The second day of Lollapalooza was a much different day than the first day in Grant Park.
Other than a light drizzle late in the morning, it was a rain-free event full of sunshine, Chicago humidity and a wide variety of sounds across the park. But much like day 1, Friday continued the evidence of Lolla's evolution.
Coincidentally, in the same year Lollapalooza is celebrating its 20th edition based in Chicago, this second day of the festival offered further signs of a new generation of talent moving up in the ranks, drawing large crowds and proving to be the next stars, if they aren't already.
As was the case with the likes of Chappell Roan, Benson Boone and Tyla on Thursday, Friday offered plenty of rising stars, highlighted by none other than actor and singer Reneé Rapp, who is having one incredible year. But it certainly didn't stop there.
Below are some of our highlights from day 2.
Reneé Rapp
When Rapp took over the T-Mobile stage on Friday, the energy was absolutely electric. She had a seemingly perfect entrance with the brash, infectious opening single "Talk Too Much," which had the crowd singing along. She built up the momentum up to her fan favorite "Pretty Girls," which was followed by a moment when she addressed the crowd, noting two albums which released in 2016 that she loved, the first being Blonde by Frank Ocean and Coloring Book by Chance the Rapper, the latter of whom then emerged from backstage and joined Rapp for a live mix rendition of "DRAM Sings Special" and "No Problem." The Chicago crowd was loving every second of it!
Wilderado
Over at the Bud Light stage, Oklahoma outfit and Variance favorite Wilderado drew a stunning crowd. Even the band themselves couldn't but help but notice, and perhaps they were even a bit overwhelmed by it. Lead singer Max Rainer greeted the crowd between songs. "Hey, we're Wilderado," Rainer said. "We're from Tulsa, Oklahoma!" It was a moment brimming with humility and authenticity as he then told the crowd this was one of the largest shows they've ever played, noting there were people as far as he could see back. Before the band played their standout cut "Surefire," Rainer said, "It feels like we're playing in outer space right now." It's moments like these that make Lollapalooza so special and emphasize why it's important for such a festival to keep going, so the next generation of artists and fans can continue to experience it.
Tiny Habits
Speaking of breakout moments, Tiny Habits certainly filled that criteria with a stirring, downright emotional performance at the Toyota Music Den, an acoustic set ahead of their proper show at the BMI stage. The trio, who only formed back in 2022 and gained traction releasing covers, had an overflow crowd spilling from under the big white tent, where they showcased spellbindingly perfect harmonies. Like Wilderado, they also noted the size of the crowd, which caught them by surprise as they joked they had expected maybe 30 people might have shown up for this less official performance.
RAYE
Another highlight was RAYE on the Tito's Handmade Vodka stage, where she delivered a lush performance with such swagger, as the young English singer navigated a broad swath of sounds, ranging from hip-hop and R&B to soul. It was the kind of rich, truly unique performance that made her stand out from so many others on various stages across the four-day weekend, proving there is absolutely a place for genuine artistry even in the year 2024.
SZA
Then there was SZA, the finale of the evening, who returned to Lollapalooza this time as a headliner, with an alluring, dramatic headlining set at the T-Mobile stage. Her appearance in Grant Park comes as the singer has been on a tear over the past couple of years, headlining a number of other festivals and further cementing her status as one of the most prominent artists of this current generation.
See photos from day 2 of Lollapalooza below, including performances from Ruel, Qveen Herby, Loud Luxury and more.
