Rain or shine is Lollapalooza’s policy, so even though the skies showered down on Grant Park, the music and festivities went on as planned.
Right after doors opened, organizers utilized the festival app to send out a reminder to attendees that umbrellas were not allowed on the grounds and to bring boots (some solid advice as mud puddles started forming on the grassier areas).
Those who braved the elements could be seen lining up outside the onsite bodega near Buckingham Fountain, securing whatever rain gear was available for purchase.
The result — a sea of rainbow-hued ponchos that have drowned the scene at Grant Park, bringing some needed color to the otherwise mopey day.
Here are some highlights from Day 3 of Lollapalooza:
Pusha T
Although the Grammy-nominated rapper had to compete for concertgoers with the rest of Saturday night’s headliners, Pusha T attracted a crowd that was ready to party hard at his set. Calling Chicago his “home away from home,” Pusha T made sure to let fans know that he felt he wouldn’t have a career without his connection to the city. He’s worked with fellow rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) on popular songs like “Mercy” and “Remember,” and he performed his verses on both songs despite publicly cutting ties with the controversial artist in 2022. Later, he even did a cover of Chicago drill legend Chief Keef’s “I Don’t Like,” while once again encouraging fans to open up mosh pits even as light rain started to fall. The set ended about 15 minutes before the festival had to close for the day, and some fans were upset that Pusha T’s performance was shorter than those of the other headliners across the way. Others used it as the perfect opportunity to beat the foot traffic out of Grant Park. — Ambar Colon
Tomorrow x Together
Tomorrow x Together made history at Lollapalooza again Saturday as the first South Korean boy band to headline the festival. The act prepared in earnest for the occasion, earlier in the week sharing footage of rehearsals on TikTok. The singing and choreography were on par for the main event and had many dedicated fans dancing right along with their every step. Other highlights included “Can’t You See Me?” with a good round of fireball pyrotechnics and the slowed-down ballad “Blue Spring,” written as an ode to their fans, which naturally had many faces crying. — Selena Fragassi
Ari Abdul
Ari Abdul’s breathy, goth noir pop ballads were a great warmup for Lana Del Rey’s headlining set Saturday and carried the pop venom of an Olivia Rodrigo. Helped by a live drummer and guitarist, the layered, beat-driven production of Abdul’s bedroom hits were given extra volume and dimension. In addition to playing her biggest viral hit to date, “Babydoll” and the upbeat dancer “Bored,” which got bodies at the BMI Stage moving, Abdul also revealed some new material including a track that just dropped Friday called “Make Me Cry.” — Selena Fragassi
Danielle Ponder
The BMI Stage has done it again. Every year, the tastemakers book the big acts of tomorrow and have a pretty good track record for doing so. Lady Gaga and Halsey are alumni, and soon, you can count on R&B pop talent Danielle Ponder as the next one to break into superstar status. With her booming, saintly voice that could break through glass windows, undeniable charisma that makes you want to lock eyes with her and never turn away and incredible backstory that reminds you to never give up on your dreams, the soulful Ponder is on her way to being a one-name wonder in the style of Aretha, Nina and Adele. — Selena Fragassi
Jean Dawson
Jean Dawson held nothing back at his midday set at the Bacardi Stage. From the gritty opening riffs of his first song, “Three Heads,” to his ominous oversized black raincoat, it was clear the Mexican American experimental pop rocker was not here to play nice or mince words. He unleashed his bilingual track “Policia,” sharing his disdain for police and the system that “incarcerates people that look like me.” Twenty minutes prior, he also divulged, “I don’t give a f- - - about a festival, I care about you,” dialing into the focused fans in front of him who fed into the real talk he was serving with songs about being an outsider. — Selena Fragassi
Thee Sacred Souls
With a sound that is influenced by the soul and groove of the ’60s and ’70s, Thee Sacred Souls still manages to sound contemporary. The rain didn’t seem to bother rambunctious lead singer Josh Lane, who at one point ran off stage and into the crowd, tempting fans to chase him as he ran across the muddied baseball fields in Grant Park. Thee Sacred Souls want the world to know that they’re all about love and every emotion connected to it. They performed a romantic cover of The Fuzz’s (presumably one of their influences) “I Love You For All The Seasons” while fans embraced each other and swayed in the rain. — Ambar Colón
The Linda Lindas
The young punk rock rockers, ranging in age from 12 to 18, took a break from their arena tour supporting Paramore to play Lollapalooza for an hour-long set. The quartet filled up the time well with their incredible originals such as “Magic,” “Monica,” the just released song “Resolution/Revolution” and new track “Too Many Things.” They also threw in a couple covers of The Go-Go’s “Tonite” and Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl,” the latter paying homage to one of the Lindas’ heroes who they were personally invited to perform with in recent years. The band’s rain-soaked set at Lolla today showed they already have incredible maturity and more very grown-up opinions. — Selena Fragassi
Usted Señalemelo
Rain poured down heavily as Usted Señalemelo took the stage on Saturday afternoon at Lollapalooza. What started off as a crowd of about 30 people grew with time as the sky opened up even more. Some fans wore ponchos, others carried umbrellas, and several brave souls just weathered the downpour as the band rocked out onstage. “Despite the rain, your love fills our souls,” Juan Mango, on vocals and synth, told the crowd in Spanish. The set ultimately was full of guitar solos, a bit of punky screaming and plenty of energy. Fans were head banging along with the band, and when it was all over, begged for them to play just one more tune. — Ambar Colón
Q Brothers
Chicago’s very own Q Brothers made their way onstage as dozens of kids and their parents played in Rhythm Revolution, a drum circle near the Kidzapalooza stage. They performed “Buggin’ ” with special guest Maya Vinice, a Chicago singer-songwriter with a background in theater. She has a new song out that parents “should definitely not play for your kids,” said group member GQ. The four-man hip-hop show for kids was full of laughs and enthusiasm, especially from the crowd that gathered in front of the stage. Some youngsters did cartwheels while others bounced around on their parent’s shoulders. — Ambar Colón
