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Chicago, IL

August 3 - August 5

2012

Were you at Lolla 2012?

We want to hear from you — share your best Lolla story below!

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while the evacuation raged

by susanadarwin on feb 07, 2013

An avid Lollapalooza fan since 2007, I was crushed to realize that no, I really couldn't pull off attending both the big co... More

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Empires finally plays Lolla

by Marsacademy on feb 09, 2013

I generally go to Lolla no matter what, so having one of my very favorite bands - Empires, whose first show I had been at in 2008 - added to the line-up was a bonus. Despite predictions of bad weather, I was in line early Saturday to make sure I had a prime spot at the BMI stage for Empires' set. The bands before them were great, but I started to get really excited when my band began to set up, and it looked like they wouldn't have a problem getting their set in before the weather got bad. But just as they were about to start - they were told not to begin, that the grounds were starting to be evacuated. Empires' Lolla dream was over, and it hadn't really begun. Less than half the bands who had been displaced got rescheduled that night, but they weren't among the lucky ones. I waited out the storm and went back until closing, but it just didn't feel the same, knowing how disappointed they were. Sunday was wet but that didn't stop any of us being there, and I was at another stage when Empires tweeted the news we hadn't dare hope for: they were being squeezed in at the end of the day on the BMI stage. I immediately blew off the rest of my plans, spent the day hold down my barrier spot again, and was treated to a set whose intensity had been magnified by the events of the last 2 days. Even the increasing darkness and the unlit stage couldn't dim that performance, or our enthusiasm. I think it was probably the best set I've ever seen at Lolla - and that's saying a lot. I'm so proud of them for that set, and thrilled that I was able to be there for it.

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Lollapalooza Changed My Life

by Brittany Corey on feb 14, 2013

My friend Amber introduced me to lolla and practically forced me to buy a ticket. She insisted that I go and that I would go back year after year. We both live in Florida and I thought it was crazy to go all the way to Chicago just for a music festival, but little did I know exactly what Lollapalooza was all about. Once the lineup was announced I wanted to cry. I was so happy I purchased a ticket and I was getting pumped to see Chicago for the first time. Once we got to Chi Town I could not believe my eyes. If you have never been to Chicago then you have no idea how beautiful and majestic the city truly is. All around town we saw people with wristbands and I had butterflies in my stomach. The big day came and we had already planned that we were going to stay at Perry's stage all day because we are big EDM fans. Walking into the lolla for the first time was such a life changing experience. I could not believe all the people there. SO many different types of people and people from all over the place. We ran all the way to the front and stayed in the same spot all day. I cannot explain to anyone the feeling I got when White Panda took the stage. The lights, the bass, everything took me by surprise. I was one with music and nobody could break me from it. Porter Robinson, Madeon, Nero, Zedd, all blew me away. I was in love with lolla from the moment I stepped foot at that stage. When Bassnectar took stage I was mesmerized. He absolutely killed his set and I will never forget how amazing he was. No words can describe, but if you were at lolla then you know exactly what I mean when I say Bassnectar stole all of Lollapalooza. By the end of day one, I was completely drained of all my energy. I did not know how I would get up and continue on the next day. But as I woke up I was more then ready to get back out there and experience day two. By the time we all got there we waited in line to get our bandanas and then all of sudden we were hearing lolla was going to be evacuated. I was not ok with this. I am in love with The Weeknd and he was the act that I was looking most forward to. So once the evacuation was announced I was literally almost in tears along with Amber. The chaos of the city was insane! People were running around like crazy trying to take cover from the storm that was brewing. We made it just in time back to Ambers aunts apartment and watched as the storm tore the city up. I was glued to my phone checking twitter and facebook to see when lolla would open back up. Praying, praying, praying I would not miss The Weeknd! As soon as the storm cleared Amber and I were running through the city as fast as we could. We caught a cab and made it back just in time. I did not care that my feet were covered in mud as long as I could see my baby. He came on strong and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I saw the love of my life perform at lolla for the first time ever, and to lolla I thank you dearly! Up next was Calvin Harris. This crowd was UNBELIEVABLE! Everyone was going crazy for him it was amazing. Now I know RHCP were at all the festivals this year, but it was such an honor to see them perform all of the songs I have grown up listening to. Day two was a success! So by day three I was getting pretty bummed that it was coming to an end. We stood in the heat for J. Cole to perform and it felt so good. To see the city in the background and J.Cole at the same time was an unforgettable moment. The crowd was massive, I thought I would never make it out! We quickly ran to see some of Big Gigantic's set, but then quickly back to Florence + The Machine. (Grabbed some truffle fries on the way........holy shit!). The Florence crowd was massive, and of course Florence was so majestic on stage I loved it! I'll never forget I was walking through the crowd while she was singing "What the Water Gave Me" and I saw a little red headed baby sitting on her dads shoulders and smiling and I thought to myself "Oh my gosh a little Florence Welch in the making!" We then took a little breather before going to see Childish Gambino. He was a GOD. I didn't stop jumping up and down even though I was practically a zombie. Once we were walking out of lolla I just could not believe what I had just experienced the past three days. I was so thankful Amber forced me to buy a ticket and I knew I would be back next year. Lollapalooza changed my life for the better. It made me appreciate all the little things. I am so thankful to be alive and to be able to experience amazing events such as Lollapalooza where I met so many different types of people. I can't express how much lolla means to me and I truly feel like it inspired me to do so much more with my life.

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Florence and The Machine Round 3

by Emily Bieniek on feb 07, 2013

To say I'm obsessed with Florence and the Machine is an understatement. There's something so terribly wonderful about the etherial goddess that is Florence Welch. Her lyrics capture me, the beats excite me, and her fashion sense is one that evey woman wishes she could pull off. And I waited at the same stage for six long hours in the hot Chicago sun, with only two bottles of water, to guarantee that I would be front to see Florence Welch dazzle her audience -- and to entertain us with some on-stage hijinks with Isa. I pleasantly bobbed my head and tapped my foot to the bands playing before while trying to hide my barely uncontainable excitement. After each performance the crowd only became larger, and I was completely perplexed. I had no idea so many Lollapalooza attendees shared my love for Flo as well. After the show I was told that the crowd for Florence and the Machine was the biggest that stage had ever seen for a non-Headliner. But at the time, all my mind was processing was how many more minutes until the band took the stage. I've seen Florence and the Machine on two other occaisons, but nothing compared to this experience. Her music came alive in a way it never had before, and I think that's entirely to thank Lollapalooza for. This will always be my most cherished memory, and I plan go back to Lolla every year hoping to add a new memory to my vault. Plus, I got this sweet pic to remember it forever.

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Photographers vs. My Sad Evacuation Face

by savannahdeblieck on feb 08, 2013

On Saturday(day 2) of Lollapalooza '12, I was about to have a complete mental breakdown from when I heard I had to leave because of weather. I'm a Kandi-Kid, who is a person, a part of the EDM\Rave culture, so I was in one of my costumes which was crazy and bright- rainbow leopard print everywhere. People were taking photos with my boyfriend and I because they liked how cool we looked; plus Kandi-Kids are kind of new to Lolla' before dark. But this time I didn't want to get pictures taken of me because of how sad and brokenhearted I was. People wouldn't stop! I let them anyways though because it's about the love and the socializing; I didn't want to be a jerk. An actual magazine\website photographer panned a video and shot a photo of me with the saddest face about to cry I've ever made. He almost started to cry too. I gave him some of my Kandi and then my boyfriend and I left before the riots began. We returned right when we could get back in and the rest of the day was pretty good, but all in all- If another Weather Evacuation happens this year, I really will bawl my eyes out screaming, ''Don't look at me! I don't want to share my sadness!'' Great experience. (It isn't a video in the link but the photos, I'm the one in the crazy rainbow outfit when you scroll down)

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You're a Layer

by claire.parsons.12 on feb 07, 2013

Lolla, lolla, lolla. I find myself still talking about this trip. The word gives me goosebumps everytime I think about it and the memories seem to be like I am still there. This was my first music festival I've ever been to and it was quite the journey. From Charlotte, NC to Chicago, IL, my friend Morgan and I made it. Words cannot express the love of the people at Lolla. It was the way that no matter how many people were in one spot, there was a mutual respect, a mutual appreciation for the music we were all listening too regardless of how hot, sweaty, better yet BUMMED out because of the rain, it was a bond that each person there shared with one another. The talent was insane, more than forty artists that I adore were there and my friend and I managed to see just about every one of them. It was Perry's, Red Bull, and Googleplay that brought the show for me. Each artist was so genuine and happy to be there; that in itself makes for the best experience. The days are being counted until I can go back to the beautiful atmosphere of Lollapalooza.

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2012

August 3, 2012 – August 5, 2012

LOLLAPALOOZA TURNS TWENTY-ONE

Lollapalooza's 21st birthday bash boasted a jam-packed lineup of epic proportions, bringing together genre-bending bands from across the musical spectrum. Black Sabbath, Trampled by Turtles, Sigur Ros, First Aid Kit and Jack White to name a few. Whether fans were dancing along to the beats at Perry’s stage all afternoon (and night) or bouncing between the other main stages dotting the park,  the grounds quickly filled up as a steady stream of revelers made their way to the music all weekend.

For those who couldn't make it to the Grant Park party, millions tuned in to YouTube's live webcast and dual channel coverage of Lolla 2012. Other digital additions included the rotating slideshow of fan-submitted Instagram photos on jumbotrons throughout the park. Not only were Festival staffers taking behind the scenes pics from as many places as possible, but fans themselves got in on the action by adding the hashtag #lolla to their snapshots for the chance to have their photog skills on display — online AND in person! Green Street was also humming with engaged fans hoping to make a difference and give back to their communities.

Despite Saturday's temperamental stormy weather,  a rain evacuation ran smoothly and in all, more than 60,000 festival-goers and nearly 3,000 staff, artists and vendors were safely evacuated in 38 minutes. LollaShop was another new and wild success, and the dedicated gear outpost located across from Grant Park was a welcome addition to the Lolla family!

Festival Highlights

Black Sabbath | Bud Light stage

At The Drive-In | Red Bull Soundstage

Santigold | Perry's

Jack White | Red Bull Soundstage

Avicii | Bud Light stage

The Black Keys | Red Bull Soundstage

Culturally Speaking

  • At The Drive-In reunited. 'nuff said.
  • Honey Boo-Boo introduced the world to Go-Go Juice.
  • Memes and GIFs took the Internet by storm.
  • Prince William and his bride incited mass baby-fever with the announcement of their pregnancy.
  • Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" spent an unprecedented 6 months topping the "I Can't Get This Out of My Head" charts.
  • Legendary girl-group The Spice Girls reunited for the closing ceremonies at the London Olympics.
  • 12/21/12 was indeed NOT the apocalypse, and we survived to see our twenty-second birthday.
  • Hero movies stole the box office - The Hunger Games, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Avengers.

tour stops + dates

August 3-5, 2012
Grant Park, Chicago, IL

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