It is coming – this summer. It has taken over our bank accounts and our excitement levels. There’s something circulating among the students here at WO. What is it? Lollapalooza – the annual music festival taking place in Chicago. This is a time for thousands of people to come together from all different cities for the same reason – the love for music. The anticipation is high, and many people are longing to experience the event that is spreading joy through the halls here at WO. This year’s festival is going to be bigger and better than previous years in order to adequately celebrate its 25 year anniversary. Many of our very own are attending Lollapalooza’s milestone event  this summer.    

  Lollapalooza is making its big return on July 28th through the 31st, better than ever before. The event takes place in Grant Park, Chicago. Four-day tickets, which cost $335, sold out within 45 minutes of release. One day tickets, which cost $120 each, sold out as well, and trying to get tickets was quite an overwhelming experience. “I had to open up a lot of computers to get the page loaded up to buy tickets since many people were on the website to try and purchase tickets,” Sr. Kassidy Sophouthalandsy said. Many were lucky enough to get tickets, but some attempts were more stressful than others. “It’s really hard to get tickets. We had to sit there for like 2 hours on the computer, but it was so worth it!” Sr. Hannah Karp said.

  Personally, my attempt to get tickets was quite nerve-racking. I was unable to get my hands on four day tickets, so I decided to try and get two one-day passes. Tickets were to go on sale at 11 a.m. sharp, but there was a wait. The website slowly let people through to purchase the tickets. There was a catch because even if it went through after the wait, getting tickets was still not guaranteed. They could sell out just when it is time to go to checkout and pay. There is a timer that counts down how long is left to complete the purchase which made me even more nervous. If time runs out, the website will kick the customer out and force him or her to wait and start the process all over. The lineup is a big factor when it comes down to the stressful process of obtaining tickets           

  For four days, there will be performances from many different artists from different genres. Sr. Ceasar Montes is most excited to see Bryson Tiller, an upcoming artist, on Sunday. “They did a good job of spreading out different genres throughout the entire weekend so that everyone is satisfied,” Montes said. Each day has a different lineup of performers. The lineup of performers is phenomenal this year. There will be more than 170 performances. The headliners for Thursday include G-eazy, Lana Del Rey, J.Cole, Bastille, The 1975, and more. Friday has Future, Major Lazaer, Radiohead, and Martin Garrix. Then saturday has the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tory Lanez, and Disclosure performing. Then to top off the weekend, Sunday’s lineup includes Flume, Halsey, Ellie Goulding, Yellow Claw, and Bryson Tiller. Only a few were listed, there are way more artists that will be present on each day. Each day there are acts that will be enjoyable to everyone. There will always be someone that people will want to see. “I think that Thursday and Friday definitely have the best acts, but overall the lineup for the entire weekend is really good,” Sr. Alexus Phimthasak said. In previous years, the event usually only lasts for three days, but not this year. This year, Lollapalooza is taking on FOUR days. This means that there is a whole extra day for additional acts and more fun. The festival usually goes on from Friday to Sunday, but this summer, Thursday will start off the four day event with one of the best lineups of the weekend. Sr. Destiny Akavong is excited to see The 1975 on Thursday and believes that Saturday has the best lineup. Sr. McKenna Stam is extremely excited to see The Last Shadow Puppets perform. “I’m also super excited for Lana Del Rey. There are a ton of great performers this year, J Cole, G-Eazy, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many others,” Stam said. No matter which day is attended, the concert goer will not be disappointed by the acts.

  Even in the early stages of preparation, WO students are eager for the ringing of music, crowds of people, and the adrenaline rush of concerts. The 25th anniversary of Lollapalooza has potential to be one of the best in Lollapalooza history.