Some news outlets called it Rainypalooza, and some of the sets had to be shortened and even canceled.
But somehow almost everyone who was supposed to perform did so in Grant Park at the 35th Lollapalooza in Chicago.
And while there were way more highlights than these, here are a few moments that will always mean Lolla '26.
Thursday
Audrey Hobert went next level
Gracie Abrams’ bestie, who co-wrote her songs “Risk,” “Blowing Smoke,” “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” “Let It Happen,” “I Knew It, I Know You,” “Normal Thing” and “That’s So True,” and whom Olivia Rodrigo recently crowned the “artist of the summer,” lived up to the hype Thursday (7/30) with a contagious set that had the entire crowd singing right back at her.
The audience was right there with her for "Sex in the City" and "Wet Hair" but went HAM during her breakthrough single, “Sue Me,” -- which she performed twice.
Your girl's blowing up, get tix to her North American tour here.
Friday
Zara brought out a fan named London
Artists inviting fans on stage to sing a song or play their guitar or in the case of Swedish pop superstar Zara Larsson - to dance with them - is nothing new.
But it can be risky. Amateurs can get sudden stage fright and freeze up and then everyone's embarrassed. On Friday (7/31), Zara's dancers pointed out London in the crowd to come on stage and do the "Lush Life" dance.
London did not disappoint. Quite a feat because she has some moves of her own.
The hard-grinding Zara (who has already done 97 gigs this year) will be playing the festival circuit all over the world this summer and fall including Rock in Rio, All Things Go, and many more.
Tickets available at Zara's website.
Charli XCX was everywhere and it was nice
On Thursday Charli popped into Lorde's headlining set for "Girl, so Confusing," which is a delight every single time they do that together.
The next day Charli headlined herself and live debuted "House," "Dying For You," and a complete version of "No One Lasts Forever."
Then Sunday she celebrated her 34th birthday.
Charli will be on tour through October so you can share your belated birthday greetings with her in person. Get tix via her website.
Sunday
Cortis rocked out to Turnstile
KPop stars Cortis were feeling it in the VIP during Turnstile's set on Sunday (8/2).
In fact they were loving it so much, the punk band's drummer Daniel Fang tossed one of his drum sticks at Martin, Juhoon, Hyeon, and Keonho and when they nabbed it, they went wild.
Afterwards the boy band shared the relatable magic moment with their fans. Showing that, yes, idols are just like us.
Catch Cortis on tour as they play some major cities in North America for the next two weeks before heading back to Korea. Get tix on their website.
aespa live debuted "Switchblade" with Ty Dolla $ign
Many in the US do not understand how popular KPop groups like Cortis and Aespa are. Cortis has close to 7 million YouTube followers while Aespa have two million more - and growing now that Americans are catching on.
Aespa is so loved by their fans that their "video" of their collab with Ty Dolla $ign has racked up 1.8 million views even though there's no images of the all-female group or Ty.
All you get when you go to the thing is a picture of the album cover, Lemonade, which dropped two months ago. Still, the fans drank it up.
On Sunday (8/2) the women, who had already delivered an excellent set, live debuted "Switchblade" with Ty.
Expect American audiences to embrace Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning.
Tickets for their Synk World Tour can be found on their website.
all weekend
The Weather
For years we have seen and heard about foul weather bum rushing the show without a wristband and usually it ends with muddy clothes, fun stories, and rainbows. Like the first Woodstock.
That's sorta what happened in Chicago.
At the beginning of the fest the kids were avoiding the mud and keeping their clothes clean, which made Gen X snicker.
Over time the vibe became too much to resist, and attendees chilled out.
Perhaps someone told them Muddypalooza is a bit of a tradition harking back to the late 1900s.
Eventually the youths really got into it.
First the boys used it to get their violent aggressions out.
Then something a lot more loving and fun broke out - which is what Midwest Nice is really all about.
Be among the first to know about when Lolla '27 tix go on sale. Sign up on the Lollapalooza website.
