In the heart of Chicago, there is a music festival that unites the Midwest every year: Lollapalooza. With the sold-out 4-day festival, festival goers of all ages filled Grant Park. But is this festival worth the hype and money for all of us in Seattle? Read on below and be the judge for yourself.
Entry
If you have a GA wristband, the biggest suggestion would be to not bring a bag. The line to get in through security without a bag is less than 10 minutes compared to the bag check line which can be 40+ minutes. Lollapalooza allows reentry which makes it bearable for ones who wants a break from the music, since the festival runs from noon all the way to 10pm.
Food and Drink
There are tons of food vendors and cocktail lounges spread throughout the festival, including Chipotle (yup, you heard that right). The festival is also cashless, which means transactions are made through the tap of your RFID wristband. This makes the checkout process easier and lines shorter for thirsty and hungry attendees.
Stage and Venue
Lollapalooza is made up of eight stages in the middle of downtown Chicago. Walking from one end of the venue to the complete opposite is a hike. We walked around eight miles on the first day for reference. So, if you are planning on attending Lollapalooza for the first time ever, wear your most comfortable walking shoes. The stages are spread out throughout the venue, with the main stages located on each side. The most noticeable sound bleed is between the Lake Shore Stage and the EDM-focused Perry Stage.
Music
The lineup this year was jam-packed with headliners like Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Odesza, and more. Some of our favorite EDM acts included Galantis, Herobust, Alan Walker, Excision, and Zomboy. The headliners brought production from their respective tours, and gave some breathtaking performances. Suffice it to say, if you want a festival with great top-40 music, EDM, and alternative, Lollapalooza is the one for you.
Overall Impressions
We would 100% come back to Lollapalooza. The humidity made things a little uncomfortable, but the festival itself was impressive. All in all, there was great music selection that encouraged us to branch out into a variety of different genres. If you’re traveling from the Northwest next year, we can say with confidence that this is definitely worth your money.
What did you think of Lollapalooza this year? Let us know in the comments below!
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