Lollapalooza 2025 Ignites Grant Park Despite Hazy Skies, Local Talent Shines Bright
Published on Aug 03, 2025
Lollapalooza 2025 launched Thursday in Grant Park with perfect summer vibes and a strong spotlight on local talent. One of the day’s most celebrated moments was the Chicago Made Showcase at Tito’s Stage, where six rising Chicago artists delivered powerful performances. The showcase, presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, featured winners of a city-run competition that earned them a coveted spot on the Lolla lineup.
The Era Footwork Collective brought an explosive burst of energy to the stage, blending dance and music in a way that’s uniquely their own. More than just a dance crew, The Era considers themselves dance artists—performers who create, rap, and innovate through movement.
“We’re back, performing our own music and footworking,” said Jamal “LiteBulb” Oliver, marking their return to Lollapalooza after previously hitting the stage alongside Save Money’s Towkio. Since that appearance, the group has released multiple projects, including 2025’s Locked In EP and Let the Record Reflect.
“Pushing our music alongside our dance culture is important,” added Jemal “P-Top” De La Cruz. “We’re not just dancers. We’re not just rappers. We’re dance artists.”
The showcase also featured rising R&B singers Clairice and Feather, each delivering soulful performances that highlighted Chicago’s deep musical bench. BJ the Chicago Kid, known for his collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, and Schoolboy Q, brought smooth vocals and major-stage presence to the set.
Rapper Mike Lawry Baby amped up the crowd with his lyrical swagger, and Chicago’s own DJ Ca$h Era lit up the stage with a genre-blending DJ set.
Later in the afternoon, R&B singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr wowed fans with his versatile vocals and magnetic stage presence, performing both solo material and standout tracks like his Kaytranada collaboration “Freefall.”
From genre-defying dance artists to soul-stirring vocalists, the opening day of Lollapalooza 2025 was a powerful reminder that Chicago’s creative scene continues to thrive—and deserves the global stage.
