Stray Kids lights up Grant Park in headlining set: Lollapalooza review
Performing opposite Missouri-born singer songwriter SZA is an unenviable task, but South Korean K-pop octet Stray Kids more than rose to the occasion during 90 minutes on the Bud Light north main stage.
The group’s experimental pop sound culls from a variety of genres, and Stray Kids touched on rock, rap, pop, EDM and more Friday night at Lollapalooza.
Moving deftly between stage levels, the group’s core were backed ably by a tight four-piece band that was given space to stretch out, providing live guitar, drums, bass and keyboards.
“Stray Kids… Stray Kids…” came the whisper across Grant Park as the group made their way to the stage following an extended opening performance by the backing band.
Two band members speak English fluently (Chan and Felix) with a third who speaks it well (Han). And while the group has written in Korean, Japanese and English, Friday night’s performance was heavy on the latter.
Allowing the band time to find its footing, a banner finally dropped about five minutes in as Stray Kids made their way to the stage, offering up “Super Bowl” early.
“Chicago, are you ready?” asked Felix. “Put your hands up!” he continued, later offering up a gruff rap on the track.
Friday night’s performance marked the group’s third major concert in Chicago following sets in 2020 at Rosemont Theatre and 2022 at United Center before making the jump to a respectable festival audience Friday despite significant competition.
Fans held aloft the group’s signature light sticks, illuminating Butler Field on Grant Park’s north end. And during “Domino,” Stray Kids projected lasers across the crowd, lighting the treeline along Balbo Drive.
Taking a break, the Stray Kids members left the stage as the backing band worked up a bit of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir,” rocking out the 50-year-old classic for one of Friday’s youngest crowds.
Incisive live guitar cut through “Charmer” while synths drove “Maniac” later.
“Chicago, are you ready?” asked Han, with fireworks soon exploding over the stage during “Lalalala.”
An even bigger fireworks display kicked off “Chk Chk Boom” as the band emerged from encore, heading for home north of the Grant Park softball pits with an EDM-enhanced banger.
“You guys are amazing. The heat, the temperature, wow!” said Felix. “This is all because of you.”
Lollapalooza 2024 in photos
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Tyla performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Tyla performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Iverson Woods and Jade Flournoy pose for a photo on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Matt Hansen performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Matt Hansen performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Matt Hansen performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Elizabeth Gorney and Makayla Cooper, pose for a photo in pink cowboy hats that represent Chappell Roan on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Queen Mcneil poses for a photo on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Festival goers enjoy Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Kayleigh Cowan, Megan Drake and Kiersten Maurer pose for a photo in their Chappell Roan shirts on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Chappell Roan performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Chappell Roan fans wait at the barricade before her set on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Adan Diaz performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Fans cheer as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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A fan holds the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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A fan pretends to bite the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Labrinth performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Labrinth performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Labrinth performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.
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Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
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Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.
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Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
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Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.
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Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Stay Safe Lolla is displayed on a tower prior to Megan Thee Stallion performing on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Kids watch Taj Farrant perform at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Queen Herby performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Vocalist Cameron Winter and bassist Dominic DiGesu perform as Geese on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Festival-goers dress up as the Power Rangers as thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Fans listen to Wisp on the Second day of LollaPalloza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ava Maybee performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ava Maybee performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Queen Herby performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Taj Farrant performs at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Laufey performs with the Chicago Philharmonic on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Laufey performs with the Chicago Philharmonic on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Laufey performs with the Chicago Philharmonic on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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