DOWNTOWN — The perfect Lollapalooza weather defied all odds and continued into Saturday for the third day of showstopping performances.
Chicago’s own Chance the Rapper played a “surprise” 15-minute set on the Perry’s stage Saturday afternoon. Despite getting on stage a few minutes late, he started off strong with “No Problem” from his 2016 album “Coloring Book.”
He went on to perform songs like “All Night,” “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” “The Highs & The Lows” — and new music from his upcoming album “Star Line.”
“Star Line” comes out Aug. 15 and will be Chance’s first album in six years, he told the crowd.
Grammy-winning rapper Doechii was also among the highlights of the day, drawing in a massive crowd during her evening set on the T-Mobile stage. Doechii and her dancers commanded the audience through a school of hip-hop, portraying classmates during the masterclass performance.
Doechii performed singles like “Anxiety” and “Nosebleeds” and fan favorites from her mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” which won Best Rap Album at the Grammy’s earlier this year.
The crowd went wild as she rapped “Boiled Peanuts,” “Nissan Altima” and “Denial is a River.”
After hinting at a special guest, the Tampa native also brought out City Girls’ JT for “Alter Ego” — and dropped the news that she’ll be headlining her first tour.
Doechii’s website has a countdown clock to 9 a.m. Monday, when more details are expected to drop.
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
Across Grant Park on the Tito’s stage, more than 100 young local musicians made history. The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra became the first teen ensemble to perform on Lolla’s main stage, playing classical ballads, “Star Wars” songs, pop medleys of “Poker Face” and “Hot to Go!” and more.
The crowd they performed to was a unique mix of family members, orchestra alumni, basketball jersey-wearing teenagers and more.
The experience was both foreign and familiar to anyone who had gone to an orchestral performance. There was both quiet from the crowd as the orchestra performed, but also loud hoots and cheering from the younger crowd as they shouted out their friends in the band.
It was an emotional, hour-long performance led by Music Director and conductor Allen Tinkham, as loved ones both cheered and cried from the crowd.
Ashish and Ujjaini Shah were emotional as they watched as they watched their 17-year-old son Arjun play the violin on stage.
“It was amazing, I was literally in tears almost,” Ujjaini said. “Knowing how much hard work he’s put in over 12 years [of playing violin], all the rehearsals.”
They said they’re grateful for the orchestra for giving the kids not just an opportunity to showcase their talent on stage at Lollapalooza, but also to play music and meet kids from all over Chicago.
“Chicago is home to a huge number of very, very talented kids that are musicians in every different way,” Ujjaini said. “These kids in CYSO are keeping different forms of classical music and jazz alive and well with our youth, so it’s amazing to bring that to wider audiences around Chicago.”
Dhaval Patel, whose son Neel plays violin in the orchestra, said he’s really proud of the ensemble. He hopes this performance inspires young musicians to aim high.
“They all start somewhere,” Patel said. “Keep going, keep the passion and keep playing.”
TWICE Makes History
TWICE ended the night strong, making history as the first K-pop girl group to headline the festival.
The nine-piece group dazzled on stage with flared, bejeweled denim pants, matching boots and white cropped tanks as fireworks and drone lights lit up the sky above them.
They opened their set with “The Feels” and played hits like “This Is For” — the title track from their latest album — “Takedown,” “More & More,” “What is Love?” and “Queen of Hearts” — an ultimate ode to the group’s girl power as they played over 20 songs across their 90-minute slot.
Australian alternative dance trio Rüfüs Du Sol were also headliners last night. Though electronic artists are usually delegated to Lolla’s Perry’s stage, they claimed the T-Mobile main stage.
“Feels good to be representing electronic music and Australian music tonight,” said keyboardist Jon George, alongside bandmates Tyrone Lindqvist and James Hunt.
Their setlist included some of the group’s biggest hits like “Innerbloom,” “You Were Right” and “On My Knees.”
Earlier in the afternoon, English actress Naomi Scott made a debut performance in the United States by performing at Lollapalooza.
The star from films such as “Lemonade Mouth,” “Aladdin” and “Smile 2” drew a much larger-than-usual crowd to The Grove stage, including superfan Christina Signorile. She drove from New Jersey to just see Scott perform.
“I’ve been a fan since ‘Lemonade Mouth.’ I have got all of her records, recordings, the whole nine yards,” Signorile said. “I’ve seen all of her films. She is probably my top three artists/actresses of all time.”
After Scott’s performance, she greeted a few fans — including Signorile. “That was incredible,” the fan said.
And from there, it’s on the road back to New Jersey for Signorile, but with an unforgettable fan experience and some artist merch.
Lollapalooza concludes Sunday night in Grant Park.
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