Lollapalooza 2025 Sparks Debate Over Prices, Lineup, and Park Access
CHICAGO – Lollapalooza 2025 officially returns to Grant Park this weekend, but not everyone is thrilled. While major headliners like Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler, the Creator, and K-pop superstars Twice are drawing crowds, backlash is growing over the festival’s steep ticket prices, underwhelming lineup, and growing privatization of public spaces.
A Pricey Affair — Even by Lolla Standards
Many fans are still recovering from the sticker shock of Olivia Rodrigo’s 2024 tour, where Chicago concertgoers shelled out more than $2,000 for decent seats — a trend that’s continued into Lollapalooza.
Tickets for the 2025 festival sold out rapidly, with four-day passes gone within an hour of the lineup announcement. One-day platinum passes? A staggering $2,130, with only resale options and waitlists left for most entry levels.
According to Forbes, fans have grown accustomed to price surges—thanks largely to the Ticketmaster–Live Nation merger, which now handles the bulk of the festival’s logistics and sales.
Is the Lineup Worth It? Fans Are Divided
Critics say this year’s lineup leans heavily on safe, commercial picks with fewer fresh names. Chicago Reader’s Leor Galil described it as “a wasteland of frat rappers, yacht rock, and Spotify wallpaper pop.”
Still, there are notable local highlights including:
- Ravyn Lenae (R&B star)
- Ratboys (alt-country)
- Jane Remover (experimental pop)
- Korn (nu-metal legends)
For some, paying over $400 for a four-day general admission pass feels worthwhile just to see the top acts. For others, it’s a steep cost to hear what one critic likened to “the personality of an O’Hare phone-charging station.”
Public Parks, Private Profits?
Beyond music, Lollapalooza continues to spark controversy over its impact on Grant Park access. Every summer, much of the public space becomes ticketed and restricted, locking out Chicagoans who otherwise enjoy the area freely.
This year, as debates around teen access and public space rage on, the question remains: why is a corporate festival allowed to wall off a public park for profit?
What to Know for Each Day
Thursday, July 31:
- Headliners: Tyler, the Creator, Luke Combs
- Notables: Cage the Elephant, Ratboys, DJ Heather
- Location: Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph
- Status: Limited resale
Friday, August 1:
- Headliners: Olivia Rodrigo, Korn
- Also performing: Ravyn Lenae, T-Pain, Djo, Jane Remover
Saturday, August 2:
- Headliners: Rüfüs Du Sol, Twice
- Others: Clairo, JPEGMAFIA, Flux Pavilion
Sunday, August 3:
- Headliners: Sabrina Carpenter, A$AP Rocky
- Others: The Marías, Remi Wolf, Rebecca Black
For full schedules, visit the Lollapalooza 2025 lineup page.
Will you be braving the crowd for Lollapalooza 2025? Or are the prices and park closures too much? Let us know your thoughts on ChicagoMusicGuide.com.