For the grand finale, Lollapalooza returned to its sold out status, thanks in part to a double header of headliners that found a recurring favorite performing opposite a solo debut of gargantuan proportions.

Punk rockers Green Day had a lion’s share of the audience to start and stacked an electrifying opening with an army of fist-pumpers, including “American Idiot,” “Holiday,” “Know Your Enemy,” “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,” “Longview” and “Welcome To Paradise.”

Ageless front man Billie Joe Armstrong even thanked event founder Perry Ferrell, who performed earlier with reunited alternative all-stars Porno For Pyros, for helping him encounter the game-changing bands Nine Inch Nails, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins and so many more as they were rising up from the underground throughout the early 1990s.

Across the enormous field, BTS’ breakout star J-Hope not only debuted outside of the colossal boy band, but made history as the first ever South Korean artist to close a main stage at a giant American festival.

He definitely didn’t disappoint, opting mainly for the hip-hop and occasionally grungy mindset of a new collection, “Jack In The Box,” though also made sure to salute the group with vibrant renditions of “Dynamite” and “Trivia: Just Dance,” before climaxing with the smash “Chicken Noodle Soup,” accompanied by surprise guest Becky G.

Beforehand, Australia’s pop and hip-hop singer/songwriter, The Kid Laroi, drew an even larger crowd and conquered the challenge of fully communicating the heartfelt hits “Stay” and “Without You,” already seeming well on his way to a similar superstar level as collaborators Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus.

Italy’s glam rockers Maneskin made the most of a watershed moment, tearing up everything from a delightfully crazy cover of “Beggin’” by The Four Seasons, to the original anthems “Supermodel” and “We’re Gonna Dance On Gasoline.”

The day also introduced rising UK pop/rocker Dylan, who quickly became everyone’s “Girl Of Your Dreams,” England’s dance floor dominator Charli XCX and a giant celebrity sighting when “Stranger Things” star Joe Keery led the trippy psychedelic project DJO.

They all performed with a “Keep Lolla Safe” shout-out beaming from a neighboring skyscraper, and thankfully, everything operated like clockwork when it came to security surrounding the entire campus.

Fans will be happy to hear Musically Fed was once again on hand to repurpose unused catering and concessions from the extensive culinary village, Chow Town, to aid local nonprofits, while multiple environmental initiatives, such as several hydration refilling stations, only added to organizers’ commendable conservation efforts.

It all wrapped up with the promise of a return to Grant Park from August 3-6, 2023, which if this edition was any indication, could very well prove why Lollapalooza continues to be a leading global destination for live music of literally any envelope-pushing stripe.

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For upcoming Lollapalooza announcements, visit Lollapalooza.com.