At the recent Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Elizabeth Nichols made a notable impression with her debut performance on the BMI stage. Known primarily for her viral TikTok hit “I Got a New One,” Nichols captured the attention of both dedicated fans and newcomers with her brief, witty songs that explore themes like relationships, religion, and small-town life.
The 24-year-old artist, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, has quickly leveraged social media to build her music career. Nichols launched her presence on TikTok as a casual endeavor but saw her popularity surge this year when “I Got a New One” gained viral traction, supported in part by fan-generated videos and even a cover on the Kelly Clarkson Show. Since leaving law school last year to focus on music full-time, she has released a debut EP titled “Tough Love” and continues to put out singles, including “Does Your Girlfriend Know We Kissed?,” which she previewed onstage at Lollapalooza.
Nichols’ brief songs, often under three minutes, cater to the platform’s young audience with shorter attention spans. A snippet of an upcoming track, “Might Go Maga,” which touches on themes of political and personal conflict, has stirred curiosity and debate online, underscoring her inclination toward provocative storytelling.
The performer's gradual rise has been noted by fans and festival attendees alike. Jake Blevins, 28, from Norridge, Illinois, praised Nichols for her dedication to music, contrasting her work ethic with the broader trend of fame-driven artistry on social media. Nichols herself expressed gratitude for the accessibility TikTok provides to emerging artists, calling the platform “free” and “available to anybody.”
Following Lollapalooza, Nichols plans to launch her first headlining tour, including a stop at Carol’s Pub on October 7. Reflecting on her early performances, she acknowledged significant growth in confidence and vocal ability over the past year.
The influence of social media was a prominent theme throughout the festival. Lollapalooza partnered with Snapchat to offer interactive experiences such as a Charm Bar and photo booths, though many attendees credited TikTok as their primary source for discovering new music. Fans pointed to viral singles by artists like headliners Olivia Dean (“Man I Need”), Bella Kay (“iloveitiloveit! loveit”), Zara Larsson (“Midnight Sun”), and Illinois native Stella Lefty (“Boston”) as key draws.
Several festivalgoers highlighted the role of TikTok dances and challenges in elevating artists’ profiles. Zara Larsson, a longtime musician, has seen renewed attention due to the viral nature of her songs on the platform. Similarly, newcomers like Sienna Spiro have used TikTok to tease upcoming releases, helping build anticipation ahead of their official album drops.
Overall, Lollapalooza underscored the growing synergy between social media and the music industry, illustrating how platforms like TikTok continue to shape the way audiences discover and engage with emerging and established artists alike.