After a weekend filled with alternative-rock hits, hip-hop tracks and electronic melodies, it’s safe to say the intermittent downpours put no damper on the fun at this year’s Lollapalooza.
Whether you attended one day in Grant Park or rallied for all three, there were plenty of memorable moments to be had. Here’s a recap of the best moments of Lolla 2014:
1. Surprise guest Rihanna accompanied Eminem to sing “The Monster,” “Love the Way You Lie” and Eminem’s 1999 hit “Stan,” which originally featured Dido. Based on the screams coming from the audience, it’s safe to say that Rihanna more than held her own. The performance was said to be a practice run for their upcoming Monster Tour.
2. Lorde proved she deserved a headlining spot and was humbly appreciative of the massive Chicago crowd. “I don’t know how many people are here… It’s probably more than my whole town in New Zealand,” she announced to fans who thronged the Bud Light Stage to see the 17-year-old.
3. Outkast redeemed themselves with a great show after being booed off the stage at this year’sCoachella. Maybe it was the perfectly timed fireworks during “Ms. Jackson” that kept the crowd moving.
4. Glenbrook North graduate Krewella kept busy on stage with high-energy electronic songs and an impressive light show. She still found time during her set to give her parents (who were in the crowd) a shout out. Whether you’re a fan or not, you have to respect that move.
5. Nashville band Space Capone proved that blue-eyed funk is a thing with their ridiculously catchy dance music and Michael Jackson-reminiscent vocals. Give these funky white guys a listen.
6. Dedicated Bleachers fans endured the rain and stood ankle deep in mud at the Lake Shore stage while lead singer Jack Antonoff sang the opening verse of the Cranberries’ 1993 hit “Dreams.” Suddenly the rain ceased. Coincidence? We don’t think so.
7. Cage the Elephant lead singer Matt Shultz, dressed all in white, stage dived into the crowd and the mud, emerging covered in muck to finish the set.
8. Glen Hansard encouraged the audience to “embrace the rain…take what you’re given and make the best of it,” and then clambered off stage and went directly under the rainspout formed by the edge of the Lake Shore Stage.
9. Young the Giant drummer, Francois Comtois, gave Derrick Rose a shout out to hype up the Chicago crowd. Let’s hope this gesture doesn’t jinx the basketball star’s return.
10. Chance the Rapper invited R. Kelly on stage to sing “Ignition,” Kelly’s most popular song. Chance finished up his set with a flourish, wrapping up the weekend perfectly.
