2024-08-02 10:10:01
CHICAGO (WLS) — Lollapalooza is back!
The four-day music festival kicked off in Grant Park Thursday.
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Headliners include SZA, Megan Thee Stallion, Blink 182, and the Killers.
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“In 2022, I started coming here because of J-hope and TXT, and from there I just kept coming,” Lollapalooza-goer Nadeja Knox said. “So I’m very excited for this year to see Stray Kids.”
The festival is expected to draw more than an estimated 100,000 fans to Grant Park each day.
Lollapalooza-goers were seen sprinting for the stages Thursday, as the gates opened on the first day.
K-pop artists are among the more than 170 other acts booked on the event’s eight stages.
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“I love music,” Lollapalooza fan Max Cantu said. “Music is my passion. It’s my life, and I’m here to see Chappell Roan. I want to be here as she’s blowing up. I want to be there to say, ‘I was there.’ I want the experience.”
Chappell Roan drew massive crowds Thursday evening, decked out in a lot of pink.
Kesha was also on the schedule.
Thursday was Ashton Sullivan’s first time at the music festival.
“I’m excited, but also really nervous. But my main reason for coming is for K-pop Stray Kids; they are my favorite group,” Sullivan said.
Excited festival goers like Leila Shaffey arrived before dawn to make sure she and her friends were first in line to get a good place in front of center stage.
“Cause honestly for a K-pop stand, everybody gets here like a million years early. So, we’re like, we don’t know how it’s going to be, but we might as well get here early,” Shaffey said.
The show runs through Sunday night.
For more than 30 years, Lollapalooza has called Chicago home.
Since then, the unique lakefront music experience has not only become the country’s longest running music festival, but also one of its largest and most iconic.
“I’m excited to see what it’s all about and what people like so much about it,” Ella Haas said.
Malcolm Fletcher said he came all the way from Fayetteville, North Carolina, after his sister attended last year.
“I’m here for all of it: rain, shine, whatever,” he said.
And, if you’re heading downtown for Lollapalooza, city officials are urging people to use public transportation.
Metra is adding trains to accommodate concert goers.
The CTA said customers can rely on the Red and Blue Lines. Yellow Line service will also be extended until 1 a.m. each night.
Various bus routes will connect Metra trains at Union Station and Ogilvie with Grant Park.
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