Rain delay be damned, the start of Lollapalooza’s official weekend stretch wound up being a winner where the net of musical styles was cast even wider and there was more to explore in terms of food, culture and care for the environment throughout the Grant Park grounds.

Currently in the midst of a sold out arena tour behind the soulful jazz/pop project “The Art Of Loving,” England’s Olivia Dean made sure her inaugural American festival headlining slot and exclusive Chicago appearance in general would go down amongst the greats.

That’s because the “Best New Artist” Grammy Award-winner was easily one of this generation’s most promising talents as a singer, songwriter and sheer entertainer, already able to hold an entire field’s worth of fans in the palm of her hand.

“Nice To Each Other,” “So Easy (To Fall in Love),” “Let Alone The One You Love” and “Baby Steps” were a few of the several magnetic reasons, evoking both a retro glamour and contemporary essence, though the surprise Sam Fender duet “Rein Me In” and the colossal closer “Man I Need” will likely prove to be totally timeless.

On the other side of Buckingham Fountain, JENNIE of BLACKPINK brought her personal brand of bubbly K-pop, electronics and hip-hop to another crowded co-headlining position, such as a few solo renditions of all-star collaborations and the bulk of the “Ruby” record.

Despite gear-related complications, chilled out indie/alternative rockers The Neighbourhood gave fest-goers a scaled back slice of what to expect at the United Center on Wednesday November 18, including casually kicking back on a vibey set resembling an actual house for a lot off the lovingly English-leaning “(((((ultraSOUND))))),” some “Sweater Weather” and “Softcore.”

Dynamite vocalist/emotive troubadour Sienna Spiro did indeed live up to everyone’s “Great Expectation” as throngs of fans spilled onto the sidewalks, literally landing in the same league as an Adele or Amy Winehouse, yet retaining an instant distinctiveness destined to make her a household name.

Canada’s Cameron Whitcomb continues occupying a unique place in the alternative country/folk rock space, delivering deeply heartfelt lyrics with near emo-level intensity and doing the occasional backflip to future stadium-shaking beats.

Geese kept appreciators on their toes by toggling between indie/art rock, post-punk and all-around experimentalism, conjuring up a cross between the psychedelic era and the early ’00s while jamming through a bunch from “Getting Killed.”

Leon Thomas first rose to recognition on Broadway, followed by television and film, but turned out to be a triple artistic threat as a singer/songwriter/guitarist currently conquering the R&B, soul and hip-hop lanes.

Offstage, the always popular Rock & Recycle rewards program resumed, alongside the carefully-curated Chow Town food court, newly expanded Plant Base options in partnership with the regenerative organization Re:wild and Musically Fed redistributing loads of leftover staff meals to community members in need.

Luckily, there’s still one additional day to encounter the many local or charitable angles and endless choices of audience engagement Lollapalooza has to offer, which is poised to go out just as grand as it began.

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Lollapalooza continues at Grant Park through Sunday, August 2. For additional details, visit Lollapalooza.com.