12 Best Performances From Lollapalooza 2026
At this year’s Lollapalooza, history was definitely made by artists and acts making their festival debuts, as well as through exciting collaborations that had the internet buzzing.
SB19, JENNIE, BEABADOOBEE, 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER: Photographed by Victoria Sanders, Josh Brasted, courtesy of @radvxz, photographed by Erika Goldring
SB19: Photographed by Victoria Sanders
This year, Lollapalooza once again took over Chicago’s Grant Park, bringing together an exciting lineup of artists spanning multiple genres.
The festival, which was livestreamed on Disney+, brought an all-access experience to the festival with a lineup of artists from across continents, making it possible to catch your favorites live while also discovering artists you hadn’t heard before.
From highly anticipated debuts and unexpected collaborations that showcased why music is best experienced with a packed crowd of fans, to songs blasting through the biggest speakers and artists embracing the connection between their music and their fans, Lollapalooza 2026 proved why live performances are always noteworthy core memories.
With that, Billboard Philippines revisits the best performances from this year’s edition of the annual four-day music festival — from the biggest artists around the world to rising stars that are worth watching.
SB19
The Kings of P-pop made a tantalizing Lollapalooza debut in front of thousands of festivalgoers and A’TIN. Their set featured fan-favorite tracks from across their catalog, delivering the high-energy performance that made for a memorable first impression on the festival crowd. SB19 also performed their latest single, “LAWLESS,” live for the first time, alongside their previously announced cover of Francis Magalona’s “Mga Kababayan.” One of the biggest highlights came when the iconic Chicago Bulls mascot, Benny the Bull, joined them onstage to dance to “DUNGKA!”
5 Seconds of Summer
Suddenly, it feels like 2014 again. As 5 Seconds of Summer took a break from their Everyone’s a Star! Tour, they brought all the glitz and glam of being “the biggest boyband you’ve never heard of” to the Lollapalooza stage. The band showcased their signature versatility with a set that spanned recent singles and nostalgic fan favorites, even taking the performance above the crowd for an unforgettable moment. One of the biggest surprises was their cover of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” a deep cut that longtime fans experienced over a decade ago.
Zara Larsson
Under the Chicago sun, Zara Larsson turned up the summer heat with a thrilling, must-watch pop set. The “Midnight Sun” hitmaker had everyone on their feet, transforming the festival grounds into one massive dance floor. Staying in tune to her live performance traditions, Larsson invited an audience member onstage to dance and sing along with her during “Lush Life,” which did not disappoint. With the vibrant Lollapalooza stage welcoming her with open arms, the performance also marked her biggest US crowd so far.
Olivia Dean
Lollapalooza needed Olivia Dean. The “Man I Need” hitmaker proved why she was well worth gracing this year’s festival as she enthralled the crowd with her impeccable vocals. Compared to other sets that were loud and all-out, her set was an intimate experience. Marking her first time headlining a festival in America, she had the crowd completely magnetized to her sweeping tracks. She even brought out surprise guest Sam Fender for the live debut of their hit duet, Fender’s “Rein Me In.”
sombr
One of music’s rising stars today, sombr turned his Lollapalooza performance into a less somber affair. The “back to friends” hitmaker played a setlist featuring songs like “we never dated,” “undressed,” “Potential,” “Homewrecker,” and, of course, “back to friends.” Not to mention, he teamed up with 5 Seconds of Summer onstage for a surprise performance of “She Looks So Perfect,” and his addition to the song was nothing short of perfection.
beabadoobee
Before she fully embraces her Pylon era, beabadoobee previewed her upcoming fourth record, due in September, with an energetic indie rock set that turned back the clock on ’90s grunge. As expected, she performed fan favorites like “Beaches,” “She Plays Bass,” and “Apple Cider,” as well as Pylon songs “Switchblade” and “Sun Has Set.”
JENNIE
JENNIE made history as Lollapalooza’s first-ever female K-pop solo headliner. This milestone was demonstrated through a setlist that showcased the BLACKPINK member’s undeniable stage presence and visuals. Everything was Ruby as songs from her debut album, like “like JENNIE,” “Mantra,” “Love Hangover,” and “ExtraL,” captivated the crowd. She also performed the hit remix version of Tame Impala’s “Dracula” and her most recent single, “Less Than a Lover.”
Charli xcx
Brat summer isn’t over just yet. Charli xcx took over Grant Park and turned it into a rave that was all hits and no misses. It was an all-out party that mixed the old with the new. Brat tracks like “Apple,” “360,” “Sympathy is a knife,” and “Club Classics” made it seem like Brat was here to stay. Tracks from her latest record, Music, Fashion, and Film, were also part of the set, including “Rock Music,” “Camera,” “SS26,” and “Card Declined.” Every Charli xcx live performance is one you wouldn’t want to miss.
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins made their return to their hometown of Chicago with a headlining set that delivered a wave of nostalgia through some of rock’s greatest classics. But their homecoming was also filled with surprises. The band performed “The Everlasting Gaze” with former bassist and backing vocalist Melissa Auf der Maur, while YUNGBLUD joined them for “Luna.” Olivia Rodrigo also took the stage alongside frontman Billy Corgan for an acoustic rendition of “Thirty-Three” from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Just as they have captivated generations of music fans, their Lollapalooza set felt like a true meeting of generations, bringing together fans of alternative music, old and new.
Tate McRae
Tate McRae returned to Lollapalooza with her first headlining set, delivering a performance that was one for the books. She served all the hits with songs like “you broke me first,” “greedy,” “Just Keep Watching” from F1: The Movie, and “It’s ok I’m ok.” But it was her set-closing finale performance of “Sports car,” which saw her getting drenched in liquid gold in a dramatic, pop star–embracing fashion and became one of the highlights of the entire festival.
Lorde
She has risen. Lorde‘s headlining set at Lollapalooza showcased her versatility not just as a performer, but as a songwriter. Her artistry was on full display as her emotionally charged set featured songs that this generation grew up with, like “Royals” and “Ribs.” There’s no better way to relapse into those feelings than to experience her music live, with a crowd singing “Supercut” in unison. Charli xcx even took the stage to perform their viral collaboration, “Girl, so confusing.”
aespa
aespa turned their Lollapalooza debut into a spectacle, bringing their hyper-futuristic and metallic-chic aesthetics to the Chicago crowd. The four-member girl group — Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning — opened their set with “Black Mamba” and even brought along surprise guest Ty Dolla $ign for their collaboration “Switchblade,” whose accompanying music video they unveiled after the festival.
CORTIS
Another debut-making K-pop group at Lollapalooza was CORTIS, the rising five-member boy band that proved to be all gas and no brakes when it came to their live performances. Sharing a lineup filled with festival staples and some of the biggest names in music, the group didn’t feel out of place. Their set featured songs like “GO!,” “REDRED,” and “FaSHioN,” with the group showcasing their confidence and energy, which surely made a lasting impression on the crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lollapalooza 2026 took place at Chicago’s Grant Park, streamed live on Disney+, featuring artists across genres including P-pop, K-pop, pop, and alternative rock.
JENNIE became Lollapalooza’s first female K-pop solo headliner, while aespa and CORTIS delivered festival debut performances showcasing P-pop and K-pop’s growing global concert presence.
SB19 debuted “LAWLESS” live, performed a Francis Magalona cover, and brought Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull onstage to dance during “DUNGKA!”
Notable collaborations included Olivia Dean with Sam Fender, sombr with 5 Seconds of Summer, Charli xcx with Lorde, and Smashing Pumpkins with YUNGBLUD.
Headliners included JENNIE, Charli xcx, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tate McRae, and Lorde, spanning K-pop, pop, and alternative rock across the festival’s four-day Chicago lineup.
