Lollapalooza 2025 - Four Day Recap

8/7/2025

Presented by Bobby Talamine and Fiza Javid
Photography by Bobby Talamine

Still catching my breath from exactly one week ago on Thursday, and the three days that followed in regards to all things Lollapalooza 2025.
Certain bands and artists stick with you days after, whether it be the headliners, or the amazing undercard from when the gates opened daily until the late afternoon.
What follows is something a little different, something that encapsulates that feeling of not letting go, and celebrating the positives (which are many).
So what follows are snippets and nuggets pertaining to day, in chronological order, with a few pictures pertaining to the thoughts of the bands and artists highlighted.

Lollapalooza Day One - Thursday July 31st

Cage the Elephant.
Talk about a band that fights.
A band on constant trying to prove themselves, like over and over and over.
Like the Shultz brothers are on a mission en masse, ramping up the high energy, riveting the crowd on constant, wasting no time whatsoever getting their point across with glee.
Their set, at like 6:45 or so- doesn't matter if it's day or night with them.
Same with their songs, from a deep well of a catalog, all brave and front and center, with bravado.
Like previous Lolla performances of yore, just so damn memorable.

Girl Tones.
From the BMI Stage, at 1pm.
Early start to the day, and it doesn't matter.
Sisters Kenzie and Laila- they know how to RAWK, and RAWK some more.
Cool thing about the BMI Stage- nothing fancy production wise, in regards to lighting and aesthetics.
Makes you focus on the music, like you're in the Empty Bottle or Bottom Lounge witnessing a band who you'll remember years after, making a name for themselves, proving themselves.
Their set- high energy incendiary.

The Blessed Madonna.
As far as DJ's, appearing early on at the Perry's Stage (renamed on Thursday as the "Dollapalooza Stage, in regards to the headliner Dom Dolla).
The Blessed Madonna- just so badass, so celebratory, always presenting a wicked house infused throwdown, even in the blazing sun at 4:30 in the afternoon.
That she brought out a few of the finest from Chicago's drag scene front and center speaks volumes as well, adding to the overall celebratory mood and making a statement yet again in amping up the mood and atmosphere.
Her performance, her track selection throughout- just so badass.

Lollapalooza Day Two- Friday August 1st

All roads lead to Olivia Rodrigo, headlining Lolla day 2 from the T-Mobile Stage.
Such a set.
20 songs total with encore.
Intro opening through the PA- The Go Go's "We Got the Beat".
Nice and loud.
Like you know where her hearts at with artists and musicians she admires.
Talk about the feel goods, even before she hits the stage.

Midway through her set, she brings out the boys in Weezer as well, playing songs such as "Buddy Holly", and "Say it Ain't So", renditions thereof spot on, blessed with tons of enthusiasm.
Olivia is well aware as of now in establishing a rapport with her audience, no matter the gargantuan size, such as this night headlining at Lollapalooza.
Everything about her set, her songs, her presentation- just so damn ambitious, just so joyful and inviting.

Bleachers.
Jack Antonoff of Bleachers- always up for the show, always up to entertain, entertain wholeheartedly.
Another set from Day Two at Lolla that was supercharged, songs written for every occasion imaginable, a live performance that sometimes had the feel of a pop up show outside a 1950's diner parking lot, and yet masterfully encased in the present.

Otoboke Beaver.
Japanese punk rock that's brazen, high energy, even if the gigantic Bud Light Stage looks like it could overwhelm them at any minute.
Hard to conquer a stage like that, with a band that has the look and feel of enjoying playing at sweaty and gnarly smaller venues.
No matter,
They make fun while having fun in the enjoyment of fun.
Their approach to playing- play fierce.
All four of them.
Lots of blistering guitar shreds followed by walloping drums, with a singer who can screech with the best of them.
Such a band, such a memorable set.

Lollapalooza Day Three- Saturday August 2nd.

Clairo,
Such a mesmerizing and chill kind of set for late Saturday afternoon with Clairo.
Everything presented as lo-fi, everything crafted as if playing with best friends in your backyard after a day of picnicking and having fun.
Elements of gentle instrumentals, followed by whimsical singing on a warm summer day.
Undeniable warmth pervades to overall mood throughout her set, walking away feeling refreshed and cleansed followed by spiritual uplift.

Chance the Rapper.
Talk about a surprise appearance on the Perry's Stage, inbetween acts no less, with maybe fifteen minutes at most to market and promote a new release "Star Line", out on August 15th.
The time allotted for us was minimal in regards to photography, but still, what I witnessed was a guy who utilized his short time to maximum effect, like trailblazing through snippets of songs live from the upcoming release, with some occasional chatter and explanations.
Have to say it was impressive what he tried to convey in such a short period of time.

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.
A full orchestra from the Tito's Stage, on a early evening at 7:45 for start time.
Amazing, booking this wonderful orchestra at Lollapalooza, led by conductor Allen Tinkham.
What did the audience get?
Starting off with Strauss, "Also Sprach Zarathusttra".
Followed by Shostakovich. Followed by Stravinsky.
You get the picture.
All of it (and then some), presented with heart, with focus, and the sound- just beautiful.
Just so captivating.
Absolutely amazing, their entire set.

Lollapalooza Day Four- Sunday August 3rd.

A$AP Rocky.
Headlining the Bud Light Stage to close out Lolla Day Four.
The urgency of his message- just pay attention exhilarating and exhausting (of the positive kind).
A$AP's use of a bullhorn as a lead microphone speaks volumes in regard to conveyance of message, and the importance thereof.
Yes, it's a show of course, with tons of vertical pyro to prove a point, but also to prove a point- the angst, the anxiety within.
Compelling when you think of it- urgency of message followed by wicked stage aesthetics.

The Marias.
Another band led by Maria Zardoya, a lead singer that captivates, compels, seduces.
All with minimal energy, thoughts conveyed by gentleness and overall mood.
A performance that captivated to the end, barrier between audience and performer invisible, all the way to the back of the lawn.
You can't help but sink into the music.

BoyNextDoor.
The next sparkler in all things K- Pop.
That set of theirs- just full on energy.
Lightning from a bottle energy.
That they commanded a smaller stage in the blazing sun in the mid afternoon, with limited real estate stage wise to make their concise choreographed moves, with not a mistake or hiccup throughout, that speaks volumes on their appeal and drive, all the while making things look nonchalant.
Clearly one of the highlights from Lolla 2025.

Floweovlove.
Oh this girl is so so awesome.
So chic, so fun, so fashionable and proud.
Yes.
She definitely knows how to entertain, even with a limited set time, making do with unique props, like starting the show popping out from a gigantic and oh so fashionable handbag.

The Criticals.
Nashville rock at its finest, even at 1pm in the afternoon, led by a lead singer who has the look and appeal and demeanor of a Julian Casablancas mixed with Liam Gallagher.
That adds and ups the ante on the look and feel at any moment of a guy who could snap, go renegade, mix things up a bit.
Their set- danger is at every corner.
Make use of it, and also, watch your back.
Such a set from Sunday in the early afternoon.

Overall-
Of course there was more that was unique and fun to witness.
But about all of the above-
They hold special powers, all genres of music.
Such is the eclectic feel of Lollapalooza 2025 throughout all four days.

Presented By Bobby Talamine and Fiza Javid- JBTV Music Television Chicago

Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, Lollapalooza Day Four Recap, Jerry Bryant, JBTV Music Television, Grant Park, Chicago Live Music, Olivia Rodrigo, Bleachers, Chance the Rapper

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THE JBTV BLOG

Lollapalooza 2025 - Four Day Recap

Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, Lollapalooza Day Four Recap, Jerry Bryant, JBTV Music Television, Grant Park, Chicago Live Music, Olivia Rodrigo, Bleachers, Chance the Rapper

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