Grant Park’s gates open for a Lolla loaded with Lorde, John Summit, Wet Leg, sombr, surprises

Photos provided by Charles Reagan, Taylor Regulski and Ismael Quintanilla III for Lollapalooza

The centerpiece of the entire summer, not only in Chicago but all across America and beyond, has officially begun in the form of Lollapalooza, which will populate practically every inch of Grant Park through Sunday, August 2.

Now a four-day tradition, the longstanding event launched the extended weekend with a sumptuous spread of pop, rock, electronic, R&B, hip-hop and K-pop performers, ensuring there was something for nearly everyone, while continuing its commitment to support the local arts and educational communities, in addition to an even wider goal of protecting the planet through a multitude of sustainability initiatives.

As far as the artistic side was concerned, New Zealand-native Lorde was one of the top ticket draws, transitioning from the folksy “Solar Power” season to the more electronically-minded “Virgin,” which takes a deeply introspective approach to various aspects of femininity.

Her blockbuster breakthrough, “Royals,” served as the unexpected start, followed by the experimental and authentic singer/songwriter turning in such thought-provoking pieces as “Broken Glass,” “Current Affairs,” “Supercut” and “Man Of The Year,” alongside a band, a couple interpretative dancers and visually-arresting choreography placed against set pieces or screens that could’ve doubled as art installations.

However, practically every smart phone in the place went up when the raver “Girl, so confusing” kicked in, revealing none other than July 31 headliner Charli XCX drinking seductively out of a water fountain before banging out their therapy-session of sorts and ending in a firm embrace.

On the opposite field, the sweat-inducing and eventually shirtless Naperville native John Summit was tearing up the turntables thanks to a brightly hued blend of EDM, house and techno, often taken from the studio collections “Comfort In Chaos” and “Ctrl Escape,” literally lighting up the sky as a steady streak of fireworks decorated the same entrancing beats subject to sell out United Center on Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25.

English indie rockers Wet Leg continue to climb the ladder of visibility yet remain committed to their craft, intermingling self-titled selections and those found on the post-punk meets new wave-inspired “Moisturizer,” and in the process, perhaps being the most reminiscent of Lolla’s alternative origins.

Fresh off the meteoric beginnings of “I Barely Know Her,” alt-pop troubadour sombr dropped a series of vulnerable new singles and shocked the masses when introducing 5 Seconds Of Summer, the previous subjects of a moderate internet feud, for a collaborative cover of “She Looks So Perfect.”

The “Homewrecker” frequently expressed appreciation over the early evening opportunity, even spray painting then waving a “SOMBR LOLLAPALOOZA” flag surrounding the instantly iconic “back to friends” and a double shot of “12 To 12” as he gears up for the United Center on Wednesday, November 4.

Rapper/actress Little Simz and her backers were just as alluring, bringing British hip-hop, soul and jazzy flavors to the festival following the “Lotus” long-player, plus profoundly poetic lyrics spanning the personal to topical.

Speaking of 5SOS and seemingly endless ear-worms, the harmony-stacked Australian act delivered “Amnesia,” Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” and “Youngblood,” amongst others, further embodying the spirit of the season that only Lollapalooza can generate.

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