Lollapalooza Chicago Celebrates 25 Years With Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and LCD Soundsystem

Jordan Bailey

As Lollapalooza celebrates its 25th anniversary, the legendary festivals’ home city of Chicago will take 2016’s event to a new level. With a lineup including headliners Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and LCD Soundsystem alongside Lana Del Rey, J. Cole, Ellie Goulding, Major Lazer, Disclosure and Jane’s Addiction, Lollapalooza’s aim is clear: to top its previous years.

As the folks at Lolla say, “music is in our DNA” and that is made clear by the sheer size of the event. With eight stages and over 170 bands, Lolla ’16 will guarantee the avid festival-goer will see some big names, local garage bands and may even help launch the careers of previously undiscovered gems. As with previous years, Lolla Chicago will showcase an art market where one can peruse and purchase the work of local Midwestern artists. What’s become the obligatory Kidzapalooza will once again be present this year allowing those reluctant festival children a chance to dance to music a little more their speed. Another feature returning this year will be the plethora of environmental and social organizations ready to spread the word and educate an eager music-loving public on the art of conscious living.

For those looking to jump head first into one of the country’s great music festivals, Entertainment Voice has compiled the ins and outs of Lollapalooza Chicago.

Eat
With no shortage of incredible places to consume late night grub, fine dining and everything in between, Chicago has quickly become a great place to dine. The Purple Pig, for instance, was named one of the city’s best new restaurants. This, along with a James Beard award-winning chef who’s been dubbed “the Prince of Pork,” The Purple Pig showcases the flavors of Mediterranean Europe with plenty of pig-related options. For a more refined option, try The Gage near Chicago’s famed Millennium Park. Taking its name from the historic Gage Group of buildings on Chicago’s Michigan Ave, The Gage delves deep into rustic Americana with an innovative flair. The Girl & The Goat take their influence from all corners of the globe, though when it comes to beer, they believe Chicagoans know best. Constantly rotating taps of local craft beer line the bar in a place that welcomes all adventurers, walk-ins and as they say, “those who don’t like to plan.”

Drink
Speaking of Chicagoans and their penchant for drinking, The Green Door Tavern is the city’s oldest prohibition-era bar. The green door was initially there to indicate a “speakeasy” and to this day represents the good times to be had behind it. Located in the basement of Green Door behind a secret entrance, you’ll find The Drifter with world class cocktails amidst burlesque dancers and circus décor. For a vastly different vibe, check out Three Dots and a Dash. This tiki-themed bar is the perfect mid-summer haunt serving up those contradictory, albeit delicious, ice cold-flaming tropical umbrella drinks.

Stay
For those adventurous festival attendees, Chicago has one particular hotel that’s well worth your hard-earned dollars. The Acme Hotel, located just a couple blocks from the Magnificent Mile, offers an alternative boutique experience with art and tech as its main themes (they even offer Google Glass for guests to use). The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago, however, features contemporary luxe living within a historic building on Michigan Ave. A favorite amongst visiting celebrities, presidents and athletes, the Blackstone offers unrivaled views of Chicago’s lakefront and nearby Grant Park where Lolla takes place. The once private Chicago Athletic Hotel is now open to the public and offers a genuinely historic look into the past of this great city. Featuring five spots to eat and drink, free bicycles and, of course, a 24-hour gym, CAH prides themselves on their contemporary and elegant aesthetics.

Lollapalooza Chicago will take place from July 28-31 at Grant Park. Ticket information can be found here.