🎸 A guide to Lolla

Are You Ready For Lollapalooza?

Lollapalooza returns tomorrow. That means road closures, aftershow madness, and suburban kids on the train! Here’s all you need to know.

Sheer size: Lollapalooza’s capacity increased to 115,000 per day in 2023 — with no signs of waning.

• The fest will continue at Grant Park through at least 2032.
• Two-day and four-day GA tickets are sold out, and single days for $185 are going fast.
• IMO: The crowdedness was overwhelming last year. I dipped in to see Olivia Rodrigo and was nearly trampled by fifth-graders and their moms — nowhere near the stage.

Road closures: There are many (many) street and sidewalk closures due to Lollapalooza, and some continue past the fest dates. Between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive, Jackson and Balbo remain closed through Aug. 8 and 9, respectively. Review all the closures.

This year’s lineup: Lolla’s grown from alternative roots to a mainstream, diverse behemoth.

• Thursday: Lorde, John Summit, Sombr, Worship, Blood Orange, Viagra Boys, Wet Leg
• Friday: Charli xcx, Smashing Pumpkins, Major Lazer, Suki Waterhouse, Horsegiirl, Freddie Gibbs, Lil Uzi Vert, Yungblud, Slayyyter
• Saturday: Olivia Dean, Disco Lines, DJ Trixxie Mattel, Jennie, Geese, The Neighbourhood, Ethel Cain
• Sunday: Tate McRae, The Chainsmokers, The xx, Ado, Aespa, Turnstile, Muna, Monaleo

Local acts: This year, local talent appears in a special showcase and on headlining stages.

• Pop-up: There’s a Smashing Pumpkins pop-up at 900 S. Wabash Ave. to celebrate their Lolla return after 32 years.
• Up-and-comers: There’s a Chicago Made Showcase at 12:15 p.m. at the Tito’s Stage. It features Queen Key, Lil M.U., Peter CottonTale, Sherrionn, Corr Kendricks, and Free Joel.
• Did you know? John Summit is from Naperville.

Aftershows: Nowadays, official aftershows sell out almost as fast as Lolla. But some tix are still available!

• Thursday: Mother Mother at Park West, Mike Posner ft. Brody Jenner at Tao, Goldie Boutilier at Outset
• Friday: Clipse with Mick Jenkins at the Riviera, Mustard at Tao, Boots - 2charm at Concord, Ado at Aragon Ballroom
• Saturday: Leon Bridges at Three Top Lounge, Louis the Child at Tao, Freddie Gibbs at Ramova Theatre, Alison Wonderland at Concord
• Sunday: Dombresky at Smoke & Mirrors, Eli Brown at PRYSM, Waylon Wyatt at Schuba’s
• … and more!

Avoid scams: The Better Business Bureau recommends using the festival's official resale option rather than third parties.

• Just in case: Use a credit card (as opposed to debit, cash, or transfers) in case you need to dispute a charge!

Emmi’s tips: Wear a fanny pack and shoes you don’t care about. To save money, bring Cliff bars in your pockets (and maybe shooters). Also, make a contingency plan with the friends you’ll inevitably get separated from!

• Back in my day, we reconvened at the Perry’s sign — does Lolla still have that? Can someone report back to me?

CPS Layoffs, Esteem Awards, and Chicken Wings

The Board of Education is scheduled to vote tomorrow on a Chicago Public Schools budget plan that would lay off 760 teachers and 801 teacher aides. On today’s podcast, we talk about why the district proposed this — plus the 19th annual Esteem Awards and where to celebrate National Chicken Wing Day. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

• Meanwhile: The Illinois Federation of Teachers is suing Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, saying school districts need their property tax payments. [WGN]

Latinos Soon To Be Face of CPD

Inspector General data shows that by the end of the year, white officers will no longer be the largest racial group within the Chicago Police Department. The number of Latino officers has increased by more than 40% since 2017. There are now 4,158 Latino officers. [Tribune🔒]

TPS Ends for Haitians and Syrians

Following June’s Supreme Court ruling, temporary protected status ended Monday for Haitians and Syrians in America, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. Immigrants from 17 other countries could lose TPS as well. [Sun-Times]

• In Illinois: This move could affect roughly 260 Haitian families and 500 Syrians. [WTTW]

Candidate Signature Gathering Starts … Now!

Hopeful mayoral and alder candidates can now officially start collecting petitions to get on the ballot. This is the earliest the process has started thanks to a recent state law change. [WTTW]

• An arduous process: Getting signatures is hard! [City Cast Chicago 🎧]