Lollapalooza 2025: The Ultimate K-Pop Headliner Revealed!
The Hidden K-pop Headliner
Behind Lollapalooza Chicago 2025
Lollapalooza Chicago 2025 delivered an unforgettable experience for K-pop fans, with bigger crowds, more energy, and more unforgettable moments than ever before. TWICE, BOYNEXTDOOR, KATSEYE, Xdinary Heroes, KICKFLIP, and wave to earth all took the stage at Grant Park, turning the festival into a global K-pop celebration. Fans from around the world gathered, chanting in unison and showing their passion louder than ever.
The story of K-pop’s rise at Lolla begins with J-Hope. In 2022, Lollapalooza needed a last-minute headliner, and J-Hope stepped in. Houston Powell, Chief Promoter, recalled, “We didn’t know how big it would be. We underestimated what that performance meant… but it became a cultural moment.” That night, J-Hope drew 100,000 attendees on-site, 19 million live stream viewers, and sold out $1 million in merchandise within hours. It was more than a performance. It was a turning point for K-pop on a global stage.
TWICE made History.
TWICE made history as the first K-pop girl group to headline Lollapalooza Chicago, performing 21 songs nonstop in 90 minutes. One standout moment was the debut of “Take Down” by Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung from the Netflix film K-pop Demon Hunters, while drones spelled out “THE HONMOON IS SEALED” across the sky.
Unstoppable Energy, BOYNEXTDOOR.
BOYNEXTDOOR followed with 11 tracks of high-energy performances, even giving an unplanned encore of “I Feel Good” in response to overwhelming fan demand.
KATSEYE? Gnarly!
KATSEYE energized 85,000 fans with hits like “Gameboy,” “Debut,” “Gnarly,” and “Gabriela,” earning recognition as the center of the 2025 lineup.
Xdinary Heroes combined rock-infused band vibes with K-pop precision, delivering a powerful live experience. KickFlip brought a fresh twist by mixing their original songs with a TWICE medley, while wave to earth sold out their side show before Lolla even began and created a dreamy main set that transformed Grant Park into a rooftop in Seoul.
Before Them?
TXT, NewJeans, Stray Kids, IVE, The Rose, and SEVENTEEN all helped pave the way for this moment. Today, K-pop at Lollapalooza isn’t a surprise. It’s the new normal :)
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