Lollapalooza 2016 Preview

Lollapalooza has become the by-word for music festivals (literally, in the case of the ‘-palooza’ suffix), and each year its festival in Chicago is a major milestone. 2016 is going to be an even bigger milestone, as the festival grows to a fourth day, to celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary!

So head to Grant Park, Thursday-to-Sunday, July 28th to 31st:

THURSDAY, JULY 28th

Bud Light Stage Lana Del Rey, 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM Few have had as quick an up-and-down as Lana Del Rey. The singer (actual name: Elizabeth Woolridge Grant) toiled in obscurity until becoming Ms. Del Rey, with which she suddenly jumped from playing dingy places like the late Glasslands (QRO venue review) in Brooklyn to becoming the musical guest on Saturday Night Live (QRO Music on Late Night TV). That SNL performance, however, was widely panned, as was her full-length Born To Die (QRO review), earning her the reputation as just being a ‘pretty face’ (being signed as an actual model didn’t help, either…). But see & hear for yourself as she comes back to Lollapalooza behind last year’s Honeymoon.

The 1975, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Manchester’s The 1975 (QRO photos at a festival) turned heads with their Sex EP in 2012, even though it wasn’t very good (QRO review), they have kept that up (QRO photos at a festival) as the second coming of INXS with this year’s I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It (isn’t that the name of a One Direction song?…). They play Lollapalooza for the second time in three years.

City and Colour, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Dallas Green (QRO photos), singer/guitarist of emo-punk band Alexisonfire, embraces his sad, acoustic side as City and Colour (he’s Canadian, thus the extra ‘u’ – 2005 debut Sometimes only came out in America in 2009 – QRO review), coming to Lollapalooza (QRO photos at a festival) behind last year’s If I Should Go Before You.

Also: Melanie Martinez, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – QRO photos Frances, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Petrillo Bandshell Bad Royale, 8:00 PM – 8:45 PM “Three producers and one idiot” is Bad Royale, the masters of Caribbean Bass.

Kurt Vile & The Violators, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Even amongst all the lo-fi guitar-punks out there, Kurt Vile (QRO photos at a festival) has made a name for himself. The former member of The War On Drugs (QRO live review), Kurt Vile has since formed his own ensemble with his Violators, and contributed to/opened for alt-punk guitar god J Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr. – QRO live review) on his solo record, Several Shades of Why (QRO review), and subsequent tour. However, he’s since evolved into a big frontman of his own (QRO live review) with 2013’s Wakin On a Pretty Daze and last fall’s b’lieve I’m goin down…, including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).

Danny Brown, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Detroit rapper Danny Brown (QRO photos at a festival) earned serious critical acclaim in 2011 with XXX, SPIN’s hip-hop album of the year (*QRO photos at SPIN* party). He’s since gotten even bigger (QRO live review*), even as he got older with 2013’s Old*.

Also: Hiatus Kaiyote, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pinegrove, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Pepsi Stage The Last Shadow Puppets, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Arctic Monkeys (QRO photos headlining Lollapalooza ‘14) frontman Alex Turner + U.K.’s Miles Kane + Simian Mobile Disco’s (QRO live review) James Ford + Mini Mansions’ (QRO photos) Zach Dawes = supergroup The Last Shadow Puppets (QRO interview). They (QRO spotlight on) come to Lollapalooza (QRO photos) behind their second record, Everything You’ve Come To Expect (QRO review), which is anything but.

Cashmere Cat, 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM From cold Norway to hot Chicago summer comes Magnus August Høiberg, a.k.a. Cashmere Cat (QRO photos at a festival).

AlunaGeorge, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM Singer Aluna Francis and producer George Reid team up as London’s AlunaGeorge (QRO photos at a festival).

Towkio, 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM Out of the Savemoney crew is rapper Preston Oshita, a.k.a. Towkio.

Wavves, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Redemption? After Wavves singer/guitarist Nathan Williams (QRO photos at a festival) had a very public breakdown, on stage at Primavera Sound Festival in 2009, the San Diego act cancelled their whole European tour (but did play Lollapalooza the next year). However, since then Williams got back on the road (QRO photos at a festival), recruited the backing band of the late Jay Reatard (QRO photos), put on the much-praised King of the Beach (QRO review) and 2012’s Afraid of Heights. And he’s even returned to Primavera (QRO photos at a festival) – plus he seems to have cut out imitating Pauly Shore.

Also: Bob Moses, 2:50 PM – 3:30 PM Cloves, 1:50 PM – 2:30 PM Jazz Cartier, 12:50 PM – 1:30 PM The Greeting Committee, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

BMI Stage SoMo, 6:50 PM – 7:30 PM firekid, 5:40 PM – 6:20 PM Wild Child, 4:30 PM – 5:10 PM – QRO photos at a festival Arkells, 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM – QRO live review Skizzy Mars, 2:10 PM – 2:50 PM Lucy Dacus, 1:00 PM – 1:40 PM

Perry’s Stage Flosstradamus, 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM Chicago-based DJs J2K and Autobot are Flosstradamus (QRO photos), and while they’re best known for touring with such similar techtronica acts as Chromeo (QRO live review), they’ve also shared the stage with indie groups like Matt & Kim (QRO spotlight on) on more than one occasion (QRO photos, again on the bill with Matt & Kim). They play Lollapalooza for their fifth time.

Excision, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Excision, a.k.a. Jeff Abel, is a dubstep producer & DJ from British Columbia (QRO photos).

Also: Tchami, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Don Diablo, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Grandtheft, 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Mr. Carmack, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Alle Farben, 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM The Noisy Freaks, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Kidzapalooza presented by Lifeway Ralph Covert, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Jazzy Ash & The Leaping Lizards, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM School of Rock, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

Lakeshore Stage The Arcs, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Everyone knows The Black Keys (QRO live review), one of the biggest rock bands in the twenty-first century. Singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach has long done his own side things (QRO solo album review), most recently with his new band, The Arcs (QRO photos), who came out with debut last fall, Yours, Dreamily.

Daughter, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM North London’s Elena Tonra + Swiss-born Igor Haefelli & France’s Remi Aguilella = indie-folk Daughter (QRO photos).

Yeasayer, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM The experimental Yeasayer (QRO live review outdoors) combine electronica, rock, and even tribal sounds, making them sound like the music of the cyberpunk future, multi-cultural in ways you’d never foresee (QRO live review). They’ve been steadily building since 2007’s All Our Cymbals (QRO review) and the futuristic “2080” (QRO video) & “Wait For the Summer” (QRO video), and managed to beat the sophomore curse with 2010’s impressive Odd Blood (QRO review) and songs “Ambling Alp” (QRO video) & “O.N.E.” (QRO video). They’ve also got a fascinating stage presence (QRO photos outdoors), especially at festivals (QRO photos at a festival) – even overseas (QRO live review in the U.K.) & in foreign-speaking lands (QRO photos at a German festival). The group (QRO spotlight on) brought Fragrant World (QRO review) and songs like “Reagan’s Skeleton” (QRO video) in 2012 – though guitarist Anand Wilder (QRO interview) stopped wearing his camo jumpsuits. They return to Lollapalooza for a third time behind this year’s Amen & Goodbye (QRO review).

Also: Bas, Cozz, Omen, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Tennyson, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Samsung Stage J. Cole, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM North Carolina’s J. Cole (QRO photos at a festival) got notice very quick with his first mixtape, The Come Up, signing to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. Two more mixtapes, The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights followed before 2011 debut Cole World: The Sideline Story, which came out at #1 (even if he did lose the Best New Artist Grammy to Bon Iver, prompting the “Who the fuck is ‘Bunny Bear’?” meme…). 2013 saw sophomore release Born Sinner, which debuted at ‘only’ #2, but of course rose to #1, while the following year’s follow-up, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, made him the first rapper in 25 years to have a Platinum-selling album without any guest appearances (though probably will be some as he headlines Lollapalooza…).

G-Eazy, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Oakland’s G-Eazy (QRO photos) comes back to Lollapalooza for a second year in a row, behind 2014’s debut studio album, These Things Happen, so see them happen & more.

B∆stille, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Dan Smith expanded his solo project into a full band, B∆stille (QRO photos at a festival), who have become another British synth ∆ct to find overnight success in recent years (after alt-J, a.k.a. ∆ – QRO live review).

Kehlani, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Kehlani Parrish (QRO photos at a festival) first got notice as part of America’s Got Talent finalist teen pop group PopLyfe, but has since made her own name with two killer mixtapes, 2014’s Cloud 19 and last year’s You Should Be Here.

Autolux, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM Mixing post-punk, electronica, and krautrock has been the twenty-first century’s Autolux (QRO photos at a festival).

Toyota Music Den Frankie, 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM Cloves, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM Sunflower Bean, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Pinegrove, 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Muddy Magnolias, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM PVRIS, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

FRIDAY, JULY 29th

Bud Light Stage Major Lazer, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM The collaboration between DJ/producers Diplo (QRO photos) and Switch (QRO photos) made a serious breakthrough in 2009 as Major Lazer (QRO photos at a festival), with Guns Don’t Kill People. Lazers Do. They’ve since released more, with Music Is the Weapon coming up this year (even produced Reincarnated, Snoop Dogg’s reggae album as ‘Snoop Lion’) – and know how to do it at festivals (QRO photos at a festival), like Lollapalooza ’13.

Future, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Last year was hot one for Hotlanta’s Future (QRO photos at a festival), who has both put out his own third full-length, DS2, as well as joint mixtape with Drake, What a Time to Be Alive.

CHERUB, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Nashville electro-indie duo Jason Juber and Jordan Kelley come back to Lollapalooza as CHERUB.

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM While Frank Turner (QRO photos) began his life in music as singer for the post-hardcore act Million Dead, since that band’s break-up in 2005, the Bahrain-born, Britain-raised artists has turned to political indie-folk (QRO photos at a festival). He’s not a stranger to big stages, however (QRO photos at a festival), having opened up for Green Day (QRO album review) at stadium shows in the U.K., and played Lollapalooza in 2010. Also: Lewis Del Mar, 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

Petrillo Bandshell Boombox Cartel, 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM From Mexico to Minnesota, Americo Garcia and Jorge Medina have become a big name in big dance as Boombox Cartel.

Mac Miller, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Mac Miller (QRO photos at a festival), one of many aliases for Malcolm James McCormick, had the first independently distributed debut to hit number one on the Billboard charts in over a decade with 2011’s Blue Slide Park. He and his REMember Music have since signed with Warner Brothers, for last year’s GO:AD AM.

Lettuce, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Get funky with Boston’s many-membered Lettuce (QRO photos at a festival)!

Also: Modern Baseball, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM – QRO photos at a festival HAELOS, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Pepsi Stage Ghost, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Even though they’ve had to go by ‘Ghost B.C.’ in the States (like at Lollapalooza ’13), there’s only one Ghost (QRO photos). The Swedish heavy metal band is famous for their on-stage presence: five of the six members wear hooded robes, while the singer is a cardinal with a skull face. They’re also super-secretive about their identities (“Papa Emeritus” and the “Nameless Ghouls”). So get freaked out like only the Swedes can make you, as the band returns to Lollapalooza (QRO photos).

A$AP Ferg, 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM From out of the acclaimed hip-hop collective A$AP Mob, A$AP Ferg (QRO photos) has made his own name, most recently with this year’s sophomore solo record, Always Strive and Prosper.

Wolf Alice, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM North London’s Wolf Alice (QRO live review) may have debuted in 2013 with single “Fluffy”, but they’re anything but, as they come to Lollapalooza (QRO live review).

Also: Alessia Cara, 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM – QRO photos RÜFÜS DU SOL, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Kiiara, 2:50 PM – 3:30 PM Hayden James, 1:50 PM – 2:30 PM Saba, 12:50 PM – 1:30 PM Race Banyon, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

BMI Stage Sunflower Bean, 6:50 PM – 7:30 PM – QRO photos at a festival JAHKOY, 5:40 PM – 6:20 PM PVRIS, 4:30 PM – 5:10 PM Muddy Magnolias, 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM Polly A, 2:10 PM – 2:50 PM Horse Thief, 1:00 PM – 1:40 PM

Perry’s Stage Martin Garrix, 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM At just twenty years of age, Amsterdam’s Martin Garrix is already a major up-and-coming DJ, coming to Lollapalooza for his second time in three years.

GRiZ, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM Spinning beats and more at Lollapalooza again will be GRiZ (QRO photos at a festival).

Duke Dumont, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM English DJ & remixer Duke Dumont returns to Lollapalooza for the second time in three years.

Also: Bro Safari, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Audien, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Skepta, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM – QRO photos at a festival Party Favor, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Illenium, 12:40 PM – 1:20 PM Curt Reynolds, 12:00 PM – 12:35 PM

Kidzapalooza presented by Lifeway Ralph Covert, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Frankie + The Studs, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Jazzy Ash & The Leaping Lizards, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

Lakeshore Stage Miike Snow, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Stockholm’s Miike Snow (a band, not a person – QRO photos at a festival) got serious notice a few years ago with their combination of indie-pop & electro-dance, especially live (QRO live review). After a break, they’ve now come back (QRO live review) with iii.

Frightened Rabbit, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit (QRO live review) are at the forefront of the tragic, heartfelt wave coming from England’s neighbor to the north, most recently with this year’s Painting of a Heart Attack (QRO review), 2013’s Pedestrian Verse (QRO review) and 2010’s The Winter of Mixed Drinks (QRO review). They also really put themselves out there on record, but their live show (QRO photos at a festival) also sees them joking (QRO live review), in their Scottish brogue, capture on 2009’s live album, Liver! Lung! FR! (QRO review). Also a strong festival band (like at Lolla ’10 & ‘13), they can even take requests (QRO live review of all-request show).

MØ, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Singer Karen Marie Ørsted, å.k.å. MØ (QRO photos at a festival), followed up her hit status in her native Denmark (QRO photos in Europe) by getting American notice thanks to collaboration with Iggy Azalea (QRO photos at Lollapalooza ‘14) on 2014 single “Beg For It”.

Also: Saint Motel, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM – QRO photos at a festival Con Brio, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Samsung Stage Radiohead, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM You know Radiohead (QRO live review), or at least you think you do. Though they had an early MTV nineties hit with “Creep”, the group evolved into something much, much more with records like The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A, along the way becoming the biggest alternative music band in the world (QRO live review on Austin City Limits). In 2007 they reinvented the music business with the ‘pay-what-you-want’ download of In Rainbows (QRO review), following that up with The King of Limbs in 2011 (QRO review), while members Thom Yorke (QRO solo album review), Jonny Greenwood (QRO solo soundtrack review), Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and Philip Selway (QRO solo album review) all were also free to do their own things. Just earlier this year, the group (QRO photos at a festival) surprised their fans with the new A Moon Shaped Pool (QRO review). And now the massive acts headlines Lollapalooza, playing the festival for only their second time ever!

M83, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM How is it that France does such great atmospherics? M83 (QRO live review) actually exceeded countrymen Air (QRO album review) with 2008’s Saturdays = Youth (QRO review) and 2011’s Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (QRO review), and come back to Lollapalooza (QRO photos at a festival) for a third time (QRO photos), now behind this year’s Junk, which has led the band to bigger shows (QRO live review) and bigger stages (QRO photos) at bigger festivals (QRO photos at a festival) & more (QRO photos at a festival).

Foals, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Oxford, England’s Foals (QRO photos) still haven’t quite shaken off the backhanded compliment label of ‘internet buzz band’, even with 2010’s well-received sophomore release Total Life Forever (QRO review) or 2013’s follow-up Holy Fire, but you should really see & judge for yourself (QRO live review) as they come back to Lollapalooza for a third time, on tour (QRO photos) behind last year’s What Went Down (QRO review).

The Struts, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Everything old is new again, so embrace the unabashed glam classic-rock revival of The Struts (QRO photos at a festival), who come to Lollapalooza behind debut Everybody Wants. Also: Day Wave, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Toyota Music Den Day Wave, 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM Modern Baseball, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM Frank Turner, 4:30 PM – 4:45 PM Frightened Rabbit, 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM HAELOS, 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM Louis the Child, 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM Houndmouth, 2:00 PM – 2:15 PM

SATURDAY, JULY 30th

Bud Light Stage Disclosure, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM British electronic duo Disclosure (QRO photos at a festival) spin beats to close out the Bud Light Stage on Saturday, as they return to Lollapalooza (QRO photos at a festival).

Two Door Cinema Club, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Hailing from Northern Ireland, but debuting on French label Kitsuné (QRO photos at a festival in France), Two Door Cinema Club (QRO live review) have made a splash in America with songs like “What You Know” (QRO video) and “I Can Talk” (QRO video), as well with breakthrough debut Tourist History (QRO review) & 2012’s follow-up Beacon (QRO review) – so come to da Club (QRO photos at a festival). The band returns to Lollapalooza in the run-up to the October release of Gameshow.

Leon Bridges, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Leon Bridges’ (QRO photos at a festival) afternoon set will be one of the more popular ones on the Saturday of Lollapalooza. With his debut “Coming Home” and old school voice, the 25-year-old Texan (QRO live review) has been compared to Sam Cooke and Otis Reading.

The Joy Formidable, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Welsh powerhouse The Joy Formidable (QRO spotlight on) has already taken Europe (QRO photos at a European festival), Canada (QRO photos at a festival in Canada), Australia and even The States (QRO photos) by storm with expertly played opening slots alongside Passion Pit (QRO live review outdoors), Temper Trap (QRO live review) and Editors (QRO album review). The impressive trio (QRO interview) got a killer live show (QRO live review) to go with 2010’s killer The Big Roar (QRO review) and 2013’s Wolf’s Law (QRO review) – so be ready for a jolly good time (QRO photos at a festival) as the band (QRO live review) comes behind this year’s Hitch (QRO review)! Be sure to catch killer frontwoman Ritzy Bryan as she rocks Lollapalooza (QRO photos at a festival) with bassist Rhydian Dafydd (QRO interview) and exuberant drummer Matt Thomas (QRO live review).

Also: LOLAWOLF, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – QRO photos at a festival

Petrillo Bandshell SLUMBERJACK, 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM Borneo’s Morgan Then and Perth’s Fletcher Ehlers bring beats from the other side of the world.

Chris Stapleton, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM There’s definitely a place for country at Lollapalooza, and the Petrillo Bandshell welcomes Chris Stapleton, winner for Best Country Album and Best Country Solo Performance off of last year’s Traveller. He’s also written for the likes of Tim McGraw, Adele, Peter Frampton, and Sheryl Crow.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Denver’s Nathaniel Rateliff (QRO photos at a festival) brings sad indie-folks sounds with his band, The Nightsweats.

Also: Dua Lipa, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Jarryd James, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Pepsi Stage Vic Mensa, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Chicago’s own Vic Mensa returns to Lollapalooza for the second time in three years, throwing down rhymes at the Pepsi Stage.

St. Lucia, 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM South African-born, Brooklyn-based Jean-Philip Grobler has impressed all-round as St. Lucia (QRO photos at a festival), returning to Lollapalooza.

Houndmouth, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM From somewhere others consider nowhere, New Albany, Indiana, Houndmouth (QRO photos in Middle America) have managed to make it by working the Americana rock road, returning to Lollapalooza.

Also: Jack Garratt, 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM – QRO photos at a festival Alina Baraz, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Tory Lanez, 2:50 PM – 3:30 PM Baio, 1:50 PM – 2:30 PM Tor Miller, 12:50 PM – 1:30 PM Honeysuckle, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

BMI Stage Secret Weapons, 6:50 PM – 7:30 PM FRANKIE, 5:40 PM – 6:20 PM Nothing, 4:30 PM – 5:10 PM – QRO album review DROWNERS, 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM Potty Mouth, 2:10 PM – 2:50 PM – QRO photos AutioDamn!, 1:00 PM – 1:40 PM

Perry’s Stage Hardwell, 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM Netherlands’ Robbert van de Corput has topped DJ lists as Hardwell, and has done everything from found his own label, start his own podcast, make his own documentary, and even released his debut studio album last year, United We Are.

Big Gigantic, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Boulder’s Big Gigantic (QRO photos at a festival) mix (big) electronic beats with live drums and even live saxo-mo-phone. Known to set crowds in a writhing heap of body parts (QRO photos at a festival), Big Gigantic (QRO photos at a festival) has been showcasing their electronic fervor all across the globe (QRO photos at a festival), including Lollapalooza ’12, and the last ever New Year’s Eve at New York City’s closed landmark venue Roseland Ballroom (QRO live review).

Also: Oliver Heldens, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM JAUZ, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Marshmello, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM AC Slater, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Generik, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM SMIIRK, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Kidzapalooza presented by Lifeway Recess Monkey, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Q Brothers, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM School of Rock, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

Lakeshore Stage Grimes, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Scandinavian singer/songstresses have gotten very hot, from Lykke Li (QRO album review) openers of hers like Oh Land (QRO album review) and now Grimes (QRO photos opening for Lykke Li) – though Grimes, a.k.a. Claire Boucher (QRO photos at a festival), is actually from Canada. Still, her ethereal indie-pop on 2012’s Visions (QRO review) and last year’s Art Angels (QRO review) certainly hews to the Scando-sound (QRO live review), and she’s just as pretty and charming as any Nordic (QRO photos at a festival). Plus her profile was serious raised when she signed to Jay-Z’s new management company, Roc Nation.

MUTEMATH, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM Putting some ambience and psychedelica into their alt-rock is New Orleans’ own MUTEMATH (QRO live review), who have been building in success, acclaim, and sound, like on 2011’s Odd Soul (QRO review), and come to Lollapalooza in after last year’s release of their first since Soul, Vitals. The band (QRO photos) blew up in 2007 with their video “Typical”, where the band performs the song backwards.

The Front Bottoms, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM New Jersey punks The Front Bottoms have only been growing since their 2011 self-titled debut full-length (QRO review).

Chairlift, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Though born in Boulder, Chairlift (QRO photos outdoors) came of age in – where else? – Brooklyn (QRO photos in Brooklyn). They (QRO photos at a festival) broke through with the sweet “Bruises”, though since the departure of singer/guitarist Aaron Pfenning for his own Rewards (QRO photos), the now-duo (QRO photos at a festival) went for a spookier sound on 2012’s Something (QRO review), but brighter this year with Moth.

The Strumbellas, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM The “folk popgrass” of Canada’s The Strumbellas (QRO photos at a festival) comes to Lollapalooza behind this year’s third record, Hope.

Samsung Stage Red Hot Chili Peppers, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM How can you be into music and not know the Red Hot Chili Peppers? RHCP (QRO photos) emerged from the same sweaty Los Angeles eighties music scene that gave birth to Jane’s Addiction (see right below), and the Peppers (QRO photos) mix alt-rock with the funkified bass of the one-and-only Flea plus the sexy energy of singular frontman Anthony Kiedis. Along with drummer Chad Smith and guitarist John Frusciante, the band racked up awards and record sales with such classics as Mother’s Milk, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, “Higher Ground”, “Under the Bridge”, and much more. Frusciante left in 1992 to be replaced by Jane’s Addiction’s own Dave Navarro, before Frusciante returned in 1999 for the band’s biggest selling record ever, Californication. More recently, Frusciante has left again, to focus on his solo work (QRO review), replaced by upgraded touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer for 2011’s I’m In You (QRO review) and this year’s The Getaway. Ain’t nothin’ stoppin’ the Red Hot Chili Peppers (QRO photos), who play their fourth Lollapalooza (their first was way back in 1992…)!

Jane’s Addiction, 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM One of the first bands to emerge from the early nineties alternative music scene, you knew Jane’s Addiction’s break-up right at their height of popularity in 1991 would never knew last. They’ve since reunited not once, not twice, but thrice! Starting in 2008, all four original members got back together for the first time since the first break-up, joining Nine Inch Nails on the ‘NIN/JA’ tour (QRO photos outdoors), playing the classics. Admittedly 2011’s new The Great Escape Artist was not that great (which is why bassist Eric Avery left before it was made), but the classics still are, and they come out in force at their live shows (QRO live review), with the band’s gaudy, extreme, alt-sexual antics (QRO photos). Oh, and singer/frontman Perry Farrell basically invented the alternative music festival with his original Lollapalooza, and he’s still majorly involved, even curating his own stage. So you know the band knows how to do this festival right (QRO photos from a festival)…

Big Grams, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM Big Boi (QRO photos at a festival) + Phantogram (QRO album review – and QRO photos from Lollapalooza ’14) = Big Grams (QRO photos at a festival).

X Ambassadors, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Ithaca’s X Ambassadors (QRO photos) come to Lollapalooza (QRO photos) behind last year’s hit debut, VHS.

Also: Nothing But Thieves, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Toyota Music Den The Front Bottoms, 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM The Joy Formidable, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM Baio, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Polly A, 3:30 PM – 3:45 PM Nothing But Thieves, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Drowners, 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

SUNDAY, JULY 31st

Bud Light Stage Ellie Goulding, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM One of the hottest breakthroughs has been London’s Ellie Goulding (QRO photos at a festival), who went from being unknown to playing the likes of Saturday Night Live (QRO Music on Late Night TV) and even the royal wedding (QRO photos in the British Isles)! She’s been movin’ on up in terms of venue size (QRO photos) & stage size (QRO photos on a side stage – QRO photos on a main stage), so catch her while you can (QRO live review). She comes back to Lollapalooza behind last year’s Delirium and 2011’s Halcyon (QRO review), with some of her biggest shows to-date (QRO photos at Madison Square Garden), so come see “Lights” (QRO video).

HAIM, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim, along with drummer Dash Hutton (QRO photos at a festival), only started putting out music in 2013, but have already been turning heads (QRO photos), thanks to great single “Don’t Save Me” and debut full-length, Days Are Gone (QRO review). They come back to Lollapalooza (QRO photos) after getting numerous high-profile fans – and even playing the legendary after-party for the Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary with Prince!

Local Natives, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Silver Lake’s Local Natives (QRO photos at a festival) have been riding the alt-country/folk wave, but seem to be doing it better than most, charting in 2010 with debut Gorilla Manor and 2012’s Hummingbird (QRO review), moving up to headliner tours (QRO live review), and well-received on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival), including old England (QRO photos at an English festival). They come back to Lollapalooza in the run-up to the release of their latest, Sunlit Youth.

FIDLAR, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Back in the long-lost eighties, punk outfits like Black Flag would prompt conflict with Commissioner Chief Daryl Gates’ pre-Rodney King LAPD – but everyone’s mellower these days, right? Not if FIDLAR (QRO photos) have anything to say about it (QRO photos at a festival). Also: BANNERS, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

Petrillo Bandshell Jackal, 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM In only a few years, Jackal has become a trap mastermind with such hit tracks as “Shakedown”, “Animal Style”, and “Netflix and Kill”.

Bryson Tiller, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Bryson Tiller has gone from working at Papa John’s & UPS to rapping with last year’s debut T R A P S O U L.

Third Eye Blind, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Third Eye Blind (QRO photos) is playing Lollapalooza? Old enough to be mocked by attendees of the early touring Lollapalooza, they’re somehow still around and still leading their “Semi-Charmed Life”. Though they did just do a great troll of the GOP when playing Cleveland during the Republican Convention…

Classixx, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM Los Angeles DJ duo Michael David & Tyler Blake (QRO photos at a festival) – a.k.a. Classixx (QRO photos at a festival) – come to Lollapalooza (QRO photos). Also: VHS Collection, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Pepsi Stage ZHU, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Electronic producer/musician Steve Zhu managed to stay anonymous until two years ago, but has blown up as ZHU. He closes out the Pepsi Stage two days after the release of his debut album, Generationwhy.

Vince Staples, 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM Lollapalooza got a choice lyricist in Vince Staples (QRO photos at a festival). The Long Beach native first came up with others, such as in the group Cutthroat Boyz and in association with Odd Future (QRO live review), but has since made a name all his own (QRO photos at a festival).

Also: Snakehips, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM AURORA, 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM Louis the Child, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM MUNA, 2:50 PM – 3:30 PM D.R.A.M., 1:50 PM – 2:30 PM Sir the Baptist, 12:50 PM – 1:30 PM Smino, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

BMI Stage Flatbush Zombies, 6:50 PM – 7:30 PM Putting an extra exclamation point in “Brooklyn!!!” is the borough’s own Flatbush Zombies (QRO photos at a festival), who are part of this decade’s East Coast hip-hop ‘Beast Coast’ movement.

Mothers, 5:40 PM – 6:20 PM Kristine Leschper’s Atlanta experimental folk act Mothers (QRO photos at a festival) comes to Lollapalooza behind this year’s When You Walk a Long Distance You Are Tired – thankfully Grant Park isn’t that far from the L train.

Also: TOTEM, 4:30 PM – 5:10 PM Unified Highway, 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM DREAMERS, 2:10 PM – 2:50 PM LANco, 1:00 PM – 1:40 PM

Perry’s Stage Die Antwoord, 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM In this day & age, it can be hard to for an act to truly surprise, but Die Antwoord (QRO photos) have done it. Not only South African but Afrikaans (the descendants of the Dutch settlers who instituted & later repealed apartheid), vocalist Ninja & Yo-Landi Vi$$er took the internet by storm with a baffling mix of rave & hip-hop, English & Afrikaans in “Enter the Ninja” and 5 EP (QRO review). They followed up in 2012 with Ten$ion (QRO review) and 2013’s Donker Mag, and have been baffling minds & blowing them away (QRO photos at a festival) while stealing the show (& shedding clothes) wherever they go (QRO photos outdoors at a festival). The duo (QRO photos at a festival) comes back to Lollapalooza after starring in last year’s CHAPPIE.

Adventure Club, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Known for their frenetic beats and climatic bass drops, Adventure Club, is one of Canada’s most talented bassheads. Already remixed Flight Facilities and Britney Spears, the DJ duo has already released an eclectic set of remixes and originals. Make sure to check out their Soundcloud for some free downloads of their original songs, “Wait” and “Rise and Fall”.

Also: Yellow Claw, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM Seven Lions, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM SNAILS, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM Lindsey Stirling, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM – QRO photos at a festival Mija, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM BURNS, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Kidzapalooza presented by Lifeway Recess Monkey, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Special Guest, 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM Q Brothers, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM School of Rock, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

Lakeshore Stage Bloc Party, 7:25 PM – 8:25 PM Known for their ubiquitous single, “Banquet”, Bloc Party (QRO photos at a festival) is one of the few gems to come out of the post-punk revival in the early 2000’s. The four-piece band (QRO photos) has become a household name within the U.K. region, and gaining fans in America (QRO photos) and elsewhere (QRO photos at a festival). They (QRO photos at a festival) come back to Lollapalooza (QRO photos at a festival) behind this year’s Hymns (QRO review), their best since debut Silent Alarm.

Silversun Pickups, 5:25 PM – 6:25 PM In 2006, Los Angeles’ Echo Lake music scene blew up in a big way – all thanks to Silversun Pickups (QRO photos) & Carnavas. In 2009, they finally followed that up with Swoon (QRO review), which charted even higher – and they (QRO live review) come to the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival) and Lollapalooza (QRO photos outdoors) behind 2013’s Neck of the Woods (QRO review) and last year’s Better Nature (QRO review).

Years & Years, 3:25 PM – 4:25 PM London electro-pop outfit Years & Years (QRO photos) mix different ‘tronic and indie styles.

Also: Oh Wonder, 1:30 PM – 2:25 PM – QRO photos Panama Wedding, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM – QRO photos

Samsung Stage LCD Soundsystem, 8:25 PM – 10:00 PM When the indie kids started using synthesizers, it began with LCD Soundsystem (QRO live review). As essential a starting point for twenty-first century music as The Strokes (and with a much better legacy), the outfit around James Murphy (QRO DJ photos) taught hipsters to dance – and hit single “Daft Punk Is Playing At My House” introduced the helmeted ones to Americans. Their 2005 self-titled debut full-length is as seminal an album this century as anything, with strong follow-ups in 2007’s Sound of Silver (QRO review) and 2010’s This Is Happening (QRO review). Eventually, the band got so big that Murphy had to call it quits on the whole thing (to focus on running DFA Records), but not before an epic run of goodbye shows in New York (QRO photos). But as sure as people asking what time Daft Punk goes on, we all knew the Soundsystem (QRO photos at a festival) would be back, and after much rumors & hype, this year they have returned – and return to Lollapalooza.

Flume, 6:25 PM – 7:25 PM Bringing electronics from halfway around the world is Sydney’s Harley Streten – a.k.a. Flume (QRO photos at a festival), who plays Lollapalooza for his second time in three years.

Also: Halsey, 4:25 PM – 5:25 PM – QRO photos at a festival Låpsley, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Toyota Music Den D.R.A.M., 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM Muna, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM Classixx, 4:30 PM – 4:45 PM Oh Wonder, 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM Dua Lipa, 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM