“It’s Chappell’s world and we’re just living in it,” tweeted out by the official Lollapalooza X account. After experiencing a crowd like this, this feels like the understatement of the century. The entirety of Grant Park was overflowing with pink cowboy hats, glittered eyelids, and campy western fringe as the self proclaimed ‘Midwest Princess’ drew one of the biggest crowds the festival has ever seen.

A short four years ago, Roan was working in a midwest drive-thru. Today, there wasn’t a person in the crowd that didn’t sing along to every lyric she sung (even her unreleased track, “Subway.”) Fully decked out in latex wrestling suit, adorned with leather fringe on her hips and silver glitter eyeshadow on her eyes and a a Lucha Libre mask to top it off, Chappell Roan gazed into the Lollapalooza camera monitor and says, “I dedicate this song to my ex. Who was bragging that they dated me at the bar in my hometown. This is a message for your fiancé - you should break up.”

Roan was a total knockout. A few short months ago, she hadn’t yet reached the Billboard charts, and today, the entire park danced along with her choreography to the iconic “Hot To Go!” Dance. The stage was filled with not only her three piece band, Drummer Lucy Ritter, bassist Allee Futterer and guitarist Devon Eisenbarger, but also weightlifters from Rockwell Barbell in Lakeview, Chicago that provided the perfect atmosphere to Roan’s world she has created.

Even with the overwhelming heat as an obstacle, audience members spoke about leaving their houses at 3am to get a spot in line for Chappell with a smile on their faces. Following her many accomplishments just this year, including opening on Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts tour, and going from having 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify to exceeding almost 30 million in the course of a few short months, it’s no wonder the festival moved her set the main stage just weeks before the festival began. As fans climbed trees and argued with security guards just to get a good view of her performance, she most certainly did not disappoint.

Her versatile vocal power makes her a once in a lifetime performer. Her ability to belt while performing high kicks across the stage is unmatched. Singing a ballad while dropping into the splits (in the midst of 90 degree heat) confirms that her 5pm performance was worthy of being considered ‘headliner-status.’ “Lollapalooza, this has been so magical,” screams Roan, paired with fireworks surrounding her. The audience most certainly agrees.

Review & Photos by: Jenna Houchin

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Chappell Roan Draws a MASSIVE Crowd at Lollapalooza 2024