2018 Lollapalooza Superlatives

After four days of music, two 90-plus-degree-days, 12 arrests, 160 hospitalizations, and performances by over 180 bands, Lollapalooza 2018 has come to an end. As Grant Park recovers from the weekend of festivities, attendees are reflecting on their favorite, and maybe their least favorite moments from this year’s Lollapalooza. Here’s a comprehensive review of the weekends’ best and worst highlights. 

Best Stage Production- Bruno Mars: It comes as no surprise that mega-hit headliner Bruno Mars pulled out all the stops for his lone festival performance of the year. Coming out onto the stage with a bang (literally), Bruno Mars opened his electric set with hits such as “Finesse” and “24K Magic” backed by fireworks and his signature crew of instrumentalists and dancers. Mars’ set brought easily the densest crowd of the weekend to his set, with attendees fighting for a spot to enjoy his hit-packed setlist. 

Most Overdone Trend- Glitter and Jerseys: Every year at Lollapalooza, there seems to be one trend that takes over the crowd of mostly high-school-aged attendees. This year, it was glitter and oversized sports jerseys. It was practically impossible to not have either of these trends in eyesight at any time during the festival.  

Best Reemergence- Vampire Weekend: Indie-band Vampire Weekend played their first American festival in over four years to a large crowd of seemingly die-hard fans. The band opened their setlist by playing hit-song “A-punk” three times straight each with the same, if not more, energy from excited fans. Competing against singer The Weeknd across the park, front man Ezra Koenig joked that it “”Sucks we have to play against The Weeknd, we’d go see that guy. You can’t have Weeknd vs. Weekend.” The group also announced that their highly anticipated album is almost finished.  

Most Disastrous Set- Lil Pump: Lil Pump, famous for hit-song “Gucci Gang” played a confusingly small stage at an early afternoon slot. Already set up for disaster, the rapper entered the stage over 20 minutes late, only after his DJ’s computer overheated and fans were screaming disappointed expletives from the crowd. To cap-off his performance (or lack-there-of), Lil Pump’s 4-song set ended after numerous over-heated teens were pulled from the pit.  

Best Comeback- Travis Scott: After Travis Scott’s 2015 Lollapalooza set ended after only 5 minutes due to the rapper inviting hordes of fans onstage which ultimately led to his arrest, his redemption was highly anticipated. Travis Scott’s impressive headlining slot brought in a massive crowd to celebrate the release of his new album “Astroworld.”  

Best New Artist- Superorganism: Though indie-pop group Superorganism’s set took place during 90-plus degree heat, they still drew in an impressively energetic crowd. The eight-piece group displayed their signature unique style with entertaining banter from lead vocalist Orno Noguchi, electronic soundscapes, and choreographed backup vocals. It won’t be surprising if the group plays a large stage at Lollapalooza in the future.  

Most Underwhelming Crowd- Arctic Monkeys: Though Arctic Monkeys had some tough competition across the park for their headlining slot, the crowd for their hiatus-breaking festival show was lackluster compared to Travis Scott’s packed crowd. Despite the thin crowd of rock-lovers, the English-band played an electric set of songs from their new album “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino,” as well as older hits such as “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” 

Best Lolla First-Timer- Sir Sly: Despite indie-band Sir Sly’s success being relatively new, the three-piece band brought an impressive crowd to the Lake Shore stage, especially having an early-afternoon time slot in the blistering heat. Front man Landon Jacobs continuously expressed his gratitude for the passionate fans throughout the 45-minute set, in between him famously climbing the stage structure.