The annual Lollapalooza music festival commenced Thursday under clear skies at Chicago’s Grant Park, drawing a capacity crowd of approximately 115,000 attendees for the opening day. Headlining acts for the evening included Lorde and local DJ John Summit, amid a diverse lineup spanning multiple genres and stages. The four-day festival showcased emerging artists alongside established acts, attracting fans from across the United States and abroad.

Among the attendees were first-time festivalgoers Ashley Lahay and Max Wertz, both 21, who arrived early at the main entrance on Ida B. Wells Drive, fully embracing the festival atmosphere. They expressed enthusiasm for performances by indie-pop singer Audrey Hobert, Lorde, and Finnish duo Pearly Drops, the latter discovered shortly before the event.

Makenzie and Brayden Sumner traveled from Kentucky to celebrate Makenzie’s birthday and recent graduation. Makenzie, 18, looked forward to English pop artist Asha Banks’ debut U.S. festival set, while Brayden, 19, planned to see English heavy metal band Loathe, which he has followed since last year. Despite some apprehension about the crowd size, Makenzie remained optimistic about the experience.

Highlighting the growing global representation at U.S. festivals, Filipino pop group SB19 made their debut at Lollapalooza on Thursday afternoon, performing on the Allianz stage. This marked a milestone following fellow Filipino act BINI’s appearance at Coachella earlier this year. The band’s passionate fanbase, known as A’tin, showed strong support, with fans traveling long distances and organizing watch parties, including a sold-out event hosted by the Philippines’ Department of Tourism in Manila. SB19’s energetic set featured their latest single “Lawless” and ballads like “Mapa,” concluding with a collaboration involving Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull.

Additional festival highlights included performances by English rock band Bad Nerves, known for their high-energy shows, and the debut appearance of School of Rock teen musicians in the family-friendly Kidzapalooza area. New features this year include the Lollapalooza Midway, offering carnival-style food options, and a partnership with THC beverage brand Señorita, introducing licensed cannabis-infused drinks for the first time.

City officials and festival organizers are preparing for potential weather disruptions, as the National Weather Service forecasts showers beginning Friday afternoon through the weekend. Chicago’s 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins noted ongoing coordination between the city and event producers C3 Presents for weather-related responses. While rain is expected not to affect performances, severe conditions such as lightning or high winds could prompt evacuation. For the first time, a centralized communication system dubbed the “voice of God” microphone has been installed to deliver urgent announcements across all stages and park speakers simultaneously. Designated evacuation sites include Grant Park’s underground garages, with neighboring hotels and businesses on standby to assist as needed.

In addition to the entertainment, Caribbean-soul artist Simon Grossmann used his Thursday set to address the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, his homeland, which have claimed over 5,500 lives. Grossmann described efforts by Puerto Rican concertgoers to collect donations and emphasized his role in raising awareness through music.

Repeat attendee Kate Dowden, 19, traveled from Indianapolis and described the festival as a tradition. She noted the communal atmosphere at day’s end, with attendees often gathering to sing and celebrate as crowds disperse.

Lollapalooza continues through Sunday, featuring a broad spectrum of artists and experiences that reflect its status as one of the country’s premier music festivals.