History of Lollapalooza in Timeline
Lollapalooza, often referred to as Lolla, is a renowned four-day music festival held annually in Chicago's Grant Park. Established in 1991 as a touring event, it found a permanent home in Chicago. Featuring an eclectic mix of genres including alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock, hip hop, and electronic dance music, it also incorporates visual arts, nonprofit organizations, and political activism. Attracting an estimated 400,000 attendees each July, Lollapalooza consistently sells out, solidifying its position as a leading music festival in the world and a long-standing tradition in the United States.
1990: Lollapalooza is Conceived
Perry Farrell, Ted Gardner, Don Muller, and Marc Geiger conceive the idea of Lollapalooza in 1990, inspired by Britain's Reading Festival.
July 18, 1991: First Lollapalooza Show
The first Lollapalooza show was held in Phoenix, Arizona on July 18, 1991 and was covered by MTV.
August 1991: Lollapalooza First Tour
The first Lollapalooza toured the US and Canada from mid-July to late August 1991, featuring a diverse lineup of artists including Siouxsie and the Banshees, Nine Inch Nails, and Ice-T.
August 28, 1991: Last Lollapalooza Show
The first Lollapalooza tour ended in Enumclaw, Washington on August 28, 1991.
1991: Lollapalooza Changes its Format
After the massive success of the first Lollapalooza, the festival was organized differently and started including more mainstream artists in 1992.
1991: Lollapalooza Launch
Lollapalooza started in 1991 as a farewell tour by Perry Farrell, singer of Jane's Addiction. The tour was a commercial success and went to over 20 cities.
1991: Lollapalooza Launch
Lollapalooza started in 1991 as a touring music festival across the US and Canada.
1991: Lollapalooza a Massive Success
The first Lollapalooza was a massive success. Dave Grohl said the festival helped change mindsets in the industry, and Ice-T predicted people would talk about it for years to come. Perry Farrell coined the term "Alternative Nation" when describing the festival that year.
August 29, 1992: Lollapalooza at Alpine Valley
On August 29, 1992, Lollapalooza took place at the Alpine Valley festival in East Troy, Wisconsin.
1993: Grunge and Alternative Acts
In 1992 and 1993, the festival leaned heavily on grunge and alternative acts.
1993: Steve Albini's criticism of Lollapalooza
In a 1993 interview, recording engineer Steve Albini criticized Lollapalooza for corporatizing popularized 'alternative' music.
April 7, 1994: Nirvana Drops Out of Lollapalooza
On April 7, 1994, Nirvana officially dropped out of headlining the festival. Kurt Cobain was found dead the next day.
1995: Return to Great Woods
In 1995, Lollapalooza returned to Great Woods in Mansfield, Massachusetts after being banned in 1992 for attendees destroying the venue.
1996: Second and Third Stages Added
By 1996, Lollapalooza had expanded to include a third stage for up and coming bands and local acts.
1996: Country Music at Lollapalooza
In 1996, Lollapalooza took a turn towards eclecticism by including country music superstar Waylon Jennings in the lineup.
1996: Perry Farrell Leaves Lollapalooza
Perry Farrell left the festival in 1996 after Metallica was included in the lineup. He felt their macho image violated his peaceful vision for the festival.
1997: Electronica at Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza emphasized electronica music in 1997, featuring groups such as The Orb and The Prodigy. This was also the final year for the initial series of Lollapalooza.
1997: End of an Era
Lollapalooza ran annually until 1997.
1998: Cancellation of Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza was cancelled in 1998 due to organizers being unable to find a suitable headliner. The cancellation was seen as a sign of alternative rock's decline in popularity.
1999: Perry Farrell's Performance at PurimPalooza
Perry Farrell performed at PurimPalooza, a celebration of the Jewish holiday Purim, in 1999 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
2003: Lollapalooza Revived
In 2003, Lollapalooza was revived and toured North America.
2003: Revival of Lollapalooza
Perry Farrell reformed Jane's Addiction and scheduled a Lollapalooza revival tour across thirty cities in 2003. The tour had limited success, possibly due to high ticket prices.
2004: Cancellation of Two-Day Festival Format
Planned as a two-day festival in multiple cities, the 2004 Lollapalooza was cancelled in June because of poor ticket sales. The lineup was set to include Morrissey, Sonic Youth, PJ Harvey, Pixies, and the Flaming Lips.
2004: Tour Cancellation
In 2004, organizers tried to expand the festival to two days but cancelled due to poor ticket sales.
2005: Lollapalooza Chicago
In 2005, Lollapalooza partnered with C3 Presents and became the annual festival in Chicago we know today.
2005: Lollapalooza's Transformation into a Destination Festival
In 2005, Lollapalooza was brought back as a two-day destination festival in Chicago's Grant Park. Despite a heat wave, the event was considered a success.
2005: Debut of Kidzapalooza
Kidzapalooza, a child-friendly counterpart to Lollapalooza, debuted in Chicago in 2005.
October 25, 2006: Five-Year Agreement for Lollapalooza in Chicago
The Chicago Park District and Capital Sports & Entertainment signed a five-year agreement to keep Lollapalooza at Grant Park in Chicago until 2011.
2006: Perry Farrell's Performance at PurimPalooza
Perry Farrell performed at PurimPalooza again in 2006 at the Ruby Skye in San Francisco. This event also featured artists like Matisyahu and Chutzpah.
2007: Lollapalooza in Chicago
Lollapalooza took place in Chicago from August 3-5 in 2007.
2008: Lollapalooza's Success Leads to Extended Stay in Chicago
Due to the success of the 2008 festival, another deal was signed to keep Lollapalooza in Chicago through 2018.
2008: Kidzapalooza at the Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl hosted its own Kidzapalooza event in 2008, showcasing its popularity beyond the main Lollapalooza festival.
2009: Lollapalooza in Chicago
Lollapalooza took place in Chicago from August 7-9 in 2009.
April 2010: Antitrust investigation into Lollapalooza
In April 2010, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan launched an antitrust investigation into Lollapalooza for its restrictive radius clauses preventing artists from performing in nearby cities. The investigation closed in 2012 with no action taken.
2010: Lollapalooza in Chicago
Lollapalooza took place in Chicago from August 6-8 in 2010.
2010: Announcement of Lollapalooza's debut in South America
In 2010, it was announced that Lollapalooza would debut in South America with a festival in Santiago, Chile, scheduled for April 2–3, 2011.
2010: Lollapalooza Goes International
In 2010, Lollapalooza announced it would remain in Chicago and expand internationally.
2011: Inaugural Lollapalooza Brazil announced
In 2011, it was confirmed that a Brazilian version of Lollapalooza would take place in São Paulo at the Jockey Club on April 7–8, 2012.
2011: Lollapalooza Continues in Chicago
Lollapalooza continued its run in Chicago with the festival being held on August 5-7 in 2011.
2011: Lollapalooza Chile
Lollapalooza debuted outside the United States in 2011 in Santiago, Chile.
2011: First Lollapalooza Chile held
The first Lollapalooza Chile festival was held on April 2–3, 2011, in Santiago, featuring acts like Jane's Addiction, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and The Killers.
August 7, 2012: Lollapalooza Tel Aviv announced
On August 7, 2012, Perry Farrell announced that Lollapalooza would debut in Tel Aviv, Israel, scheduled for August 20–22, 2013. However, the event was postponed indefinitely.
2012: Lollapalooza Brazil
In 2012, Lollapalooza Brazil was held at the Jockey Club in São Paulo.
2012: Lollapalooza in Chicago
Lollapalooza took place in Chicago from August 3-5 in 2012.
2012: Antitrust investigation closed
The antitrust investigation into Lollapalooza's radius clauses, initiated in April 2010, was closed in 2012 without any action taken.
2012: First Lollapalooza Brazil held
The inaugural Lollapalooza Brazil was held on April 7–8, 2012, at the Jockey Club in São Paulo.
September 10, 2013: Lollapalooza Argentina announced
On September 10, 2013, it was announced that Lollapalooza would have an Argentine edition held annually in Buenos Aires at the Hipódromo de San Isidro, usually in the last week of March.
2013: Second edition of Lollapalooza Brazil
The second edition of Lollapalooza Brazil was held at Jockey Club, São Paulo, from March 29–31, 2013, expanding to three days.
2013: Lollapalooza Tel Aviv postponed
The planned Lollapalooza Tel Aviv, scheduled for August 20–22, 2013, was indefinitely postponed due to financial and political challenges.
2013: Lollapalooza in Chicago
Lollapalooza took place in Chicago from August 2-4 in 2013.
April 2014: Lollapalooza Argentina
In April 2014, Lollapalooza started in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
November 4, 2014: First European Lollapalooza announced
On November 4, 2014, it was announced that the first European Lollapalooza would be held in Berlin, Germany, on September 12–13, 2015, at Berlin-Tempelhof. Perry Farrell emphasized Berlin's vibrant cultural scene as a perfect fit for the festival.
November 2014: Lollapalooza Berlin
The first European Lollapalooza was held in November 2014 at the former Berlin Tempelhof Airport.
2014: Live Nation Acquires C3 Presents
In 2014, Live Nation Entertainment bought a controlling interest in C3 Presents.
2014: Lollapalooza in Chicago
Lollapalooza took place in Chicago from August 1-3 in 2014.
2014: Lollapalooza Brazil moves to Autódromo José Carlos Pace
The third edition of Lollapalooza Brazil took place on April 5–6, 2014, at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo's Interlagos borough.
2015: Lollapalooza Ticket Prices
In 2015, weekend passes for Lollapalooza were priced at $275.
2015: Lollapalooza Brazil 2015
The 2015 edition of Lollapalooza Brazil was held on March 28–29 at Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo.
2015: Inaugural Lollapalooza Berlin
The first Lollapalooza Berlin was held on September 12–13, 2015, at the historical airport grounds of Berlin-Tempelhof.
October 12, 2016: Lollapalooza Paris announced
On October 12, 2016, it was announced that Lollapalooza would host a festival in Paris, France, with the inaugural edition scheduled for July 22–23, 2017, at the Longchamp Racecourse.
2016: Increase in Lollapalooza Ticket Prices
Weekend passes for Lollapalooza 2016 cost $335, representing an increase of over 20% from the 2015 price of $275.
2016: 25th Anniversary of Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza extended to a four-day event in 2016 to celebrate its 25th anniversary, running from July 28 to 31.
2016: Rapid Ticket Sales for Lollapalooza
Tickets for Lollapalooza 2016 sold out incredibly fast, with four-day passes selling out in a day and one-day passes in under three hours.
2016: Lollapalooza Brazil 2016
The 2016 edition of Lollapalooza Brazil was held on March 12–13 at Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo.
2016: Lollapalooza Berlin 2016
The 2016 edition of Lollapalooza Berlin took place in Treptower Park on September 10–11, drawing 70,000 visitors each day.
January 17, 2017: Lollapalooza Paris lineup revealed
The lineup for the inaugural Lollapalooza Paris was announced on January 17, 2017, featuring headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Weeknd, among others.
2017: Lollapalooza Brazil 2017
Lollapalooza Brazil 2017 took place on March 25–26 at Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo.
2017: 26th Year of Lollapalooza
The 2017 Lollapalooza festival commenced on August 3, marking its 26th anniversary.
2018: Stable Lollapalooza Ticket Prices
The price of weekend passes for Lollapalooza stayed consistent at $335 from 2016 to 2018.
2018: Eighth edition of Lollapalooza Chile
The eighth edition of Lollapalooza Chile took place from March 16–18, 2018, with headliners including Pearl Jam, Lana Del Rey, and The Killers.
2018: Lollapalooza Berlin moves to Olympiapark
Since 2018, Lollapalooza Berlin has been held at the Olympiapark Berlin.
2018: Lollapalooza's 180-Band Lineup
On August 2, 2018, Lollapalooza began with a lineup featuring 180 bands.
2018: Lollapalooza's Continued Presence in Chicago
Lollapalooza continued to be held in Chicago, with the city guaranteed $13 million as part of the agreement to keep the festival there through 2018.
2018: Lollapalooza Brazil 2018
Lollapalooza Brazil 2018 was held on March 23–25 at Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo.
2018: Slower Ticket Sales and Lineup Release
Lollapalooza 2018 experienced slower than usual ticket sales, leading organizers to reveal the lineup earlier than usual.
March 20, 2019: Announcement of the Next Lollapalooza Festival
The next Lollapalooza festival was officially announced on March 20, 2019.
2019: Lollapalooza Brazil 2019
Lollapalooza Brazil 2019 took place on April 5–7 at Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo.
2019: First Lollapalooza Stockholm
The first Scandinavian edition of Lollapalooza was held in Stockholm, Sweden, on June 28–30, 2019.
July 27, 2020: Lolla2020: Virtual Festival Announcement
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 festival in Chicago was renamed Lolla2020 and became a virtual event streamed for free on YouTube from July 30 to August 2, 2020.
August 2, 2020: Lolla2020's Conclusion
The Lolla2020 virtual festival concluded on August 2, 2020. It included a reunion performance by Porno for Pyros, their first in 24 years, as well as new and past performances, conversations hosted by Perry Farrell with notable figures in music, and a special tribute to David Bowie.
2020: Slight Increase in Lollapalooza Ticket Prices
In 2020, the price of weekend passes for Lollapalooza saw a small increase of $5, bringing the cost to $340.
2020: Cancellation of Lollapalooza and Transition to Livestream
The 2020 Lollapalooza was cancelled on June 9 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the cancellation, the city of Chicago organized a livestreamed event featuring artists like A$AP Rocky, Brockhampton, Lupe Fiasco, and Outkast, which was broadcast for free on YouTube.
2020: Lollapalooza Brazil 2020 canceled due to COVID-19
The 2020 edition of Lollapalooza Brazil, scheduled for April 3–5, was canceled a week before the event due to COVID-19 lockdowns. It was rescheduled twice but ultimately did not occur that year.
2020: Cancellation of Kidzapalooza
The Kidzapalooza event was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Spin Magazine Ranking
In 2020, Spin Magazine rated the first Lollapalooza concert the best concert of the last 35 years.
2020: Spin Magazine Ranking
Spin Magazine rated the first Lollapalooza as the greatest US tour of the last 35 years in 2020, saying it "changed the trajectory of the '90s" and "ushered in the alternative era into the mainstream."
May 18, 2021: Announcement of Lollapalooza's Return at Full Capacity
Organizers and the City of Chicago announced the return of Lollapalooza at full capacity on May 18, 2021.
August 2, 2021: Lollapalooza's Return at Full Capacity
Lollapalooza returned at full capacity from July 29 to August 2, 2021.
2021: Lollapalooza Brazil rescheduled to 2021
Due to continued COVID-19 restrictions, Lollapalooza Brazil was rescheduled again to September 10–12, 2021, without confirming headliners or other attractions.
March 2022: Lollapalooza Brazil returns after COVID-19 delays
Lollapalooza Brazil finally returned on March 25–27, 2022, following multiple postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Headliners included The Strokes and Miley Cyrus, but Foo Fighters were replaced by Brazilian artists after the death of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins, on March 25, 2022.
May 2022: Hulu to Stream Lollapalooza
In May 2022, it was announced that Hulu will exclusively stream Lollapalooza, along with Austin City Limits and Bonnaroo.
July 27, 2022: Lollapalooza announces first event in Asia
On July 27, 2022, Lollapalooza announced their debut in Mumbai, India, at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse scheduled for January 28–29, 2023. The event would be Lollapalooza's first in Asia, featuring headliners Imagine Dragons, The Strokes, and Diplo.
October 2022: 2023 Lollapalooza Chile lineup announced
In October 2022, the lineup for the following year's Lollapalooza Chile was announced. The event is set to include headliners Blink-182, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Drake, Rosalía, and Tame Impala.
2022: Lollapalooza returns to Stockholm after pandemic
Lollapalooza returned to Stockholm on July 1–3, 2022, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event attracted over 70,000 attendees, marking it as the largest Swedish festival ever.
2023: Lollapalooza Brazil 2023 headliner changes
The 2023 Brazilian edition of Lollapalooza took place from March 24 to 26. Headliners included Billie Eilish, Blink-182, and Drake. Blink-182 was replaced by Twenty One Pilots due to Travis Barker's hand injury, and Drake was replaced by Skrillex after canceling hours before his performance.
2023: First Lollapalooza Mumbai held
The first Lollapalooza in Asia took place in Mumbai, India, on January 28–29, 2023. Headliners included Imagine Dragons, The Strokes, and Diplo, among nearly forty other artists.
2024: 2024 Lollapalooza Brazil lineup announcement
The 2024 edition of Lollapalooza Brazil is scheduled for March 22–24, with headliners including Blink-182, SZA, Kings of Leon, Sam Smith, Arcade Fire, Limp Bizkit, and Titãs. Paramore was replaced by Kings of Leon after canceling two months before the festival.