Lollapalooza 2019: what you missed

By Kendall Polidori, Staff Reporter

Steven Nunez
Smino brought out Chance the Rapper as a special guest during his set at Tito’s Handmade Vodka stage to perform “Eternal” Aug. 3.

After four days of headline performances, local food vendors and festival fashion trends, Chicago’s Grant Park wrapped up another year of Lollapalooza, and it was one for the books.

Here are the top eight things you missed at the 2019 festival including music, fashion and entertainment.

Surprise! It’s Chance The Rapper

Although Chicago’s own Chance the Rapper was not on the festival’s lineup this year, he made as much of an impact on attendees as any other scheduled performer. Chance made special appearances at a number of sets throughout the fours days including Calboy, Smino and Death Cab for Cutie.

While many people were surprised to see Chance perform with Death Cab for Cutie, a rock-focused band from Bellingham, Washington, fans familiar with his latest album “The Big Day” were more than thrilled to hear the track “Do You Remember” for the first time live.

Keeping Lolla safe

Throughout each day of the festival, security guards had more on their plate than expected after a number of attempts from eager fans to get on the grounds without having wristbands. While this happens each year, there was more of an effort Aug. 2 when dozens of people sprinted to jump the fence at Michigan and Balbo Avenue.

A number of videos showed nearly 50 people making it over the fence successfully, but with this year’s enhanced security it was later said in a press release by officials that no one actually gained entry and all offenders will be charged with criminal trespass.

For two years in a row, a festival-goer has died after attending Lollapalooza. This year, an attendee suffered a medical emergency while watching a show near Perry’s Stage, according to city officials. The 24-year-old man was transported to a hospital where he later died. Officials are investigating the cause of death.

Steven Nunez
Fans climb the Lollapalooza balloon stand to get a better view of the performers.

Tie dye, space buns, jerseys, oh my!

Fashion and outfits for music festivals seemed to follow the latest trends, and Lollapalooza was no different. Anyone could point out a festival-goer on the street by their outfit.

This year, fans embraced the same colorful outfits with tie dye pants, socks, shirts, bandanas, you name it. Along with that, people just walking past the event’s perimeters may have mistaken it with a sporting event due to the number of basketball jerseys sported.

Hair trends also made a major appearance with endless space buns, double french braids and lots and lots of glitter.

Local bands make their mark

Although this year’s festival featured less than 10 Chicago-based performances, the ones in attendance made sure people knew their names, including the indie-pop band Beach Bunny.

Playing on the festival’s opening day on one of the smaller stages, the band brought in what appeared to be one of the biggest crowds than on any other stage at that time. A good amount of them were belting out the lyrics to Beach Bunny’s songs along with the band, and dancing to the energetic tunes. People even repped custom Beach Bunny gear, giving the local band more traction than ever with their first Lollapalooza performance.

Set entertainment breaks

Aside from nearly 200 live performances, this year’s festival brought a different experience to attendees with a variety of fun and entertainment in between sets, including television screenings and game kiosks.

Near the American Eagle stage, people got the opportunity to relax and view the free early screening of the HBO series The Righteous Gemstones, starring Danny McBride.

Attendees also got the chance to witness YouTuber and livestreamer Ninja play against a number of artists in the Red Bull Outpost. Attendees could also play free game kiosks of their own for a chance to compete against Ninja.

Steven Nunez
Ninja livestreamed Fortnite all weekend at Lollapalooza.

“Afternoon Delight”

During a late afternoon performance on the Tito’s stage from indie-pop musician Boy Pablo, fans got the treat of hearing a covering of “Afternoon Delight” sung completely a Capella. And for a mid-set break, his band gave the audience a synchronized dance performance, inviting everyone to join.

During the band’s most-streamed song, “Dance, Baby!,” Boy Pablo had the whole audience sit or kneel down until keyboardist Eric Tryland cued everyone to get up and dance with a note played on his keyboard. The result was a huge, sweaty dance party.

Dietary exclusive

Eating at the festival this year was no battle for people with food restrictions as almost every one of the 38 food vendors offered attendees gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. People could enjoy food ranging from a meatless burger and a falafel shawarma to some chicken fingers and deep dish pizza.

Bad Suns with a view

Lollapalooza attendees embrace the extraordinary with energy and excitement, and one fan during the Bad Suns’ set on the Bud Light stage Saturday proved his eagerness for a better experience by climbing to the top of the sound pillar in the middle of the audience area.

Better yet, the attendee went unnoticed by security for over five minutes as he happily sat on the platform while enjoying the music and the elevated view of the city.