Casting a prediction that Journey would land at the 30th anniversary of Lollapalooza would’ve nearly been as outlandish as betting the group would ever appear alongside Limp Bizkit, let alone Post Malone and Megan Thee Stallion.

But in the “Don’t Stop Believin’” spirit of these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, it all came to fruition with the rebooted and revitalized line-up of original guitarist Neal Schon, veteran keyboard player Jonathan Cain and longtime vocalist Arnel Pineda, alongside “Arrival” onward drummer Deen Castronovo, new beatkeeper Narada Michael Walden, additional keyboardist Jason Derlatka and substitute bassist Marco Mendoza.

Together, the beefed-up band stormed through so many multi-generational smashes it was easy to loose count, including the anthems “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” “Only The Young,” “Any Way You Want It” and the aforementioned, the textbook power ballad “Faithfully,” plus the rarities “Still They Ride” and “Positive Touch.”

The only element missing was iconic singer Steve Perry, but as evidenced in all of the above actually happening, fans can at least forever “hold on to that feelin’” that three of music’s most optimistic words might someday come full circle.

On the opposite side of Grant Park, Post Malone was packed to the gills, which was understandable given his status as a constant hit maker with a contagious hybrid of pop, R&B and hip-hop found throughout “Better Now,” “Circles” and “Psycho.”

The singer/songwriter/rapper was still firing on all cylinders a little after Journey’s “Lights” went down in the city, more than living up to his “Rockstar” status, while “Congratulations” are order for possessing a connectivity that could cajole even the most distant onlooker as fireworks roared above.

Prior to those co-headliners, Megan Thee Stallion proved she could easily land on the same line of any festival roster given her charismatic presence and popularity that may have very well eclipsed anyone at Lollapalooza.

The always outspoken, empowering and entertaining rapper got her “Body-ody” going from the jump as she fired off cuts from “Good News,” alongside assertive renditions of countless collaborations as the overflowing audience ably filled in any absences.

Tapping into the old school spirit of the anniversary, Limp Bizkit resurrected a cocktail of nu metal and rap rock, which despite ringing more true of its late 1990s/early 2000s time period than today, nonetheless ably scratched the nostalgia itch.

Perennial favorites Young The Giant also offered a melodic alternative crunch with a figurative batch of guitar-driven “Cough Syrup” to the vaccinated or negative COVID-testing attendees.

Rapper and nearby Indiana native Freddie Gibbs, along with EDM titans Lost Kings, were also among the many other notables that added to this sell out, though thankfully, slots for Sunday’s finale remain, which includes Foo Fighters, Young Thug (bumped up for the canceled DaBaby), the just added G Herbo and beyond.

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Lollapalooza continues at Grant Park through Aug. 1. For additional details, visit Lollapalooza.com.

For additional information on Journey, visit JourneyMusic.com.