From Kendrick to Skrillex, Lollapalooza has been home to thousands of artists spanning multiple genres. As a native Chicagoan for over 20 years and Lolla-enthusiast, I’ve seen the chaos from an insider and outsider perspective. Luckily, Lolla is a pretty beginner-friendly festival, but there are still a few things to look out for this August.
You will be walking… a LOT
The festival covers several blocks in downtown Chicago. While you won’t be battling dust like Coachella-goers, you will be fighting the humidity, heat and hardship of traveling from T-Mobile to Budlight (the brand-sponsored stage names). Your favorite artists are always at the same time, except they’re on opposite sides of the festival, so plan how long you stay at one stage. A lot of people wear beater shoes for a more comfortable experience, but I’ve worn cowboy boots for a few days and miraculously survived.Â
Chicago summers are brutal
Being right by the lake does not make Grant Park cooler during Lolla. At all. Be prepared for the sun to be beaming down on you for at least eight hours, so bring SPF. For those of you who are not accustomed to midwestern summers, you’re going to want to stay in the shade as much as possible. There are plenty of trees around the park, but you also can get VIP passes or use the T-Mobile lounge. There are plenty of water stations and fans blowing mist to help, so hydration is easy if you stay on top of it.
Teenage boys will stand in front of you, and they LOOOOVE to mosh
I see more high schoolers than people who are over 21, and some of them are very respectful. However, you’re going to run into a pack of shirtless teenage boys who are too excited to notice that they keep rubbing their sweaty backs on you. It can get bad when a song comes on and they decide to make a hole in the crowd to mosh. Don’t get me wrong, I love that they do this when I’m at Perry’s or listening to A$AP Rocky, but if you’re not into the moshing scene, stay away from the center of the crowd.
Don’t expect to catch the first train, or the second
Unless you live downtown, you’re going to be taking the CTA or the Metra, and so is everyone else. Plan your exit accordingly because when it gets dark, you’re going to want to go home and sleep. And the Ubers are also going to take forever or cost you a fortune.Â
And finally, be aware of your surroundings!!!
Over 100,000 people go to Lolla every day, so it’s easy to get lost in the crowd or get pickpocketed. Wear a fanny pack on the front of your chest so you can see it. My friends and I look for the bathroom sign near the T-Mobile stage if we need to meet up. Your phone isn’t going to work very well, so having a spot to go to is a must. Besides water and sunscreen, consider packing narcan because there is a big drug and weed scene at the festival.
Whether you choose to go for one day or four, Lollapalooza is an amazing experience for all ages. See you this summer!