Our Favorite Moments from Lollapalooza 2017

/ By / Lists, Music, POD Exclusive

I’ve been going to Lollapalooza every year since 2011 and in that time I’ve been lucky enough to see at the multi-day festival held at Grant Park some amazing sets from legendary acts, as well as witnessing the rise of acts that have gone on to become some of our favorites today. This year’s edition sure added more fun memories and great performances, so below I’ve highlighted the moments that have stood out the most from my time at Lolla 2017.

See the list below.

Arcade Fire Cap an Amazing Set with Cover of John Lennon’s “Mind Games” to close out Lolla 2017

Arcade Fire put on one of the best shows of their career so far when they headlined the final night of the festival, which I can definitely admit to it being up there as one of the top 10 performances I’ve ever witnessed (@ me and I got y’all on my complete list). For their final song, the band played a cover of John Lennon’s 1973 track “Mind Games,” introducing it by reminiscing about being in Chicago when Barack Obama first became president and how that feeling of hope can still be alive. It was a profound and captivating moment.

Run The Jewels Bring Up Fan From the Crowd to Perform On Stage

Run The Jewels are amazing performers and they command the stage like few others can. It’s that showmanship that allows them to take certain liberties, even at a venue like Lollapalooza. Right before “Legend Has It,” El-P and Killer Mike spotted a fan in the crowd that was holding a sign about wanting to perform the track and they called him up to do it! The fan sure didn’t disappoint! Unforgettable moment that guy will never forget. 

Whitney Bring Out Joey Purp For Freestyle

Quite possibly the best thing I saw in the entirety of the festival, the unlikely partnering of the Folk-tinged Indie band Whitney and Hip Hop star Joey Purp was just amazing. Whitney went into their Light Upon The Lake instrumental “Red Moon,”little did most of us in the crowd could have guessed that it would be elevated to super dope levels when Purp added some bars atop the driving jam. The group put on a hell of a set (especially with set closer “Golden Days” and Finally Aaron’s amazing vocals), but playing while Purp delivered an absolutely fire freestyle was just spectacular.

The Vibes Are Back! Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa Finally Reunite

If you’ve been following the Chicago scene in the last 5 years, then you’d seen that that the Chicago music renaissance was largely led by the rise of Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa as their SaveMoney collective ushered in a new era for the city. Somewhere along the way the pair had a bit of a falling off that left the Chi a bit confused as both Vic and Chano were like brothers, influencing and challenging each other to aim higher. At Lollapalooza ’17, the beef was officially (publicly) squashed, with Chance bringing out Vic to perform his verse on “Cocoa Butter Kisses” as well Mensa’s Autobiography stand-out “Didn’t I (Say I Didn’t).” All is well in Chicago Hip Hop.

Honorable Mention: Getting Evacuated (Again)

It happened. Again. The rain is always a threat to the downtown Chicago festival, every year, and this time around was no different. We got evacuated, like in previous years, but this time it was just moments into the headliners’ performances, which really sucked… but going through it was in its own way a kind of “ok” experience because if you are the type to go the festival often, you laugh it off with an “of course this would happen.” Those angry chuckles are good every now and then. 

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