Lollapalooza 2025 began its four-day run in Grant Park on Thursday with a lineup that underscored both the festival’s genre diversity and its continued embrace of pop and country artists on its main stages. Day One featured the return of Tyler, the Creator, following his abrupt cancellation last year, and a milestone headlining performance from Luke Combs, the first time a country act has topped the bill in the festival’s history.

Tyler, the Creator Scales Back the Spectacle

Headlining Lollapalooza for the first time since 2021, Tyler, the Creator opted for a minimalist presentation, a sharp contrast to the elaborate set pieces that defined his previous festival appearances. The rapper and producer performed on a raised platform marked with the title of his latest album, Don’t Tap the Glass, forgoing costume changes or visual theatrics in favor of a tightly focused set.

The performance drew heavily from Don’t Tap the Glass and Chromakopia, both of which were released within the past year and debuted at No. 1. Tyler moved through new material like “Sugar on My Tongue,” “Rah Tah Tah,” and “Noid” with precision, blending them with older favorites including “Earfquake,” “Wusyaname,” and “New Magic Wand.” His stage presence remained magnetic, with dynamic movement and a level of control that kept the audience engaged without relying on spectacle.

Luke Combs Marks a First for Country at Lolla

Luke Combs made history as the first country artist to headline Lollapalooza, bringing a grounded and personal tone to the evening. Performing in a Chicago Cubs jersey, Combs organized his set chronologically, tracing his musical journey from his 2017 debut This One’s for You through 2023’s Gettin’ Old. He punctuated songs with anecdotes about his upbringing, his move to Nashville, and personal milestones, creating a sense of connection with the audience.

The highlight came with his rendition of “Fast Car,” a track he reintroduced to mainstream audiences through a performance with Tracy Chapman at the 2024 Grammy Awards. “If you didn’t love country music showing up tonight,” Combs told the crowd, “I hope you do now.” His sincerity and restrained delivery marked a shift in tone for a festival that has historically leaned more heavily on rock, rap, and electronic headliners.

Gracie Abrams Expands Her Festival Presence With a Robyn Duet

Gracie Abrams returned to Lollapalooza three years after her last appearance, this time on the festival’s main stage. Backed by a full band, she performed songs from The Secret of Us, including “Risk” and “Blowing Smoke,” and created a sense of intimacy through direct engagement with both the live audience and the festival’s livestream cameras.

Midway through her set, Abrams sat at the piano for quieter material like “Death Wish” and “I Miss You, I’m Sorry.” But the set’s most notable moment came at the close, when she brought out Robyn for a joint performance of “Dancing on My Own.” Abrams blended the song with her own “Close to You,” offering a subtle homage to a pop influence while marking a career milestone of her own.

Cage the Elephant Shifts the Mood With a Reflective Set

Cage the Elephant, longtime Lollapalooza performers, returned with a set that leaned more on restraint than chaos. While songs like “House of Glass” and “Come a Little Closer” were still present, the band made space for slower, more contemplative tracks such as “Shake Me Down” and “Cigarette Daydreams.” In one of the evening’s quieter tributes, they covered Black Sabbath’s “Changes” in honor of Ozzy Osbourne, highlighting the song’s emotional weight rather than its performer’s public persona.

Role Model Balances Charm and Subtlety

Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury) delivered a set that continued his pivot from rap to indie-pop. Performing songs such as “Some Protector” and “Look at That Woman,” he alternated between acoustic moments and more energetic numbers. A surprise guest appearance from The Dare added momentum midway through the set. Pillsbury’s performance relied on charisma rather than spectacle, offering one of the more understated yet well-received sets of the day.