Kendrick Lamar tops Lolla, The 1975 on “Best” behavior and a confident Sabrina Carpenter

Photos provided by Nathan Zucker, Dusana Risovic and Miranda McDonald for Lollapalooza 2023

The surely record-breaking crowds continued for Lollapalooza when Kendrick Lamar topped yet another diverse bill stacked with a multitude today’s established and rising talents in Grant Park.

Though he’s primarily known as a hip-hop genius, the headliner is equally comfortable dabbling in jazz, R&B and basically anything possessing a soulful touch, often characterized by socially conscious lyrics.

Selections off the athletic apparel-clad rapper’s latest long-player “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” came across as some of his most deeply thought-provoking to date, yet there was also no shortage of singles to invoke scream-a-longs by those stretched out as far as the eye could see.

On the other side of the field, The 1975 emerged from its latest headline-attracting fiasco, and regardless of those who love, hate or love to hate outspoken front man Matty Healy, there was no denying the band is England’s greatest pop/rock prize since Oasis (take that Noel Gallagher).

In fact, practically every song out of this “At Their Very Best” revue was as catchy as humanely possible, executed with heartfelt delivery and well on their way to becoming eternal anthems.

“What would we do without a little drama, I mean music?,” the leader pondered at one point, prior to giving an admiring shout-out to Lamar and remarking how happy he was more than a hundred thousand people were unified over the occasion, rather than squabbling on the internet.

Few acts on earth could go up against those two in the top positions, but Subtronics managed to reel in the surrounding masses thanks to a steady dubstep groove that constantly escalated in momentum, backed by mind-blowing production.

Likewise, Jessie Reyez is a bold and envelope-pushing pop meets R&B and hip-hop presence who seriously slayed several personally popularized selections, plus Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa’s smash “One Kiss,” which she co-wrote.

Third time was a charm for the now rarely touring Thirty Seconds To Mars as Jared Leto and company tapped into sheer rock star showmanship, including the front man bungie jumping from the roof of the stage, climbing the soundboard scaffolding and inviting lucky fans to join an already fabulous choir.

DJ Diesel, who’s actually former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal, may have spun before the sun went down, but nonetheless made it feel like midnight while seeming genuinely appreciative for the opportunity, even name-checking founder Perry Farrell.

Former Disney Channel queen Sabrina Carpenter is all grown up and making some of the most confident pop music of her career thus far via “Emails I Can’t Send,” which were on display, alongside a fleet of dancers and a cover of ABBA’s “Lay All Your Love On Me” as Lollapalooza did exactly that to mark a tremendous halfway point.

Lollapalooza continues at Grant Park through Sunday, August 6. For additional details, visit Lollapalooza.com.