Remember during the 1990s when Perry Farrell had an idea for an alternative festival that would expose people across America to previously unheralded artists? Well that dream is dead now. Now, Farrell’s creation, Lollapalooza, is a music festival for the biggest gasbags left breathing in the music industry. The show takes place at Chicago’s Grant Park from July 31 to August 2.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Paul McCartney Headlines the Friday Night Festivities
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According to the festival’s website, Paul McCartney will headline Lollapalooza on the show’s opening night on July 31. The other big acts on the first day should help to restore some of the Lolla’s street cred with The War on Drugs, alt-J and Father John Misty all performing. On the Saturday, Metallica steps up to the plate — backed by the crooning Sam Smith. The second day also features the token country star Sturgill Simpson. Switching to the final day on August 3, Florence and her Machines will be the headliners, supported by Of Monsters and Men and TV on the Radio.
2. Officially, There Are Only 1-Day Passes Still Available
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According to the festival’s website, only one-day passes are still available, with all of the three- and two-day tickets already snapped up. The single tickets are going for $110. Those of you who absolutely need to spend three days in the baking heat in Chicago always have StubHub at your disposal. After tickets went on sale on March 24, some buyers couldn’t use their Chase cards to purchase, leading to many unhappy campers, reports the Chicago Tribune.
3. Sam Smith Is Also Headlining the German Version of the Show
Brit crooner Sam Smith is the headlining act at Lollapalooza’s Berlin iteration. So he better not be all Lolla’d-out by then. Also performing at both concerts is Tame Impala, the psychedelic Australian.
4. Lollapaloza Argentina Just Took Place With Jack White Joining Robert Plant on Stage
Just days before the lineup dropped for the Chicago festival, Robert Plant and Jack White set the bar pretty high in terms of surprise duets. The Zeppelin man and the Stripe man got together to play the Led classic “Lemon Song” from Led Zeppelin II.
5. Lollapalooza Will Be in Chicago Till 2018
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In 2009, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Lolla organizers had signed a deal to keep the festival in the Windy City until 2018. That brought in a nice $13 million for the city.