Lollapalooza 2025 is having an indie-alt takeover
The 2025 Lollapalooza lineup has been released, and it’s no surprise that in the wake of an indie revival, the over-20-year-old festival is filled with up-and-coming artists paving their way in the music scene. With this year’s headliners mostly hailing from the mainstream scene, the rest of the lineup is a mixed bag of the best indie acts to see at the four-day festival.
Royal Otis:
Among the most anticipated is Royal Otis, the Sydney-based duo of Royel Madden and Otis Pavlovic. If their names don’t ring a bell, their viral cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” certainly might a track that swept TikTok and reintroduced the campy disco classic to a whole new audience. But they’re far from a cover band. Their 2024 LP PRATTS & PAINS proves they’re a force in their own right, channeling surf rock, psych pop, and a nostalgic yet modern energy that feels tailor-made for a midday Lolla set.
Songs like “Foam” and “Adored” balance breezy melodies with tight production, capturing the sunlit aimlessness of summer with just enough bite. Their shows are a joyous blur of guitar riffs, cheeky banter, and unfiltered charisma. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious about the buzz, Royal Otis are not to be missed.
Mk.gee:
If Royal Otis brings the sunshine, Mk.gee brings the storm. The New Jersey-born, LA-based multi-instrumentalist Michael Gordon has had a breakout year following the release of his debut album Two Star & The Dream Police, a record that plays like a late-night confession whispered through blown-out speakers. His sound is textured and intimate, defined by raw, expressive vocals and jagged guitar work that dances between a slow R&B, post-punk, and moody indie rock.
Tracks like “Alesis” and “Breakthespell” don’t just playthey unravel. In a live setting, Mk.gee leans fully into the tension, stretching songs to their emotional brink with hypnotic precision. His set is best performed in the dark of the night in a lowly a smoke-filled venue, a festival like Lolla is the exact place for a day time debut. This year marks his first run of major festival dates, and Lolla gives him the perfect platform to cement his reputation as one of indie’s most compelling performers.
Gigi Perez:
Then there’s Gigi Perez, whose music exists in the quiet tension between vulnerability and restraint. After gaining traction with the viral “Sailor Song” a slow-building track anchored in lyrical repetition and aching emotional depth — Perez has carved out a niche somewhere between indie folk and alt-pop. Their most recent releases, “Please Be Rude” and “Chemistry,” expand that world, layering soft guitars and hushed vocals with cinematic melancholy.
Perez’s music is deeply introspective, built for headphones but surprisingly powerful live. Expect a performance that feels more like a shared secret than a show, the kind of intimate moment that stays with you long after the set ends, making Gigi Perez’ powerful set to fill the day
Dominic Fike:
In a way, Dominic Fike is the festival’s wildcard. 2025 could be the year he takes the Lolla stage to perform his equally energetic and tranquil setlist. Fike returned last summer with Sunburn and 14 Minutes, two projects that reestablished him as a summer soundtrack staple.
Lollapalooza 2024 by Nathan Zucker.
His recent work leans into warm guitar tones, stream-of-consciousness lyrics, and a breezy, Florida-born charm. Songs like “Pasture Child” and “coast2coast” feel like driving with the windows down and hearing them live in Grant Park might just make up for the long wait. He recently returned with former Lolla alum Kevin Abstract to form “Geezer” and released two music videos of their debut track “Blush” and hopefully this partnership make its debut performance in Grant Park.
Del Water Gap:
Last but far from least is Del Water Gap, otherwise known as S. Holden Jaffe, who’s quietly become one of indie’s most interesting voices. His breakout track, “Ode to Conversations Stuck in Your Throat,” set the tone: hyper-personal lyrics, yearning vocals, and just enough pop polish to keep it from sinking into sadness. Since then, Jaffe has toured with Maggie Rogers, scored film soundtracks, and crafted songs that oscillate between chaotic confession and restrained elegance.
His live shows are cathartic, balancing anthemic highs with tender lows. Whether singing about a one-night stand or a missed connection, Jaffe makes even the smallest moments feel monumental the perfect energy for a bright mid day set.
As legacy acts retire and pop’s center of gravity continues to shift, Lollapalooza 2025 is embracing a new era. These artists aren’t just riding the wave of indie’s resurgence they’re defining it. Their sounds are varied, their approaches experimental, but their impact is real. Whether you’re front row with your favorite band tee or discovering someone new from the back of the crowd, these are the acts that’ll soundtrack your summer, your group chat, and maybe even your year.
Indie’s moment is now, and Lollapalooza is ready to prove it. Get your tickets here.
