Lolla season is upon us and with comes the difficult task of creating your personalized fest experience itinerary. In my general point of view, I think the first step should to consider what mood in which the festival finds you, are you up for watching as many performances as you can pack into your day, do you want to wait out all day at a single stage for the best possible view of a headliner’s set you can get, or if you’re just here for the vibes and well observe from the back. When you have the answer to that (and it can change from day to day), then you’ll know what you’ll have to do all weekend to ensure you have a good time.
But if you want just a little more help with these, the list below was made to give y’all an extra boost as far as which particular are worth the visit to Grant Park while it’s packed with thousands and thousands of people.
Billie Eilish
Billie has seemingly been at the top of the game from the moment she broke through to mainstream fame, but though she’s coming to Lolla with back-to-back albums that have been successful and critically acclaimed, and then leaving her mask with the massive Happier Than Ever, The World Tour, this is her first appearance as a headliner. Eilish topped all that by contributing the gorgeous “What Was I Made For?” to this year’s Barbie soundtrack. Imagine how dope it’ll be to take in the moment when it settles in that Billie really has come this far already, headlining the T-Mobile stage to open the festival.
Beabadobee
One of Indie Rock’s most promising young artists is none other than the Filipino-English singer and songwriter. Beabadobee is playing Lolla this year after releasing Beatopia, an excellent follow-up to her 2020 breakthrough Fake It Flowers. The 2022 album was a peek at her personal growth she’s working on embracing to the tune of delightful melodies and 90s alt production stylings. Also, I just can’t get enough of her guitar sound, so I can only image it’d be sweet to hear live.
Destroy Lonely
The latest rising star coming outta the ATL build on his momentum this year by dropping If Looks Could Kill. Destroy Lonely has used his association with cult hero Playboi Carti and following the path forged by the likes of fellow Atlanta stars Future and Young Thug to grow as an artist through his own merits. His brand of Trap meets experimental production with a dark and menacing aesthetic is a recipe for energetic and dynamic performances that rile up the masses of young fans that vibe with this. If you gel well with a little bit of controlled chaos, you can’t miss this one.
J.I.D
Did you listen to The Forever Story? If you’re a frequent visitor to the pages of Pursuit Of Dopeness, odds are you’re very likely one of us, a person that appreciates the impact J.I.D has made on the Hip Hop genre with this 2022 release. He’s officially stepped up to being an artist that’s delivering on his promising start with release after release that prove he’s one of the finest rappers today. This album is the Dreamville artist’s dopest to date, so you know it’s going to bring out a ton of people to jam out to his latest gems. Also, I need to experience “Dance Now,” at my festival after enjoying it at another festival in Philadelphia last year.
Joey Badass
This Hip Hop purist has been one of the most consistent artists of his generation, continuing to prove himself as one of Rap’s finest to man the mic after dropping modern classics like 1999 and ALL-AMERIKKAN BADA$$. Boom Bap Rap goes hard at music festivals, making you get in the mood for appreciating just how smooth and cool Hip Hop culture continues to be. Add some Brooklyn flair and you’ve got some Dope times ahead of you.
Karol G
Karol G is set to become the first Latina to headline this traditionally Alternative Rock music festival, and she has more than earned this honor. The Pop Reggaeton artist’s current run includes massive hits . La Bichota’s music brings together sensuous vibes with Pop catchiness that can be just as likely to be heard blasting through speakers from cars riding through America’s neighborhoods where Latin peoples thrive and enjoy life, as you would in any club and lounge in a city’s nightlife landscape. If I were a betting man, I’d place all my money that the fame she’s amassed through hit songs like “PROVENZA,” “Tusa,” and “MAMII” will have you leaving her set
Kendrick Lamar
By far the greatest rapper of my generation, and arguably one of the literal GOATs. His long-awaited return to the scene with new music saw the Compton icon deliver another gem that extends his legend-level catalog with Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. This is your chance to catch one of the greatest Rappers to ever do it, you simply can’t miss out on this.
Key Glock
With a new album out this year, the Memphis rapper continues to be one of the most solid artists in the genre these days. Glockoma 2 has its set of bangers that will have Bacardí stage jumping with its intimate environment among the trees.
Lil Yachty
This Georgia rapper has been turning heads for all the right reasons after the release of his Psychedelic venture, Let’s Start Here. Who wouldn’t want to see how Lil Boat assembles his set list with a mix of Soundcloud Rap classics and trippy jams like “the BLACK seminole.” to keep fans satisfied? The unsuspected addition to Pink Floyd’s legacy of influence delivered something incredible with Let’s Start Here, and this is the kind of album that makes you feel like you’re gaining an incredible experience if you get to witness its live show complement.
Tems
Afrobeat’s leading lady has so many songs that are meant to be enjoyed by large crowds vibing together under the sun. She’s been a chance to do so on the biggest stage at the fest, which sounds to me like it’ll be one big party.
TiaCorine
This year saw the North Carolina rapper take some of the biggest leaps of her career so far, with finding herself at New York Fashion Week and Grammys events in LA, to going on tour with fellow Dope Dozen-featured artist Key Glock for his Glockoma Tour. Her music has benefitted from the viral movements that TikTok can create but her music speaks for itself, proving the virality of her songs have more to do with its quality than a random trend. All that and she’s a mom, too?
Zack Fox
It’s been a while since we had a Rapper being this funny, this consistently. His music is so fun and unserious in such a refreshing way that I sometimes forget I need this thrown in the mix sometimes to make my music listening experience to be more balanced, which can be said for anyone, and that’s why it’s perfect for the music fest scene. I doubt his Abbott Elementary character will find its way onto his set considering how non-PC he can be as Zack Fox, but it’d be dope to see some of Tariq’s songs on this stage if it were possible.
