Music
Lollapalooza 2018 Lineup Breakdown
Lolla is back, returning to Grant Park in Chicago August 2-5 with a lineup filled with stars — The Weeknd and Bruno Mars — and fast rising artists, like Kali Uchis, Billie Eilish and Brockhampton.
What: Lollapalooza 2018
Where: Chicago
When: Aug. 2-5
Tickets: On sale now
1. Four days, four star headliners
2018's edition of Lollapalooza is a four-day affair, so it's only right that the bill is headlined by four of music's biggest acts: Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Jack White and the return of Arctic Monkeys .
Mars and The Weeknd need no introduction to anyone keeping tabs on contemporary music — they're two of the game's biggest hitmakers and should pull the weekend's biggest crowds. Mars may have been music's biggest star over the past 12 months, winning Album of the Year honors at the Grammys for "24K Magic." Undeniable albums cuts like "That's What I Like" and "Finesse" should have the Chicago crowd moving. And Mars knows how to translate his hits to the biggest stages — a festival performance may be a rare booking for the megastar, but if he can rock the Super Bowl, he can rock Grant Park properly.
The Weeknd's only 28, but he's already a festival veteran — last year's run of massive summer sets has him prepared to own the Lolla stage with tracks from across his already expansive discography. There's new music to be excited about, too, as he'll likely play tracks from his recent "My Dear Melancholy," EP — it's a return to the dark, brooding sound that he built his name on, so songs like "Call Out My Name" will have diehards losing their minds.
The Weeknd
© Christopher Polk/BET/Getty Images for BET
Rock fans have plenty to be excited for, too — Detroit's Jack White will hit the main stage fresh off the release of his latest album "Boarding House Reach." It's his first solo release in four years, so expect a revamped live show full of the virtuosic guitar work that White's known for.
And there are few headlining events more exciting than a proper reunion tour — Brit rockers Arctic Monkeys are back, working on an album and ready to tear up festival stages all summer. By the time Lolla rolls around they should be in fine form with a few festival performances under their belt.
Arctic Monkeys
© Gabriel Olsen / Red Bull Content Pool
2. Rappers or rockstars?
In 2018, hip-hop is the sound of modern music — it's no surprise that top festivals like Lollapalooza are not just booking top hip-hop talent, but artists who can own a massive festival stage like the most dynamic of rockstars.
Lil Uzi Vert's 2017 Lolla set was short lived — a massive downpour caused the festival to evacuate only a few songs into his set — but one of the weekend's most exciting. The "XO TOUR Llif3" rapper has all the trappings of a superstar — effortless charisma, dance moves for days, a natural rapport with his fans and, above anything else, boundless energy. If you're looking to turn up (and the weather holds), don't miss his set.
And for pure spectacle, it's hard to find a hip-hop act more stunning than Travis Scott. His set features a massive stage set, complete with pyrotechnics and a giant animatronic bird that he rides while performing — his vision rivals that of the most inventive live rock bands. A 2018 festival set should feature tracks from 2017's Quavo-collab album "Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho," and might even feature an updated, expand visual experience (but really, what could beat the bird?).
There's more to love further down the bill, including Brockhampton — the boyband (yes, boyband, not rap group) has only just begun booking headlining tours and festival stages and they're already pushing the envelope for live hip-hop acts. Their set features energetic performances from each of the group's numerous artists and a visual aesthetic that carries over themes from their already-iconic DIY music videos. Catch their set and have your mind blown by their legion of teenaged devotees — there are few acts on the Lolla bill with a fanbase this devoted.
Travis Scott
© Lauren Gesswein / Red Bull Content Pool
3. Favorites in the fine print
Music festivals are the perfect place to discover rising talent you might have missed otherwise. Take some time to roam and check out whatever sounds catch your ear, but keep an eye out for Cuco, Superorganism and Billie Eilish.
Cuco is an LA singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer (the list of skills goes on) who's crafted an intimate sound all his own. His music spreads English and Spanish lyrics over a chilled-out, dreamy canvass and has already built him an impressive, dedicated fanbase — and he's only 19.
Eilish is another artist with a vision and impact that exceed her age. At only 16, she pens stunning songs on love and loss with remarkable depth. She's already selling out European tours, and it's only a matter of time before she climbs toward the top of festival lineup posters.
And if you're searching for what the future of music looks like, look no further than Superorganism. The DIY indie-pop collective has quickly become one of the music industry's most talked about acts, and it's come as no surprise — they make approachable music that never loses the quirky, off-kilter charm that makes them special. The band is relatively new to performing on massive festival stages, so it's exciting to think about how their technicolor pop will come to life with a full band on the Lolla stage. Catch them now and watch them grow, well, Super — right before your eyes.
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