If anyone ever tells you that guitars are dead at big-box festivals, point them straight toward Grant Park. Lollapalooza wrapped up in Chicago, and while pop giants and electronic beats drew massive crowds, rock and roll supplied the absolute pulse of the weekend.
Here are the biggest, loudest, and most unforgettable rock moments that proved distorted guitars, heavy riffs, and raw energy still rule the stage.
Hometown Legends Unleashed: The Smashing Pumpkins Hit Grant Park
Co-headlining the festival, hometown heroes The Smashing Pumpkins delivered a tour-de-force set that bridged the gap between iconic 90s alt-rock and modern rock royalty. Billy Corgan and crew didn’t just run through the classics—they brought out an incredible list of special guests.
- The Guest Spots: The Pumpkins surprised the field by bringing out Yungblud for a roaring rendition of “Luna” and shocked original fans by inviting former bassist Melissa Auf der Maur back to the stage.
- The Standout Moment: Olivia Rodrigo joined the band to sing “33,” showing just how deeply the Pumpkins’ alt-rock legacy influences today’s generation.
Turnstile and Die Spitz Turn Up the Intensity
If you were looking for raw, unbridled aggression, the mid-day sets delivered in spades.
- Die Spitz: Rain and mud didn’t stop the fierce, femme-punk force of Die Spitz. Opening with “Groping Dogs Gushing Blood,” the band incited muddy circle pits and unleashed guttural, snarling vocals that left the crowd completely stunned.
- Turnstile: Post-hardcore heavyweights Turnstile proved once again why they are one of the most vital live bands in modern rock. Bringing non-stop mosh pits, massive singalongs, and high-flying stage energy, their set was a masterclass in hard-hitting rock.
British Indie & Alt-Rock Take Over
The UK rock contingent brought a masterclass in tone, texture, and infectious energy to Chicago.
- Wet Leg: The indie duo delivered an electrifying, offbeat performance packed with driving guitar riffs, kicking things off with “Catch These Fists” and closing down heavy fan-favorites like “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Dream.”
- Wolf Alice & Wunderhorse: Wolf Alice brought their signature blend of dreamy, heavy grunge, while rising UK alt-rockers Wunderhorse turned heads with soaring guitar textures and raw, uninhibited vocal howls on tracks like “Midas” and “Emily.”
Post-Punk, Pop-Punk & Heavy-Hitting Upstarts
From pop-punk throwbacks to dark post-punk grooves, rock was alive across all the side stages:
- Geese: Brooklyn’s own Geese brought their chaotic, experimental post-punk style to the stage, flexing intricate dual-guitar work and manic vocal deliveries that kept the crowd on edge.
- 5 Seconds of Summer: Tapping into early pop-punk nostalgia, 5SOS delivered an energetic set fueled by distorted chords and crowd-pleasing anthems like “She’s Kinda Hot.”
- The Neighborhood: Playing through gear delivery snags, Jesse Rutherford and company relied pure charisma and driving guitar hooks to command thousands with alt-rock hits like “Afraid” and “Cry Baby.”
The Verdict for ZRock Readers
Lollapalooza may have evolved into a genre-spanning giant, but the rock highlights proved that nothing hits like cranked amplifiers, heavy drums, and a roaring crowd in the mud. Rock music isn’t just surviving at major festivals, it’s supplying the rawest energy on the grounds.
Which band’s set are you dying to see on tour this fall? Let us know in the comments below!
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