Lollapalooza has officially begun in Grant Park. This year’s lineup is dominated by women artists; of the eight headliners this year, five are women. The first of this year’s women headliners, Lorde, takes to the stage Thursday.
Also headlining Thursday is Naperville’s own John Summit, who rose to global DJ stardom in the past few years after he would moonlight as a DJ while working as an accountant.
Other artists performing Thursday include singer Sombr, SB19 — the first Filipino boy band to play the fest — and local band The Braymores.
The music started promptly at noon with Kim Theory, a California teenage rock band, which quickly had the crowd moshing in front of the Airbnb stage, as their guitar noise could be heard a block away.
Fans enjoy walking the grounds on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Early on, a sizable amount of festivalgoers lined up for two key attractions. One was the Snapchat Charm Bar, where custom-made keychains have become a quick Lolla must-have.
The other popular pick is the artist merch tent with lines snaking around Buckingham Fountain. Among the most highly coveted goods appeared to be merchandise from SB19, the first Filipino boy band to perform at the festival. Fans came ready to mark the occasion.
WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times will be covering the festival all weekend. Here are some highlights.
Shane Michael Boose of Sombr hugs a fan on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Shane Michael Boose of Sombr performs with 5 Seconds of Summer on the first day of Lollapalooza.
Shane Michael Boose of Sombr, pictured here performing on the T-Mobile stage on Thursday, went from making music in the safe confines of his New York bedroom to playing the globe’s biggest stages.
Shane Michael Boose of Sombr has been open about his struggles with self-image, appealing to a young fanbase with vulnerable anthems.
The group 5 Seconds of Summer performs with Sombr on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Shane Michael Boose of Sombr arrived in a muscle car to perform on the T-Mobile stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Shane Michael Boose of Sombr performed a set that included signature hits “Undressed” and “12 to 12.”
Shane Michael Boose of Sombr performs on the T-Mobile stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Blood Orange performs on the Bud Light stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Blood Orange is fresh off composing the score for Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite.”
Fans dance and cheer as Blood Orange performs on the Bud Light stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Blood Orange performs on the Bud Light stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park. The 40-year-old artist adeptly moved from cello to guitar, keyboards and bass.
Blood Orange performs on the Bud Light stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park. The setlist ran the gamut, with tracks from the artist’s 2011 debut, “Coastal Grooves,” through his latest album, “Essex Honey.”
Blood Orange performs on the Bud Light stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Festivalgoers dance as Boys Noize performs on the Perry’s stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Boys Noize performs on the Perry’s stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Boys Noize performs on the Perry’s stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Festivalgoers dance as Boys Noize performs on the Perry’s stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Elizabeth Nichols performs on the BMI stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Elizabeth Nichols performs on the BMI stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Festivalgoers walk near the Perry’s stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Felip Jhon Suson of SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Josh Cullen of SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Fans scream as SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Stell of SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Josh Cullen of SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Fans scream as SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Fans wait in long lines to buy merch on the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Thursday, July 30, 2026.
The Braymores perform on the BMI stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park. The band hails from Barrington. “Close enough, it’s the same thing, right?” singer Matt Tilles bravely posited to the crowd, surprisingly to little dissent.
The Braymores perform a set on the BMI stage that swirled with ‘90s Wicker Park rock edge. The hazy surf rock brought Twins Peak vibes and a pride that can only come from playing the biggest music event in your backyard.
Fans gather to watch The Braymores perform on the BMI stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park.
The Braymores perform on the BMI stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park. “This is the best day of our lives,” said singer Matt Tilles.
Fans gather to watch The Braymores perform on the BMI stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park. The band has carefully cultivated a homegrown crowd in recent years.
The Braymores perform on the BMI stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park. Before closing the set, the band also had time for a solid cover of Dr. Dog’s “Where’d All the Time Go” before wrapping.
The Braymores perform on the BMI stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park. The band will head back to another local stage at House of Blues Aug. 21.
Thousands flock to Grant Park on Thursday for day one of Lollapalooza.
Festivalgoers walk on the first day of Lollapalooza on Thursday in Grant Park.
Hand sanitizers, ear plugs and lip balm are for free on the first day of Lollapalooza on Thursday in Grant Park.
A Naloxone booth on the first day of Lollapalooza on Thursday in Grant Park.
Audrey Cymone of Kim Theory performs on the Airbnb stage on the first day of Lollapalooza on Thursday in Grant Park.
Audrey Cymone (right) and Lucy Fraser of Kim Theory perform on the Airbnb stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Lula Seifert of Kim Theory performs on the Airbnb stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Audrey Cymone of Kim Theory performs on the Airbnb stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
Zoey Su of Kim Theory performs on the Airbnb stage on the first day of Lollapalooza on Thursday in Grant Park.
Audrey Cymone of Kim Theory performs on the Airbnb stage on the first day of Lollapalooza.
A festivalgoer holds a Philippine flag during Lollapalooza on Thursday.
Festivalgoers walk past a Heinz installation on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
People enter the festival grounds on the first day of Lollapalooza on Thursday in Grant Park.
Fans wait in long lines to buy merch on the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Thursday, July 30, 2026.
Fans wait in long lines to buy merch on the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Thursday, July 30, 2026.
Fans enjoy walking the grounds on the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Thursday, July 30, 2026.
Contributing: Selena Fragassi, Morgan Ciocca, Erica Thompson
