Lana Del Rey closed out the 2023 Lollapalooza in a short white sundress, Hollywood glamour, and a stage full of production elements. Dancers, singers, not one but two flower swings, and a giant screen rolling dreamy video footage of Lana through the years was more than enough eye candy to go along with the music.
About a mile away on the other side of Chicago's Grant Park the Red Hot Chili Peppers were also bringing a grand finale to Lolla. Anthony, Flea and Chad first appeared at the festival 31 years ago and have headlined it several times.
And yet on Lana's side of the muddy park, just as many festival goers were lost in the seductive fantasyland Ms. Del Rey croons about.
Who had more watching them Sunday, the Chilis or Lana? It's not a competition. The singer has said on the record that the Red Hots are one of her biggest influences.
On her current album Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd. there's a song called "Peppers" that references Angelina Jolie and the funky LA quartet.
Me and my boyfriend listen to the Chili Peppers
We write hit songs without tryin’
like all the time, all the time
Sunday would have been the perfect time to live debut "Peppers" but alas that day has yet to come.
She did play three tracks from Ocean Blvd, starting the 90 minute show off with "A&W," and sprinkling "The Grants" and "Candy Necklace" among multiple faves from Born to Die, NFR, and Ultraviolence.
Every song was a singalong.
Those who waited in the soggy park couldn't help comparing the vibe of the crowd with that of another female artist drawing fanatical fans.
"How I felt at Lollapalooza, deep in the crowd, almost packed against the stage, surrounded by fans only discussing her music, was a total absorption I hadn’t felt since I was a teenager. When I hear Taylor Swift, I hear someone who wishes she wrote songs as good as Lana. I am not on the payroll — not yet — but Lana, if you need someone to refill your vape pen, I will quit this job," wrote Chicago Tribune columnist, Christopher Borrelli.
Apparently it was romantic enough for someone to pop the question.
And for someone to say heck yeah.
When Lana wrapped up the show with the rarely played "Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have," she invited the crowd to her next show in Arkansas.
And then she introduced her band and singers, and sang the plodding tune that ended with her being spun around and literally dragged off the stage by her handsome male dancers.
Flea needs to try that one soon.
After Arkansas, Lana jets to San Francisco for Outside Lands and then Mexico the following weekend. Tickets available here.
Still waiting for a proper US tour to support Ocean Blvd.
How about a weeklong residency at the Long Beach Arena, the city where that tunnel is?
