10 Of The Best Performances From Lollapalooza 2025 – List

Though Lollapalooza 2025 is long over, many of us are definitely not over what we just saw.

Over the past week, thousands of performance clips and video recaps hailing from Chicago’s annual music pilgrimage have stormed the internet, giving fans and audiences far beyond a means of tuning in and experiencing the energy of Grant Park from wherever they were — getting a front-row view of what thousands experience in person.

For every year, Lollapalooza continues to cement its reputation as one of the globe’s most dynamic and diverse music festivals, which is renowned for curating an impressive lineup of acts that span genres, generations, and cultures. Because whether you’re chasing high-octane rock anthems, chart-topping pop hits, or emerging sounds from the indie and underground scenes, the festival’s ability to bring together mainstream giants and genre-defying newcomers across multiple stages over four vibrant days in Chicago is what continues to make it an unparalleled celebration of sound and culture.

This year’s lineup was no exception, with credit to the the wide plethora of acts such as headliners like Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, A$AP Rocky, TWICE, Tyler, the Creator, alongside rising acts such as Magdalena Bay, Role Model, Mk.gee, 2hollis, and more, giving music aficionados a whole lineup of talent (and performances) to binge, discover, and fully immerse onself within.

With all this in mind, Billboard Philippines rounds up our top ten picks from the standout performances from Lollapalooza 2025, capturing the moments that made this year’s festival one of the most unforgettable yet.

KATSEYE

KATSEYE are no stranger to conquering every major stage they set foot in, whether it’s that of ASAP, Mnet, and most recently, Lollapalooza.

The six-member global pop girl group drew in over 85,000 attendees for their daytime set, setting a new festival record and proving that their global impact has never been stronger than ever. After their electrifying and equally playful opening track “Gameboy,” the group followed up with a clean and confident run through their growing discography, with stellar performances of “Debut,” “My Way,” “Tonight I Might,” “Mean Girls,” and an astounding live rendition of their chart-topping hit “Gabriela.”

The latter’s extended bridge segment shocked the crowd present with its fiery nature and matador-inspired execution, while the high-energy pop anthems “Touch,” “M.I.A.,” and “Gnarly” concluded their impressive set with sleek, precise choreography that matched the highest standards of arena-ready pop. What audiences bore witness to was a clear teaser of what to expect from KATSEYE’s upcoming Beautiful Chaos Tour, showcasing that this global pop group is ready to dominate even bigger stages just one year into their career.

Role Model

Role Model may be a rising star as of now, but his set at this year’s Lollapalooza showed audiences just why exactly his charm and his talent have turned him into a global indie-pop and country sensation. Though he flew slightly under the radar compared to the more extravagant headliners, he was able to deliver an enthralling live showcase with an interactive set that brought out The Dare and Olivia Rodrigo as his viral ‘Sally’s’ for his performance of “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” during his main set and performance at the festival’s aftershow.

His set brought out a massive crowd as the festival’s teeny-tiny Tito’s stage, showcasing just how many people came in to catch a glimpse of the viral musician’s set. Still, he was able to deliver one heck of a set, remembered for its emotional intimacy (especially with the more sentimental tracks from his recent album Kansas Anymore), and a stage presence that equally emphasized his cool charisma, heartfelt lyricism, and relatable vulnerability, giving fans and audiences a performance that was just as energetic as it was emotional.

Tyler, the Creator

Returning after his 2024 cancellation from the festival, Tyler, the Creator took to the Lollapalooza stage with the controlled chaos and creativity that have come to define him and his music. His Lollapalooza set was a stripped-down masterclass in hip-hop showmanship, opening with “Big Poe” and diving into tracks from his latest album Don’t Tap the Glass, including “Sugar on My Tongue,” “Rah Tah Tah,” and the deeply introspective “Noid” from CHROMAKOPIA.

Despite being recognized for his showmanship skills, Tyler surprisingly kept production minimal, forgoing the use of pyrotechnics and elaborate set pieces, allowing his wordplay, charisma, and lyrical rawness to take center stage. Yet even with the focus on his newer material, he still fed fans’ hunger for classics, peppering the set with standouts like “New Magic Wand,” “WUSYANAME,” “See You Again,” and “Earfquake.” And given the energy that we’ve become accustomed to from the rap icon, his set was not just a redemption of last year’s cancellation, but a clear reminder of why he remains one of the most inventive and emotionally complex artists in modern hip-hop.

Clairo

Though no matcha was present on the festival grounds, Clairo brought dreamlike serenity to Lollapalooza’s massive sprawl, performing a stunning, emotionally textured set that felt more like a personal diary entry than your usual festival spectacle. With an emphasis on tracks from her latest record Charm, the indie-alt phenomenon took audiences on a whirlwind journey across moody tones and intimate storytelling, bathing the crowd in soft pastels and velvet synths, and her voice floating above layers of live instrumentation.

Aside from a guest appearance from her fellow Shelly bandmates for a performance of “Steeeam,” Clairo also reinterpreted her earlier bedroom-pop tunes (such as “Flamin’ Hot Cheetos” and “4EVER”) in a jazzy-folk manner, also dipping into her earlier indie-pop roots with “Sofia” and “Bags,” which excited longtime fans of hers. Yet as dreamy as the ambiance was, the real magic of her set lay in the details — whether it was her confident stillness, her ease with vulnerability, and the way she held space for gentle emotions amidst a high-energy environment.

Sabrina Carpenter (with Earth, Wind, and Fire)

Sabrina Carpenter’s Sunday evening set turned into the weekend’s most delightful surprises, giving audiences a pop spectacle that grew into a generational collaboration. After a sparkling run-through of her own hits like “Feather,” “Nonsense,” “Espresso,” and the ever-cheeky “Please Please Please,” Carpenter pulled a move no one saw coming — bringing out soul-funk icons Earth, Wind & Fire with only 24 hours’ notice.

The legendary funk band joined her for euphoric renditions of “Let’s Groove” and “September,” transforming the stage into a joyous dance party that not only spanned decades of pop music, but also bridged them together for one of the festival’s most memorable performances this year. As always, Carpenter’s blend of humor, camp, and confidence (especially as she “arrested” members of TWICE onstage, for instance) solidified her as both a pop star and a savvy showwoman. It’s yet another clear example of why her live performances have become a must-see moment amongst millions of her fans worldwide, proving just how much she’s skilled at enamoring a crowd of millions with ease.

Djo

Joe Keery’s musical persona of Djo crafted one of this year’s most heartfelt and conceptual sets, turning his performance into a surreal love letter to Chicago. Performing in front of a giant inflatable “Bean,” Djo ran through synth-heavy, psychedelic tracks like “Change,” “Gloom,” “Half Life,” and, of course, the viral smash “End of Beginning.”

The track, which recently reignited on TikTok, brought the crowd to an emotional peak, especially when a children’s choir joined him for the chorus. With members of his former band Post Animal joining in, the set took on an air of reunion and return, given the unique blend of nostalgia, sci-fi aesthetic, and genuine affection for his roots that made his set a poignant and memorable journey through his artistry.

Magdalena Bay

Is it fair to say that Magdalena Bay is out of this world?

The performance of the indie-pop duo, comprised of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, could easily be noted as a sensory overload in the best possible way as they perfectly executed an audiovisual fever dream that transported Lollapalooza into their futuristic universe. Performing the entirety of their critically acclaimed album Imaginal Disk, they mesmerized fans and audiences alike with shimmering electro-pop tracks like “Image,” “Death & Romance,” “Love Is Everywhere,” and “Cry For Me” while evolving through glowing angel wings, flickering avatars, and surreal costume changes that mirrored the album’s digital themes.

Helmed by Tenenbaum’s infectious (and equally eccentric) stage presence, their commitment to concept and cohesion was unmatched — with every beat and visual layered into one cohesive narrative. Some would describe their set as performance art of the finest nature, yet its execution also immersed audiences in one massive dance party that not only entertained those in attendance but also immersed them in the maximalist world of Imaginal Disk.

Olivia Rodrigo (with Weezer)

Olivia Rodrigo’s Lollapalooza performance was pure fire — with equal parts angst, polish, and surprise.

With a stage presence that’s grown more commanding each year, the pop-rock superstar stormed through anthemic hits like “all-american bitch,” “vampire,” “deja vu,” and the screamingly cathartic “good 4 u” with seamless precision. However, the peak moment of her jam-packed set came when she introduced Weezer mid-set, prompting a sea of wide-eyed fans as the alt-rock veterans joined her for “Buddy Holly” and “Say It Ain’t So.”

Though Weezer’s special appearance during her set was a welcome surprise of its own, Rodrigo was also able to prove just how easily she could hold her own alongside the rock veterans. Her unabashed appreciation for the group and their impact on her music was evident in her performance, and allowed her to exude total rockstar confidence that made their joint performance feel like one of the most natural team-ups in the festival’s history. Given just how great it was, it undoubtedly became one of this year’s most buzzed-about moments, while also reaffirming Rodrigo’s genre versatility, impressive live skills, and a deep love for the music that shaped her.

Doechii

Rap phenomenon Doechii transformed her set into one bold, genre-bending stage production titled “Doechii’s School of Hip-Hop,” blending education, empowerment, and pure entertainment for one of this year’s best Lollapalooza sets. With dancers dressed as students, a full classroom set, and tongue-in-cheek interludes, she tore through tracks like “STANKA POOH,” “Boiled Peanuts,” and her remix of Beyoncé’s “America Has a Problem.” Adding more to the already packed setlist, she was joined by JT for a surprise live rendition of their track “Alter Ego,” which surely brought the crowd to a fever pitch.

Through every live performance that Doechii has continued to do, the lines between concert and concept show have continuously blurred even further, combining her lyrical talent with visual storytelling in a way that turns each of her performances into a statement. Fortunately, for those who got to watch what she accomplished at this year’s Lollapalooza, she consistently rewrites the rules and limitations of what a hip-hop set can be, doing it with style and substance that are signature to her craft.

TWICE

TWICE’s headlining slot was not only a genre first in the history of Lollapalooza, but also a full-blown celebration of K-pop excellence on a global platform.

Taking the stage with matching denim outfits and laser-focused energy, the nine-member group performed a powerhouse run of 21 tracks that encompassed the very best tracks of their (already impeccable) discography over the past ten years. The entire group moved in perfect unison all throughout their 90-minute set — their vocals pristine, and energy incomparable — all while engaging the massive crowd that came to see them take the stage.

Whether it was through high-energy openers like “The Feels,” underrated B-sides such as “Cry For Me,” or even their most recent set of chart-toppers, “Takedown,” “Strategy,” and “THIS IS FOR,” every moment of their live performance was translated with sheer passion and a commitment to their craft. Even a surprise drone moment that lit up the sky, stating ‘THE HONMOON IS SEALED,’ showcased just how significant their music ties with modern-day pop culture.

There’s no doubting as to why they’ve been crowned South Korea’s very own “Nation’s Girl Group,” as their headlining set not only enamored the thousands of ONCE in attendance, but it even converted several more audience members who were previously unfamiliar with their music. For not only was this a celebration of TWICE’s undeniable impact (and significant contributions) on K-pop as a genre, but it proved that their reach is everlasting and forever resonant with millions of people — whether or not they’re attuned to the genre of K-pop.