting raps on future electronic stylings, Jack’s shown us he can do it all and even, at times, seamless fusions of all of the above. It’s not just the cadence and delivery that are impressive, though, Jack’s nearly always got a perspective and message. That combination of passion and technical ability promises for an impressive, energetic performance. – Ash
Samsung Galaxy Stage | 12:45 PM
Why: As Top Dawg Entertainment’s first lady, SZA thoroughly impressed us with last year’s Z EP. While we still wait for word on her debut album, A, we’ll be interested to to see if the songstress brings any new material with her during her first appearance at Lollapalooza. – Baseer
Perry’s Stage | 3:15
Why: What’s not to like? As a duo, Aussies Flume and Emoh Instead consistently pushed boundaries with their remixes and original work. Although Flume announced his departure from the group back in February, Emoh carries on the legacy proudly. Here’s hoping that he sneaks in a few new numbers from the duo’s final EP together, Gemini, during his set. – Baseer
Bud Light Stage | 4:30 PM
Why: Hot Chip’s most recent effort, Why Make Sense?, highlights the band’s desire to cast aside any predisposed conventions and start over fresh. Six albums deep into their career, you have to respect their willingness to expand upon the foundations of dance music. That’s why they’re still a must-see act year in and year out. – Baseer
Bud Light Stage | 6:30 PM
Why: At this point, alt-J are a household name, and with good reason. Their live set is a perfectly interwoven combination of their instant-classic debut and its equally impresive follow-up. Moving from side stages to the mains ones, they’ve only gotten better as performers with time, which is saying something given how mind-blowing their early shows were. – Ash
BMI Stage | 6:50 PM
Why: Young Thug is one of the most polarizing figures in hip-hop today, but he’s also one of the more unique and interesting characters to emerge from the Atlanta music scene. Thug’s style, admittedly, isn’t for everybody, but he does have a knack for making some undeniably catchy tunes that should resonate well with a crowd. – Baseer
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Pepsi Stage | 7:45 PM
Why: There’s something magical about the subtle, downtempo music of vocalist/producer duo Sylvan Esso. Although their phenomenal debut feels mostly like an easy listen, their live performance is far from a laid-back one. Rather, with the help of Amelia Meath’s fantastically unique stage presence, they take their compositions to the dancefloor by building out the grooves and getting the crowd involved. Look out for “H.S.K.T.”, which we promise you’ll have stuck in your head after their show. – Ash
Bud Light Stage | 8:30 PM
Why: A few years ago, it may have been strange to think of the Toronto native as a Lollapalooza headliner, but a string of recent releases has propelled The Weeknd to become a pop powerhouse, recently becoming the first artist to own the top three spots on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart. With his next studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, set to drop in less than a month, we’re eager to see what Abel brings to the table in what’s sure to be a much-hyped performance. – Baseer
Pepsi Stage | 9:00 PM
Why: Always a man of many hats, Steven Ellison may be involved in more than we can keep track of, between his Brainfeeder label, music production, stage curation, being the new resident DJ on Hannibal Burress’ new show Why? and loads more. But one thing the man known simply as FlyLo hasn’t lost a beat on is his live show. Always developing both visually and aurally, Flying Lotus’ live performance has never left so much as a doubt to why he’s one of the most sought after acts in every facet of electronic and indie music. Expect a versatile and genre-eschewing set from the Brainfeeder boss, and be sure to catch the entire show from start to finish for a true musical journey. Trust us, you’ll be pleased you did. – Matthew
Saturday, August 1st
Pepsi Stage | 11:45 AM
Why: Mick Jenkins made a huge splash last year with the release of his mixtape The Water[s]. Ahead of the release of his follow-up project, Wave[s], the Chicago native prepares to take the stage in what promises to be a can’t miss set in front of his hometown crowd. – Baseer
Pepsi Stage | 12:50 PM
Why: Raury broke through in a big way last year with songs like “God’s Whisper” and “Cigarette Song” that fused together an eclectic blend of hip-hop, soul and folk. The ATL native has impressed fans and critics alike, recently earning a spot as part of XXL’s 2015 Freshman class. Still only 19 years old, we’re excited to watch the Indigo Child grow up before our eyes. – Baseer
Sprint Stage | 1:30 PM
Why: LA based songstress Ryn Weaver blew up in a big way nearly a year ago with the release of her EP Promises and the massive hit “OctaHate”. Despite a large scale album release, she has maintained a steady following thanks to releases with Cashmere Cat and Benzel. Catch Ryn Weaver early on Saturday to start off day two with good vibes and alluring vocals. – Dom
Pepsi Stage | 2:50 PM
Why: This Brooklyn based synth-pop band may not be familiar to festival goers now, but music fans who miss Wet this summer may be kicking themselves later this fall. With a full-length album, Don’t You, due out later this year, Wet’s set will be a blend of buzzworthy material from their 2013 EP and new soon-to-be released content all rolled into one. – Dom
BMI Stage | 3:20 PM
Why: Pell is part of a growing collection of uber-talented young emcees trying to push the genre forward in fresh and creative ways.His debut project, Floating While Dreaming, introduced the world to what many have referred to as “dream rap”, but we don’t think there’s any singular way to describe his music.Since then,Pell has shown off his versatility through collaborations with White Sea and G-Eazy (two other Lolla performers this year) and we’re confident he’ll continue to impress when he takes the stage on Saturday. – Baseer
Palladia Stage | 3:45 PM
Why: Chaz Bundick, aka Toro y Moi, is a never-ending source of creativity. With a catalogue that spans genres, but maintains a distinct Toro vibe, his live shows are musical adventures reflective of his broad-stretching range. His most recent album, What for?, finds Chaz taking on an indie rock sound resulting in epic live jams that you won’t want to miss. – Ash
Pepsi Stage | 4:00 PM
Why: Fresh off the release of a chart-topping album in their native Australia, Hermitude looks to bring “The Buzz” stateside with a captivating performance on Saturday. With the international release of their Dark Night Sweet Light LP set to land on August 28, be prepared to hear some hypnotic new tunes during their set. – Baseer
Palladia Stage | 5:45 PM
Why: Tyler’s Cherry Bomb expounded upon his abilities as producer, as he experimented with new sounds and aesthetics outside of rap. Despite the more mellow tone of the album overall, Tyler’s live performances remain as outlandish and bombastic as ever. The man knows exactly how to get a crowd riled up, so expect a few bumps and bruises during what promises to be an incredibly energetic set. – Baseer
Samsung Galaxy Stage | 6:00 PM
Why: In Kevin Parker’s first American tour stop since the release of critically acclaimed Currents, expect a sea of fans grooving to the newly released psychedelic melodies of his latest album. Tame Impala are worth seeing based on the distinctly different expierience listeners will have in interacitng with their music – without an MGMT or Animal Collective in the lineup, Tame Impala will most likely carve a niche as the alluringly weird set of the evening. – Dom
Pepsi Stage | 6:30 PM
Why: Chet Faker puts on one of the most impressive one-man shows you’ll see. Handling all the electronic instrumentation live while singing with his soulful, powerful voice, Faker electrifies crowds without losing the emotional depth that makes his sound so potent. – Ash
Bud Light Stage | 6:45 PM
Why: Kid Cudi brings energy like no other to the stage. It’s during his live performances that you realize just how influential his music has been for an entire generation as you can look to either side of you and find fans singing along to every word. With a new album just around the bend, it’s the perfect time to catch the legendary man on the moon. – Ash
Pepsi Stage | 7:45 PM
Why: BANKS took the blog world by storm in 2013 with her breathtaking blend of silky vocals, spacey, ethereal production and raw, vulnerable lyrics. She carried that momentum into 2014 with the release of her debut album, Goddess, cementing herself as one of the most evocative alternative R&B/pop acts on the planet. Her live performances are almost akin to witchcraft, leaving you spellbound both during and long after they’re over. – Baseer
Sunday, August 2nd
Perry’s Stage | 12:00 PM
Why: Guaranteed to deliver his trademark blend of smooth house grooves designed to ease you into the final day of festivities. – Michael
Pepsi Stage | 12:50 PM
Why: Based out of New York, Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman are Lion Babe, a duo that bridges together old school soul with modern pop sensibilities. The two have gradually expanded their sound over the last few years, gaining approval from the likes of Childish Gambino and Pharrell Williams. As they currently prepare for the release of their debut album, we’re excited to see what they bring to the stage early on Sunday. – Baseer
Perry’s Stage | 1:30 PM
Why: Sydney producer Alison Wonderland makes her triumphant return to the states after an early summer tour in promotion of her debut album Run. The main critique of the album focused on its inability to compare to the energetic, risk taking live performances in which AW has made her name (check out her legendary warehouse parties down under). Festival-goers should add Alison Wonderland to their must-see lists, especially if they intend on catching latter sets by Galantis and Nero. – Dom
Bud Light Stage | 4:45 PM
Why: ODESZA’s percussion-driven, radiant sound permeates through crowds like none other. Their live set up, with live electronic percussion, never fails to leave the crowd in awe while throwing in surprises along the way. – Ash
Bud Light Stage | 6:45 PM
Why: AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP could not have been a more appropriate title for Rocky’s most recent effort, as it felt like one of the most complete projects of his career. As a result, we’re far more excited for this set than we were back when the lineup was originally announced. Though we expect things to get rowdy during hit numbers like “Wild For The Night”, we’re looking forward to some more subdued moments as well, particularly during a live rendition of “L$D”, a trippy, psychedelic tune from his new album. – Baseer
Pepsi Stage | 7:45 PM
Why: Whether or not her recorded music is too out there for you, FKA Twigs is not an act you want to miss. Her mesmerizing dance moves combined with an equally enchanting voice earn her a crowd full of captivated fans with every set. – Ash
Perry’s Stage | 8:30 PM
Why: After completely storming nearly every corner of the electronic music game with their debut concept opus Welcome Reality, back in 2011, U.K. visionaries NERO are finally back in 2015. Thus far they’ve released a handful of singles this year, most notably “The Thrill” and “Between II Worlds”, leading up to their sophomore LP entry Between II Worlds, to be released later this month on August 28. Daniel, Joe and Alana haven’t been resting on their laurels either, instead pushing their sound into new and even more futuristic territory. Needless to say, be prepared for a visceral live experience from the trio this year. – Matthew
