As a young person from the Chicago suburbs, it’s almost a rite of passage for me to attend Lollapalooza. And this year, I’m doing exactly that for the first time.
Having never been to this music festival before, I’ve been doing all of my research: scrolling through their Instagram, looking at previous lineups and of course planning my outfits. But the more I think about it, the more I start to wonder whether or not I’ll end up becoming a major music festival person, especially with how much I love concerts currently.
As I prepare to attend this festival, I imagine what it will feel like to walk into Grant Park surrounded by thousands of people, hearing music at various stages and feeling the anticipatory atmosphere, knowing I’ll get to hear some of my favorite artists live, like Lorde, Tate McRae and Blood Orange.
The air will probably feel electric. It will be filled with excitement, music and the constant chaotic movement of people my age.
At a traditional concert, and I’ve been to many of these, you typically see one artist with an opener. Surrounded by many other fans, the typical concert can be quite predictable. Setlists can always be found online, and they only last for a few hours.
A music festival, however, is like a whole new world.
Festivals like Lollapalooza or Coachella bring a sense of freedom and excitement that is far more than a normal concert. There’s such a wide range of artists performing that almost anyone is bound to find something they’d listen to at a festival. In fact, you might even hear an artist at a festival you’d never heard of before and leave as a new fan.
Unlike the traditional concert, festivals are entirely centered around your own freedom. Instead of just going and seeing one artist, you get to plan your whole day around multiple artists, seeing who you want, whenever you want. You can go from stage to stage, get food from food trucks and just discover so many new artists. There’s a newfound sense of independence that is unlike going to a typical concert.
Festivals also foster a greater sense of community. There are people who attend every year, bonded by their love for music, energy and the overall experience. Festivals allow people to express themselves freely, whether through the artists they watch or the outfits they wear.
Festivals are also largely defined by their overall aesthetic, and their visual expression just makes them so iconic. I know every year, I personally love seeing people’s Coachella outfits. Fashion just brings a greater sense of creativity and freedom of expression that you usually wouldn’t get to see anywhere else.
Festivals are by no means perfect. They can get overly crowded, very chaotic at times and can be overwhelming and exhausting. But nonetheless, they’re still memorable, even if some of those memories are of the stressful parts. You’re not just there to stand and watch, but to explore and navigate an entirely new environment.
As I prepare to attend my very first Lollapalooza, I’ve come to the realization that I’m not just preparing for some concerts, but for the entire experience, and I can’t wait for August to come around.