Charli xcx, Slayyyter, Zara Larson and the Women Who Owned Lollapalooza 2026
No amount of mud or rain could ruin a weekend like Lollapalooza. And there's something kind of magical about that. Every summer, Chicago's Grant Park transforms into the center of the music world as Lollapalooza welcomes hundreds of thousands of fans for four days of celebrating music.
Slayyyter by Taylor Regulski, Lollapalooza
It's one of the biggest weekends of the year for music, but what makes it special isn't just the stacked lineup. It's the feeling of being surrounded by thousands of people who are just as excited to be there as you are. Whether you're discovering your next favorite band on a side stage, dancing through a summer downpour, or singing every word with complete strangers, everyone is there for the same reason.
Lollapalooza 2026 was a reminder that live music has a way of bringing people together like nothing else. Friday, in particular, was defined by the women. From rising stars to global pop icons, Day 2 featured some of the most talked-about artists in music. Each performance bringing a completely different vibe to the stage while showcasing the power of music.
Walking into the festival, you could immediately tell who was playing that day. The overlap between Charli xcx and Slayyyter fans was impossible to miss. People mixed BRAT and Worst Girl in America aesthetics together, wearing a Slayyyter hat with a Charli shirt. I even saw a handmade shirt that said “Wor$t BRAT in America”. Glitter covered faces, muddy boots stomped through the park, and tiny shorts with fishnets were everywhere. It was a party girl's dream, with the Worst Girl in America meeting BRAT in one crowd.
Originally scheduled for one of the festival's side stages, it quickly became clear that Slayyyter had outgrown the slot. About a week before the festival organizers moved her to a main stage to accommodate the demand. And it was clear this was the right decision. Right as festival doors opened fans ran to the stage and the barricade had been claimed. Slayyyter drew one of the biggest afternoon crowds of the weekend. Even as the rain started to fall, no one moved. If anything, it only made the set feel more electric. Sweat mixed with rain as the crowd danced through every song. It was impossible to tell where one ended and the other began. Standing in that crowd, it felt like you were witnessing one of the many career-defining moments of Slayyyter's career.
She debuted her new song, "Brand New Chanel$," and the crowd ate it up. Even though it was the one of the first times hearing it live it had already become a staple of her set. The crowd danced and screamed the words despite it being out for only a couple of days. Slayyyter set the bar high with incredible performances of “CRANK IT”, “$T. LOSER” and “I’M ACTUALLY KINDA FAMOUS”, but the rest of the afternoon had no trouble keeping up.
Suki Waterhouse by Dusana Karam, Lollapalooza
Crossing Grant Park to the other side of the festival grounds, it quickly became apparent that Friday was dominated by powerhouse performances from women. Suki Waterhouse completely changed the mood in the best way. She walked onstage in white sunglasses wearing a pink fur top under a flowy sheer pink robe covered in beads and ruffles. Behind her, a giant heart-shaped locket disco ball tied the whole set together and made the stage feel straight out of Loveland. "Moves" was easily one of the highlights of the set. The crowd swayed, sang every word, and for a few minutes it felt like everyone in Grant Park was completely lost in the moment.
After Suki's dreamy set, Zara Larsson brought the energy right back up on the main stage. Walking out in a tiny striped sparkly top with intricate rhinestone eye makeup, she immediately commanded the crowd's attention. Every song was paired with razor-sharp choreography and effortless confidence. She kept her energy high, feeding off the crowd and even inviting a fan onstage to do the iconic "Lush Life" dance. By the end of her set, everyone in Grant Park was on their feet, from the barricade all the way to the end of the field, where fans were already gathering for Not for Radio. Zara proved exactly why she's one of pop's most exciting live performers.
As the sun began to set, María Zardoya returned to Lollapalooza with her new solo project, Not for Radio, delivering a magical and cinematic performances. Before the music began, she shared how happy she was to be back after performing with The Marías the year prior.
Not For Radio by Andrea Escobar
The stage looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. It was covered in moss and earthy greenery that made the whole performance feel magical. María opened the set in a flowing white lace dress that matched the soft dreamlike beginning. By the end she had changed into an all black outfit as the mood grew darker. Every part of the performance felt intentional. The storytelling was phenomenal and each song helped the story unfold naturally onstage.
After a day filled with unforgettable performances from some of the music industry's most exciting women there was only one artist left to close out the night. The sun had set and the Chicago skyline glowed behind Grant Park. Giant Lollapalooza balloons floated above the crowd while the city lights lit up the night. Thousands of fans packed together waiting for one thing. It was finally Charli time.
Whether you had been waiting at the barricade for nearly 12 hours or were running across Grant Park to make it in time, everyone was filled with a collective excitement. As rain fell over Grant Park, it felt less like a disruption and more like part of the performance. The weather only added to the atmosphere making the already unforgettable moment feel even more poetic.
Pulling from her newest era, Music, Fashion, Film, while still giving fans the BRAT moments they came for, Charli delivered the perfect finale to the day. Opening the set with "Rock Music" and introducing the crowd to new tracks like "Camera" and "Wink Wink," she gave fans a first look at the next chapter of her career.
But Charli didn't leave behind the era that made this moment possible. She brought the crowd back to BRAT with fan favorites like "Club classics," "365," "Von dutch," and "Guess." As the rain poured down over Grant Park, her performance of "party 4 u" became one of the night's most memorable moments. The entire crowd was soaked and singing “I only threw this party for you”
From the first beat of Slayyyter’s set to the final notes of Charli’s encore, Friday at Lollapalooza 2026 was a testament to the power of women in music. It was a day defined by glitter, rain, and the unforgettable feeling of being young and completely lost in the music.
All photos courtesy of Lollapalooza
