Day One of Lollapalooza 2025 has come to a close, and what an epic conclusion it was with Tyler, The Creator – fresh on the heels of the release of his stellar new album Don’t Tap the Glass – closing out the massive T-Mobile Stage while Luke Combs delighted fans with his earnest country songs over on the north-side of Chicago’s Grant Park. Gracie Abrams, Sierra Ferrell, and Cage the Elephant also put on unforgettable performances on Thursday, July 31 – a day that was jam-packed with top-tier artists.
If you know anything about Don’t Tap the Glass, you’ve surely heard that it is the intention of Tyler, The Creator for the album to be listened to loud, while moving. “Driving, running, any type of movement is recommended to maybe understand the spirit of it. Only at full volume,” is what the artist recommended in an Instagram post at the time of the release.
Lolla fans got the memo and when “Big Poe” kicked-in at the start of Tyler’s headlining set, the entire crowd erupted. Chromakopia (2024) was also featured heavily with “Sticky,” “St. Chroma,” and “Like Him” serving as highlights of the night.
Earlier on the T-Mobile Stage, Gracie Abrams – who inspired fans from across the country to fly out to Chicago for Lollapalooza – surprised festival-goers by bringing out Robyn to perform her iconic dance masterpiece, “Dancing on My Own.” Barry Can’t Swim, Magdalena Bay, and Azzecca – who put on a stellar set at Dollapalooza, AKA Perry’s Stage – were also among the most buzzed-about sets on the south-side of the park.
Across the park, before Luke Combs closed out the Bud Light Stage, Sierra Ferrell wowed fans with her unique brand of bluegrass music that honors the old while still feeling completely new. Starting with the fiddle duet that ushers in “I Could Drive You Crazy,” Ferrell went on to share songs like “Bells of Every Chapel” and “Money Train.”
She also performed several cover songs including “Chittlin’ Cookin’ Time in Cheatham County” – an Arthur Smith Trio tune that made Ferrell cry the first time she heard it – John Anderson’s “Years,” and a rousing rendition of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” that conjured the sonic soul of Janis Joplin to a stunning degree. Ferrell also played her Trail of Flowers standout “American Dreaming” on a Bud Light Stage adorned with flowers, mushrooms, and other flora.
“So, my friend had this idea for a song that was called ‘American Dreaming.’ And I don’t really know what to say, because what is the American dream,” said Ferrell introducing the tune. “I don’t think it’s supposed to be going to work early in the rising to come home late at night to struggle to make ends meet. We’re the richest country in the world. Why is everyone living paycheck to paycheck? These are things that we gotta think about. And it’s not just here. It’s all over the world. There’s chaos everywhere. We’re the ones to pick-up all the pieces, and it’s not fair. But you know what? One thing we can do is do the best we can to heal, to be the light where we are, to shine a light, to build a great community, because we have to be there for each other.”
Following Ferrell’s performance, Cage the Elephant – the Kentucky rock band known for their live shows comprised of Matthew Shultz [vocals] and Brad Shultz [guitar], Daniel Tichenor [bass], Jared Champion [drums], Nick Bockrath [lead guitar], and Matthan Minster [guitar, keys, backing vocals] – literally brought heat to the stage as front man Matt Shulz leapt into the air as streams of fire shot up behind him early in the set. Both Shulz brothers ran through the pits and came into the crowd throughout the performance with Brad at one point spotting Lollapalooza founder Perry Ferrell in the center pit and rushing down to jam with him for a quick chorus. “Spiderhead,” “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” “Mess Around,” and a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” – a touching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne who was recently laid to rest – were just a few of the hits the band shared during Lollapalooza, a fest that they credit with helping them get their start.
“Chicago is definitely among one of our favorite cities in the entire world, maybe our favorite… And I truly mean this, each person this band considers our start to [be] here at Lollapalooza in 2007 or something like that. We played right after Lady Gaga, that’s the truth. That’s actually the truth. And Brad threw up on stage,” said Matt Shultz. “But anyways, thank you all so much for supporting us throughout the years through the highs and lows. And the lows and the lows and the highs. The highs and the lows and everything in between. Thank you all so much.”
Girl Tones, Ratboys, Magdalena Bay, Role Model, and Xdinary Heroes also were Day 1 highlights of Lollapalooza 2025.
Lollapalooza will continue through Aug. 3. Click here to learn more information about all of the festival fun.