Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, Twenty One Pilots and the Strokes will be among the headliners when Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park on Aug. 1-4.
Also headlining: Tame Impala, Flume, the Chainsmokers and J Balvin. Unlike last year when seven of the eight headliners were returning to the festival, it’s a relatively fresh look this year at the top of the bill. Only the Strokes return as a headliner, after last performing in Grant Park in 2010. But it’s a mixed bag in terms of talent and glitter.
Grande has become a pop superstar, and Gambino released one of 2018’s signature songs, “This is America.” Reggaeton artist J Balvin collaborated on one of last year’s biggest hits with Cardi B, “I Like It.” But the absence of Cardi B, who was reportedly slated to play last year’s Lolla before she got pregnant and had to cancel all tour dates, is a disappointment.
Australian electronic artist Flume has risen fast; in 2013 he was a newcomer playing to a few dozen people at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Now he’s one of the most-indemand producer-DJ’s in the world.
The rock-pop representatives at the top are underwhelming: the Strokes are now a nostalgia act, and Twenty One Pilots and the Chainsmokers represent a washed out mainstream.
The festival announced 181 bands and artists Wednesday. Daily lineups will be announced at a later date, the festival said. Four-day passes ($340) are on sale at Lollapalooza.com. One-day tickets ($130) are not yet available.
Among the highlights in the tier below the headliners: Kacey Musgraves, who won the Grammy Award for album of the year (“Golden Hour”). The singer will make her first Lollapalooza appearance. And Janelle Monae will undoubtedly make the case that she should be a headliner the next time she’s booked to play the festival. Also providing spark are veteran MC’s Lil Wayne and Meek Mill.
The lower reaches of the bill include Sharon Van Etten, who is coming off her first album in five years, the brilliant “Remind Me Tomorrow”; hard-charging British quintet Idles; soulful singer-songwriter Emily King; and post-modern blues innovator Fantastic Negrito.
Among the artists representing Chicago are hip-hop soul-stirrer Saba and rising co-ed rockers Beach Bunny.
If you’re in need of a novelty act, there’s former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal making his musical comeback (two decades after his last album) with something called Honne 79 Diesel.
Here is the complete lineup of 181 bands and artists announced Wednesday:
Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, Twenty One Pilots, the Strokes, Tame Impala, Flume, the Chainsmokers, J Balvin, Kacey Musgraves, Lil Wayne, Janelle Monáe, Meek Mill, Hozier, Rufus du Sol, Gary Clark Jr., Tenacious D, 21 Savage, Death Cab for Cutie, the Revivalists, H.E.R., Maggie Rogers, Perry Farrell’s Kind Heaven Orchestra, Alesso, Gud Vibrations Vs Slugz Music, Louis the Child.
RL Grime, 6LACK, NF, Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Lil Baby, Gunna, King Princess, Madeon, Gryffin, San Holo, Snails, Fitz and the Tantrums, Judah & the Lion, Sheck Wes, Smino, Fisher, Lauren Daigle, Rosalia, Mitski, Bring Me the Horizon, J.I.D, Chevelle, FKJ, AJR, Lil Skies.
Boombox Cartel, Matoma, Deorro, Manic Focus, Whethan, Rich the Kid, Saba, Normani, Bishop Briggs, Hayley Kiyoko, Denzel Curry, Party Favor, Loud Luxury, Japanese Breakfast, Lane 8, Joji, Lennon Stella, Sharon Van Etten, Francis and the Lights, Chelsea Cutler, Yaeji, Idles, Conan Gray, Sigrid, Dean Lewis.
Masego, Hobo Johnson & The LoveMakers, Honne 79 Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), Bad Suns, Omar Apollo, Tierra Whack, Jeremy Zucker, (Sandy) Alex G, Calpurnia, Alec Benjamin, Still Woozy, Boy Pablo, Cautious Clay, Ghostemane, Pink Sweat$, shallou, Jade Bird, Said the Sky, Camelphat, Jonas Blue, CloZee, Mondo Cozmo, Magic City Hippies, the Band Camino.
Emily King, Men I Trust, Calboy, Yung Gravy, GothBoiClique, YBN Cordae, Svdden Death, Elephante, Opiuo, Ducky (Live), Fantastic Negrito, The Nude Party, G Flip, Bea Miller, half*alive, Ruston Kelly, Roy Blair, Picture This, Baynk, Slow Hollows, Tyla Yaweh, Ryan Beatty, KILLY, Slenderbodies, Wilderado.
Crizzly, Yultron, Cray, Whipped Cream, Max Frost, Bayonne, Dreamers, Houses, Shaed, Sam Fender, GG Magree, Born Dirty, Diablo, Beach Bunny, Arkells, Harry Hudson, Cousin Stizz, Role Model, nothing,nowhere, CharlesTheFirst, Shlump, Witt Lowry, Des Rocs, bülow, Malu Travejo.
Win and Woo, ilo ilo, Tayla Parx, Ama Lou, Russo, Yoshi Flower, Coi Leray, Willaris K, Age.Sex.Location, Evan Konrad, Upsahl, Wavedash, Bad Child, Lucas Dell’Abate, Illiterate Light, Liily, Tessa Violet, Yeek, The New Respects, Against the Current, Just Loud, Alexander 23, Jackie Foster, the Pop Ups, Andrés 123, Q Brothers, Falu’s Bazaar, Sonia de los Santos, Joaine Leeds & the Nightlights, DJ Amira and Kayla, School of Rock Allstars.
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