Chicago’s Lolla is a GO! Let’s dive in to my top 5 artists I would love to see on live stage at Grant Park

News broke just last week that Lollapalooza Chicago is green-lit for the upcoming summer festival season. Lolla has been Chicago’s largest and most-known music festival since it’s inception in 1991. From the debauchery of Perry’s to the shade-filled bliss of the Pepsi Stage, theres a venue (and artist) to fit your mood.

Read on below for 5 acts I’ll be seeing AND who I was bummed to see not on the lineup announcement.

Slowthai

26-year-old Northampton rapper Tyron Frampton (known by Slowthai) is ready to tame (or hopefully not tame) his first individual stage performance at Lolla. Since 2016, Slowthai has been on a steady climb putting out numerous projects and singles, culminating with his highly-commended 2021 album TYRON. Hearing this album live has me excited for 2 reasons: 1). Theres a good mix of both UK grime (A-Side) and lighter alternative-style hip hop (B-Side) that would make for a great set 2). Notable features include A$AP Rocky, Skepta, Dominic Fike, Deb Never, James Blake, Mount Kimbie, and Denzel Curry… how cool would it be….

Setlist Wish-List:
“T N Biscuits”
“45 Smoke”
“WOT”
“terms”
“push”

KAYTRANADA

Picture this: the sun is setting, you just re-upped on your $30 wine carafe, and your ready bop your head to “Be Your Girl”…. sounds pretty nice to me. The recent-Grammy-winner has been at the absolute top of my list of artists to see, but it’s never worked out. Now, I’m ready to see him put on a show. Kay hasn’t put out an album since 2019, but his steady string of singles and edits are doing a phenomenal job of filling that void. He’s my sleeper for “favorite set” this year. More to come on that!

Setlist Wishlist:
“The Worst In Me”
“CHANCES”
“GLOWED UP”
“Hilarity Duff”

Njomza

Under-the-radar pop star Njomza is ready for her first ever Lolla showing and so are her loyal fans. You may remember the Deviate piece on her 2020 single “Lucky,” which I would love to set live (the acoustic version would be even better). She doesn’t have a laundry list of singles, but to that I say quality over quantity; every song I’ve heard of hers/her featured on is fantastic. A very underground must-see this year!

Setlist Wish-List:
“Lucky”
“Upset”
“baggage”
“No One Is Spared”

Dombresky

If you want to get your groove-house fix, look no further. Dom’s your guy. Probably one of the few artists I will venture into Perry’s for, but it will be worth it. The French artistè has been producing house anthems for over a decade and headlining festival stages across the globe. That being said, I don’t think he has a Lolla set in his back pocket yet. I love Dombresky’s live sets because they are a good middle point between hard electro-house and la la land trop-styled songs. The groove is real and I can’t wait to hear it.

Setlist Wish-List:
“Utopia”
“Simple Hit”
“Growing Pains”

Dominic Fike

You may have recently read my write up on Dominic Fike’s “Politics & Violence” track off his What Could Possibly Go Wrong project where I am cited as saying he’s in my top 3 artists to see in 2021. Well, here’s our chance. Fike’s wavy vocals and high energy will make for a perfect live show. Ideally, Fike’s demeanor and playing style would fit a smaller, more intimate stage like Groove or Lake Shore, but with his recent blow up I bet we catch him on Bud Light or even an early afternoon Samsung. However, beggars certainly cannot be choosers. I’ve heard through the grapevine that he loves acoustic renditions as well.

Setlist Wish-List:
“Politics & Violence”
“Acai Bowl”
“Chicken Tenders”
“Wurli”