This summer will be my fourth summer going to Lollapalooza. Living in Illinois, it has always been on my radar, and especially in high school, it was always something I dreamed of doing. I swear, the way they announce the lineup and immediately put tickets on sale two days later is evil. Big Lolla doesn’t want you to think about it too much and talk yourself out of spending $400 on a random Thursday in March. My first year going to Lolla, I was so nervous. I was watching every TikTok ever made about what to expect and what to bring. Let me break it down for you and tell you what has worked for me, since I am somewhat of a veteran now.
What Should I Bring?
Lollapalooza has a clear bag policy. UNLESS it is a hydration pack or a fanny pack. If you don’t mind carrying a backpack and you think that might be your thing, honestly, it seems like the best idea to bring a hydration backpack. Now, I have never brought one. Do as I say, not as I do, right? Every year, I have managed with a fanny pack. Some days I wore it crossbody, but I prefer to wear it on my waist. Bring the least amount of things as possible. You do not want to carry things, I promise. And you need all of your things secure; the more things you have, the more you have to lose.
Do not bring your wallet. The amazing thing about this festival is that you can pay for everything with your wristband. This is very dangerous for me because wristband money doesn’t seem like real money (it’s linked to my debit card lol). I stick my ID in the zipper pocket of my bag, and that’s all I take.
Some must-haves are hand sanitizer, a small rechargeable fan, a portable charger, and sunscreen. I always stick a little tube of cream sunscreen in my bag, even though I always forget to reapply. Again, don’t be like me. Another tip: don’t bring your fancy Touchland hand sanitizers. They will take those. Last year, the pile of confiscated Touchlands probably added up to hundreds of dollars. The mini fan will save your life, especially in crowds. Last year, we were blessed with the best Lolla weather I will probably ever experience, but the fan was still nice to have. It gets hot when you’re touching the people around you on all sides. Another must for me is a water bottle with a strap or some way to attach it to your bag or pants. I’ve always brought a very cheap plastic water bottle with a loop that I can feed through my fanny pack strap. There are free water stations everywhere, so having a refillable bottle is a must.
Crowds
I am not a fan of crowds. I actually hate them. But if you’re going to Lolla, you kind of have to suck it up. I don’t love pushing to the front of the herd, and I hate it even more when the people around me are attempting to push to the front. Unfortunately, I went down an Astroworld rabbit hole. It did not help that Netflix’s Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy came out right before my 3rd Lolla. The main stages, especially the T-Mobile stage, have hills on one side. The year I went alone, I stayed up there and watched lots of great sets from the comfort of these hills. I have experienced headliners both ways. I was very close for Billie Eilish my very first year, and that was so much fun and the crowd was great. I watched Tyler, The Creator from the hills and had a great view of the whole stage, and also had an amazing experience. So if you are going and think you’ll be miserable because you don’t want to shove your way to the front, don’t worry. This is my view from the hill with the packed crowd to see DJO.
Another thing I will note is that at almost every headliner that I have seen, they have displayed a warning and instructed everyone to take multiple steps back. At first, the big warning on the screen scared me, but I was pleasantly surprised when everyone complied and took steps backwards. It reassured me a bit that they were aware of the situation enough to show that warning. One thing I will warn you about is that people will pass out around you. Then the crowds will all chant help and wave flashlights. I found that very unsettling the first time I experienced it but the medics are normally pretty quick. Just be aware of your limits, especially if its hot.
Food
So, be prepared to spend a fortune on food. Unfortunately, that is unavoidable. My go-to, always and forever, will be a Chicago hot dog. Another thing I love and purchase very frequently is a churro from Xurro. I also had one of the best strawberry matchas of my life at Matcha Cita, but unfortunately, it was the most expensive thing I have ever consumed at Lolla. All of the food vendors are local, so if you are dying to try something but not for the Lolla prices, you could always venture out in the city another day. Find the biggest bang for your buck. For example, there are multiple vendors who have pizza, but one year, I found a place that sold a huge slice for the same price as the places with the regular size slices. Eat before and after. I suggest a big breakfast before and get dinner after. I personally can just snack throughout the day, and that helps me save some money.
Outfits
You will see every type of outfit at Lollapalooza, and I am not exaggerating. Without a doubt, you will see hundreds of frat bros in basketball jerseys. You will see people who look like they should be at a hardcore rave. When Korn was headlining, there were so many people in corn cob suits. Some people base their outfits on who they are most excited to see. I personally have always worn things I already own. Being in college, I have many “going out tops” that I have worn, and I think that’s just fine. Last year, I bought some cheap, cool tennis shoes so that I knew I would be comfortable and didn’t care about ruining them with mud, which I did. This year, I plan on putting more effort into my outfits, but what I love is that there isn’t any pressure to have the most expensive and unique outfits, as I see at Coachella.
Transportation
Again, I have experienced it every way. I have stayed in the suburbs and downtown. My absolute least favorite mode of transportation to and from is the Metra. Last year, I rode the train from Naperville to downtown, and it was interesting to say the least. They aren’t exaggerating about drunk teens on the train. One positive is that the train worker never actually scanned my ticket, so I may or may not have committed fare evasion all four days. Not admitting to or promoting a crime. But let’s just say they have other things to worry about.
My favorite way to get there is to stay in the suburbs and drive in. It is super convenient to park in the Millennium Garage, and they have a discount code for the weekend of Lolla. It’s nice to know that you have the ability to leave at any time. When I relied on the train, I would need to leave the headliner early and literally sprint to Union Station from Grant Park to be able to make the 10:30 train. Staying downtown was fun, and it was nice to be able to go out in Chicago after Lolla was over, but it is obviously very expensive.
Random Tips
- Order your merch beforehand – you won’t have to carry it around with you that way
- Put the phone down! Enjoy the moment. Not every set needs to be recorded. You know you won’t be rewatching them.
- Get there when it opens on Thursdays. Thursday always has the smallest crowds, and it is lots of fun to be there Thursday morning when it’s basically empty.
- Plan a meeting spot if you separate, your texts won’t always go through.
- Get a free bandana from the Toyota tent. This is great to have to sit on in the woodchips or put on your head to block the sun.
- Take advantage of the pop-ups and fun bar areas. Sometimes they have special drink options.
- Don’t put your phone in your back pocket.
All that being said, just let loose and have fun. Don’t put too much pressure on these four days. You will see plenty of shows, enjoy so much good music, and have a lot of fun times with your friends. Stay safe. Be aware of your surroundings and the people you are interacting with. Check in with the people you go with. Make sure they’re feeling good. Another piece of advice is not to be afraid to separate. Sometimes you won’t all want to see the same sets, and that is ok! As long as you’re being safe, I think it is so much fun to wander and explore on your own. I went two of the four days last year completely alone. It definitely had its cons, but overall, I had a great time by myself. If you can go to Lollapalooza, I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity!