Top 10 Lollapalooza picks: Charli XCX, J-Hope, Girl In Red, Pyros and a few less obvious essentials

Lollapalooza preview 2022 Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Coming out of the pandemic’s peak, Lollapalooza made history as one of very first large-scale events of its kind and it’s finally ready to return to full-fledged normalcy in Grant Park from Thursday, July 28 through Sunday, July 31.

The line-up continues in the mega festival’s tradition of boasting marquee names and obscurities alike, and while hard rock/heavy metal legends Metallica, hip-hop mainstay J. Cole, pop queen Dua Lipa and pop/punk veterans Green Day are obviously worth the price of admission alone, it’s just as important to look a little lower down the list.

In doing so, fans will find everyone from England’s indie rockers Glass Animals to the R&B excellence of Jazmine Sullivan and the man who started it all, none other than Jane’s Addiction front man Perry Farrell leading his reunited offshoot act Porno For Pyros, amongst many others.

Lollapalooza preview 20221. Charli XCX (Sunday)
She collaborated with Icona Pop on the infectious “I Love It,” brought her own “Boom Clap” to the masses, opened for Taylor Swift in stadiums and continues ascending the singer/songwriter/pop star ladder. “Crash” might be her most focused and fantastic project yet, which alongside all the prior bangers, is sure to result in a mega dance party.

2. Glass Animals (Friday)
The ubiquitous song of this summer is unquestionably Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves” and it keeps on shattering records for its lengthy stay atop the charts. But there’s a ton of other connective cuts throughout the entire “Dreamland” album, along with all those indie, psychedelic and electronic rockers that came before.

3. Kygo (Saturday)
There’s no shortage of EDM on the agenda, although it probably won’t get any better or brighter than Kygo spinning his deep house and tropical flavors. It also marks a belated opportunity to hear tunes from 2020’s collaboration-stacked “Golden Hour,” and given its amount of famous friends, a cameo from at least one is quite possible.

4. Jazmine Sullivan (Thursday)
One of the finest vocalists and lyricists in R&B throughout the last decade and change is soulful powerhouse Jazmine Sullivan. She’s already landed a heap of singles, but will get to tell some newer “Heaux Tales” spanning feminism, body-shaming and a wide array of deeply personal societal observations.

5. J-Hope (Sunday)
BTS is of course on a bit of a hiatus, which makes an opportunity to see J-Hope spread his solo wings that much more of a necessity. Outside of the internationally-acclaimed K-pop group, he adapts a rap, hip-hop and retro rock approach throughout “Jack In The Box.”

Lollapalooza preview 20226. Girl In Red (Friday)
Norwegian singer/songwriter Marie Ulven Ringheim, better known as Girl In Red, may have started making music in her bedroom, but has since amassed a series of gold and platinum singles. Last year’s release, “If I Could Make It Go Quiet,” made a million critics’ picks lists and the momentum keeps flowing on the road.

7. Billy Strings (Thursday)
Guitar god Billy Strings is known for a unique brand of bluegrass, Americana and roots rock from the recent “Renewal” and beyond. This vocal and instrumental wizard might be the closest to the jam band vibe on the bill, though it’s quite possible he’ll covert even unsuspecting onlookers.

8. Tove Lo (Thursday)
Armed with a darker shade of pop, Sweden’s Tove Lo has carved out a contagious niche of her own and throughout tunes she’s written for others, including Lorde, Ellie Goulding and Ava Max. Expect previews from the forthcoming “Dirt Femme,” alongside the humongous “Habits (Stay High)” and “Talking Body.”

9. Alexander 23 (Saturday)
Relative newcomer Alexander 23 is a burgeoning star all over America, though he just so happens to be from right here in the suburbs of Chicago. Not only has he dropped a series of self-penned acoustic tunes throughout the EPs “Oh No, Not Again!” and “I’m Sorry I Love You,” but he’s worked with the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae and tons more.

10. Porno For Pyros (Sunday)
Jane’s Addiction front man and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell is getting another one of his bands back together, the incomparable Porno For Pyros, for a rare reunion. In the case of either act, these are alternative rock innovators of the tallest order and are perhaps the best example of bringing the festival’s origins full circle.


Lollapalooza comes to Grant Park from Thursday, July 28 through Sunday, July 31. For additional details, visit Lollapalooza.com.