Friday got off to a strong start with queer favourite King Princess taking the Snapchat Stage in the afternoon. Despite the earlier time slot, fans showed up in full force as she performed a mix of favourites from across her discography, including “PAIN,” “Cheap Queen,” and “Prophet”. The crowd energy proved that an early afternoon set was no obstacle for a dedicated fanbase.

Del Water Gap by @okaynicolita and King Princess by Anna Downs. Cover image: Lorde by Rich Fury. Images courtesy of Governors Ball.

Over on the main stage, Del Water Gap also had a wonderful set on the main stage on the earlier side, but that didn’t stop his fans from jumping and singing along to “Perfume” or “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat”. The Dare brought one of the highest-energy performances of the entire festival. Many attendees agreed that seeing him perform in broad daylight felt unusual compared to the dark clubs and underground venues where his music thrives, but he still managed to create an electric atmosphere. Fans were jumping, screaming, and fully immersed during songs like “Eastside Girls” and “I Destroyed Disco”.

KATSEYE by @okaynicolita, image courtesy of Governors Ball.

KATSEYE brought a noticeably younger crowd, with many parents attending alongside their kids, creating a different atmosphere than some of the festival’s other sets. However, the group’s choreography and vocals completely won over the audience. Watching all five members constantly moving, singing, and perfectly coordinating on stage felt almost effortless — a true display of their performance skill.

Baby Keem and Lorde were major highlights of Friday, closing out the night with massive crowds ready to sing along to every favourite track. Fans erupted for tracks like “family ties” and “The Hillbillies,” turning his set into one of the most energetic moments of the day.

Baby Keem by Rich Fury. Image courtesy of Governors Ball.

Lorde by @okaynicolita and Anna Downs. Image courtesy of Governors Ball.

Lorde’s performance was one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend, and she completely lived up to the hype. Taking the stage with her signature emotional intensity, she created a more intimate atmosphere despite performing for one of the festival’s largest crowds. Moving between newer material and fan favourites from throughout her career, Lorde had the entire audience singing along to songs like “Royals,” “Green Light,” and “Ribs”. Her ability to make a massive festival stage feel personal was one of the standout moments of Friday night, closing out the day on a powerful and emotional note.

Saturday proved to be more unpredictable than expected, as weather conditions impacted the evening performances. The day started beautifully, with clear skies, sunshine, and a refreshing breeze keeping festivalgoers comfortable. 2hollis delivered an incredible set, even ending shirtless to the crowd’s excitement. Ravyn Lenae and Wet Leg also gave standout performances. Ravyn Lenae’s vocals were especially impressive as she performed favourites like “Bad Idea” and “Love Me Not,” while Wet Leg had a packed crowd singing along to hits like “Wet Dream” and “mangetout”.

Unfortunately, thunderstorms disrupted the evening schedule, forcing several changes to the lineup. Some artists were moved to earlier time slots, while others were cancelled or rescheduled. Kali Uchis fans experienced the biggest disappointment of the weekend when her entire performance was cancelled due to the incoming storms.

Major Lazer was moved to the Snapchat Stage, while Stray Kids were moved into an earlier slot. Stray Kids quickly became one of the most talked-about performances of the festival. Marking the first time a K-pop group headlined Governors Ball, the group brought one of the most dedicated fanbases of the weekend. Many fans waited throughout the entire day to secure front-row spots, and their commitment paid off with a high-energy performance. Those who stayed until the end also braved the severe summer thunderstorm that hit Queens just minutes after their set concluded.

Sunday brought a return to sunshine and celebration, beginning with Hemlocke Springs, who captivated the crowd with her ethereal vocals and infectious energy. She performed primarily songs from her debut album the apple tree under the sea, ending her set with “be the girl” and a heartfelt message about growth, change, and embracing new chapters in life.

The sunny weather did briefly disappear when a short rain delay affected Slayyyter’s performance, cutting her set about 15 minutes short. Fans were devastated, chanting “Justice for Slayyyter!” even after the performance ended. Thankfully, her team came prepared, throwing out Slayyyter-themed flags that doubled as rain protection for the crowd.

A major highlight of Sunday was Governors Ball successfully rescheduling Blood Orange for a new festival time slot. Jennie also drew an enormous crowd, further highlighting the growing presence of K-pop at the festival. Alongside artists like Stray Kids and KATSEYE, she helped bring a more international feel to this year’s lineup compared to previous years.

The final night was especially meaningful for New Yorkers as Harlem native A$AP Rocky headlined the festival. His performance was a massive production featuring a helicopter, dozens of dancers, and a dramatic SWAT team-inspired visual moment. He closed out the weekend with a hometown celebration that perfectly capped off another successful Governors Ball.

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Entering the venue, concertgoers were welcomed by various food and beverage stands and activations, serving up everything from Aperol Spritz to canned margaritas and international beers in a fun and colourful setting. The Amphitheatre bandshell is extended by a green grass lawn on which many festival goers spread their blankets for a full day hangout. The stage visibility was amplified by three large screens zooming in on the performance and regularly spotlighting the crowd. The audience was as diverse as the lineup, with many fans dancing through entire sets, wearing branded artist merch. 

Holly Humberstone by Respective Collective, Serena Yang. Image courtesy of All Things Go.

On Saturday afternoon, the audience was treated to a handful of performances ahead of Kesha’s headlining set. English singer and songwriter Holly Humberstone brought her flavour of guitar pop music to the stage. Dressed in what felt like a white tutu, Humberstone gleefully worked through her latest record, Cruel World, to a cheering crowd. Her performance was followed by another English singer-songwriter, Rachel Chinouriri, who got even more people up on their feet and surely plenty of new listeners on her music streams. 

Accompanied on stage by a drummer and a guitarist, Chinouriri ran out on stage with explosive energy. Her stage presence is engaging and captivating, enhanced with candid stories about her work, like the latest album being a “trauma dump” from past relationships. Chinouriri’s set was a mix of songs from her debut studio album, What A Devastating Turn Of Events, and in-between singles like “I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Trying)” and “What A Life”. 

Rachel Chinouriri by Respective Collective, Serena Yang. Image courtesy of All Things Go.

Sunday afternoon kicked off with bright sunshine, welcomed the girls with flower clips and electric tape tube tops, along with dads in Hawaiian shirts and sun hats, to the Amphitheatre grounds. Canada’s Jade LeMac, a self-taught piano and guitar player, was a vocal highlight for the day. Her subtly gentle set was followed by an energetic performance by Del Water Gap (aka Samuel Holden Jaffe). After a brief instrumental opening, Samuel Holden Jaffe stormed out on stage in jeans and a blazer with blacked-out eyes. A true indie-pop heartthrob, Del Water Gap had both men and women dancing and singing along to their entire set. Jaffe engaged the crowd on multiple occasions, expressing his gratitude to the attendees and prompting them to play along. 

Jade LeMac by Respective Collective, Serena Yang. Image courtesy of All Things Go.

The biggest highlight of the weekend was a highly anticipated performance by the Isle of Wight’s English indie rock band Wet Leg. Founded in 2019 by Rhian Teasdale (vocals, guitar) and Hester Chambers (guitar) the band also includes Josh Mobaraki (guitar, keyboards), Ellis Durand (bass), and Henry Holmes (drums). Rhian Teasdale, dressed in a petite signature outfit, took front stage, diving into the set from the deep end with “catch these fists”. The crowd stood up and stayed up for the rest of the night. The set, one-by-one, went through the songs on the moisturizer, most of which a healthy portion of the attendees knew the lyrics to by heart. The set was really only interrupted to point out the shirtless superfine – a “bunch of dudes” – with “WET LEG” painted across their torsos, who were more than happy to be in the spotlight on the big screen. 

Wet Leg by Respective Collective, Serena Yang. Image courtesy of All Things Go.

Lorde’s closing set was a performance of all kinds. The stage had multiple moving parts, shapeshifting into objects and glass boxes. This was Lorde’s second appearance at All Things Go, so she knew exactly what hype this fan base would bring and brought her whole self to the stage. Her set included all-time favourites like “Royals,” “Ribs,” “Buzzcut Season,” and a wealth of songs from her latest album, Virgin. “This is my second All Things Go! I’m trying to catch them all. It’s a Pokémon situation for me. This is, without a doubt, the coolest festival in North America,” Lorde shared.

Lorde by Respective Collective, Serena Yang. Image courtesy of All Things Go.

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The fest proved to be a dizzying cocktail of running from stage to stage and dancing to the beat of beloved artists, trying to stay hydrated, resulting in a very unique experience: The Lollapalooza Hangover. Reliving the highlights and lowlights of the fest in the post-Lolla glow is making us feel tired. And old. But what a fantastic time it was.

Highlights:

Mix & Match Headliners: Clearly, the Lollapalooza folks know what they’re doing. Each year, the fest is curated to please a mass audience. If you don’t feel like going to Skrillex or Krewella (and we certainly didn’t), there’s a wide mix of tastes when it comes to the evening’s closing shows. Eminem pulled out the stops and brought Rihanna on stage, which was pretty damn cool. He’s 42 years old and maintains the same performance demeanor and energy from when he came on the scene at the end of the ‘90s. Personally, we were delighted by the offbeat indie choice of Cut/Copy at the Grove stage. The mesmerising light show paired with hazy dance tunes was a heavenly combination. Kings of Leon killed it and Arctic Monkeys played a strong set as well.

Fantastic Accents & Indie Power Pop: One of the highlights of Lollapalooza is the international talent it attracts. Acts from near and far who made a big splash over the past year find their way onto the lineup. Very adorable accents added to Lorde and CHVRCHES‘ upbeat, enjoyable sets. Hearing lead singer Lauren Mayberry discuss her tambourine purchase in her plucky Glasgow lilt was truly entertaining. Brit Pop’s presence loomed large at the festival, with acts like the Kooks, the 1975 and headliner Arctic Monkeys showcasing positively charming swagger in addition to musical performance chops.

Being an outdoor festival, Lolla is the perfect venue for high-energy acts. For example, we love Sigur Ros (Lolla 2012 performers), however, the space did not suit their style. That said, indie power-pop acts stole the show at this year’s festival. Fitz and the Tantrum’s midday set blew the lid off the place (metaphorically speaking). The set sparkled with personality — it didn’t hurt that the lead singer continually thanked Chicagoans for kick-starting their career. Other favorite sets included Spoon and Young the Giant.

Great Food & Festival Flair: Chicago…not the best winter city. While concerts and festivals abound all over the Chi in summertime, winter activities consist of pretty much one thing: eating at new restaurants. We’ve got to stay warm somehow. Lollapalooza’s Chow Town brings together great bites from all over town for everyone to enjoy, local or otherwise. Didn’t get a chance to try that new restaurant in the four degree weather in January? Pick up a quick bite while you are waiting to see your favorite band. With an insane variety of options at fair-ish prices by festival standards, the Lolla food is definitely a highlight.

We are very, totally over flower crowns and frat jerseys. Sorry festival chicks and bros, let’s go for a more original look next year. What did surprise and delight us were the variety of fun festival “identifiers” people took to carrying around; to help them stand out in the crowd, to find friends, to express their own personal ridiculousness. Our personal favorites? A cardboard cutout of Kevin Malone from The Office, and Gary Busey’s floating head — people were crazy creative.

The Lowlights

Too-Packed Shows: Going to Lollapalooza, expecting huge crowds at shows is normal. However, the Iggy Azalea show seemed on the verge of too packed. As we tried our best to inch toward Iggy-Iz herself at Perry’s Stage, the atmosphere felt sour. Tear-stained faces were spotted around the perimeter. Teenage girls had panic attacks due to the massive size of the crowd and elbowing. It’s probably due to the fact that she hadn’t yet exploded at the time of her booking last year. Still, it took a few deep breaths to fully recover. Iggy herself? A beast. A flurry of energy ripping across the stage.

Please. Please. Be Careful: We saw far too many people being carried off on stretchers — falling, or hurting themselves. The festival itself does a great job of making medical help readily available to all concert goers. Have fun, please! But if you cannot keep hydrated, keep your wits about you, or cannot keep yourself out of harm’s way, really think hard about drinking or ingesting anything before you throw yourself into a crowd of thousands in the summer heat. Please. Also — a note to very intoxicated people — please attempt a semblance of concert etiquette. If you’re smoking a cigarette in a huge crowd of people, you might burn someone. Be cool, seriously.

So that’s a wrap! Here’s to Lolla 2015; hope to see you there.

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