Lollapalooza closed outs its 25th year celebration in big time fashion Sunday night. Sunday night lacked the giant headliners that Friday and Saturday had but had plenty of star power and variety to close out in perfect fashion.
LCD Soundsystem and Elle Goulding had the honors of closing out the two main stages. The two secondary stages held EDM star ZHU and the never boring, never predictable Die Antwoord. These four acts provided four different shows and four fantastic options for the fans in attendance to end their fest.
Earlier in the day, Australia’s own Flume attracted one of the biggest crowds of his career and the everyone in attendance was rewarded with big time surprise guests Vince Staples and Vic Mensa. In a festival with big time established EDM acts like Major Lazer, Martin Garrix and Disclosure, Flume might have had the biggest crowd and some of the biggest pops of the festival. He is definitely ready for world domination – if he’s not there already.
Here are some other highlights of the best of the fourth and final day of Lollapalooza.
Die Antwoord
Words could never describe what a Die Antwoord show is like. But I’ll do my best. The South African hip hop duo is absolute insane magnificence. Tonight’s show featured fire, dinosaur costumes, and crowd surfing rubber duckies. It was the most fun I’ve had this weekend.
Ninja and Yolandi are undeniably talented as is thier DJ but the production level of thier show is unmatched by nearly everyone in the industry. The theatrics, costume changes, pyrotechnics and EDM interludes help the show flow seamlessly. There was never a lull and the crowd was jumping along for 75 straight minutes.
There was even a surprise when Cypress Hill came out to do a recent collaboration that led into “Insane in the Membrane”. Pitted against one of Pop’s biggest stars and the newsworthy reunion of one of the best live rock bands on the planet I never once doubted I was making the wrong decision seeing Die Antwoord. These South Africans are truly a gift to the US, to live music and especially to Lollapalooza.
Halsey
A year ago Halsey played this same festival but on the smallest stage Grant Park has to offer. A year later, Halsey played in front of the largest afternoon crowd on the biggest stage. A sign she has arrived and is a presence to be reckoned with.
Halsey was the breakout surprise performance for me at Bonnaroo and her Lolla set packed just as much punch.
Halsey’s explosive stage presence, enchanting vocals and a captivating stage setup brought one of the most polished, energy packed sets of the festival. Halsey has a sense to make an immediate emotional connection to her fans and crowd. Even taking a minute to plead her audience to love themselves for whoever they are and what ever they believe in. A message like that resonates especially loud in the United States right now.
I said it after Bonnaroo and I’ll say it again Halsey is poised to be a major major superstar.
Vince Staples
The 23 year old rapper from Long Beach was my number one anticipated hip-hop act of this Lollapalooza and he did not disappoint.
Summertime ’06 is one of the best hip hop albums of the past few years and its beats and his voice translate perfectly to stage. Armed with just a DJ, Vince and his hoodie relied solely on the tracks and his flow. He was a man of very few words but every time he spoke he came off hillarious and insightful showing the young man in his 20s has just about everything going for him.
What I loved about his show was it was entirely led by the music. There was no spectacle. No side show. No distractions. Just beats, rhymes and non stop hands in the air. Vince is a star on the rise. I can’t wait to see what he becomes.
HAIM
This alt rock trio of Sisters burst on the scene in 2013 with their debut album “Days are Gone.” After a year in the studio, Haim are back on the road before their new album arrives.
What makes this band so enjoyable to watch live is how each sister’s personality shines on stage. They are as hillarious as they are talented. The highlight of the show was middle sister Este Haim telling a story of her and her older sister attending Lollapalooza in 2007 and being front row for Amy Winehouse at the very same stage they were playing on. She said the two sisters promised each other they would someday play Lollapalooza.
It was a truly inspiring story and made them come off so humble and sincere. Their old stuff sounded as great live as it always has, especially “My Song 5 ” “The Wire” and “Falling.” Playing two of their new cuts brought a lot of anticipation for their first album in three years.
Lapsley
This English singer-songwriter definitely brings to life comparisons to Adele and her voice is just as captivating. Her bands smooth EDM sounds gives you an idea what a James Blake/Adele collaboration could sound like. Lapsley seemed reserve on stage and admitted to having a lacking songbook to choose from but this girl has a bright future ahead.
Oh Wonder
This band from London led by Josephine Vander Gucht and Anthony West have only been making music together for 18 months, yet are already crushing the festival circuit. Their sound and beautiful harmonies bring to mind early The xx. Vander Gucht is infectious on stage and this band and their rookie charm is captivating.
Marian Hill
This US-based band burst on the scene last year with their inventive electronic sound mixed with incredible vocals from their lead singer Samantha Gongol and just enough saxophone. Gongol’s voice is incredible and with the backdrop of the bands infectious beats it created an incredible early afternoon set. Their creative take on Whitney Houston’s “I Want to Dance with Somebody” has been the best cover of the festival.
The wide range of acts Sunday had to offer capped off a truly remarkable and memorable festival. Check back later this week for a recap of the best of the fest.
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