Lollapalooza draws thousands of music lovers to Chicago

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Hundreds of thousands of music lovers from all over the United States gathered in downtown Chicago to celebrate the Lollapalooza international music festival at the weekend, which showcased rap, electronic and hip-hop artists like Wiz Khalifa, Lorde, and Chicago native, Chance the Rapper.

The event is one of the most famous music festivals in the US and was extended to four days to allow more space for rising talents to feature their music alongside major headlining artists.

Music lovers gather in downtown Chicago to celebrate the international music festival Lollapalooza. /Photo via Soaring Badger Productions

However, this year's festival was interrupted by heavy downpours which caused a brief evacuation of the site, leaving tens of thousands stranded in downtown Chicago.

"During the rain, we started by hiding under trees, but then they evacuated us and everyone had to find shelter wherever they could, so we ran to some nearby buildings," said one music fan.

Lollapalooza attendees gather for a performance at the Bud Light stage. /Xinhua Photo‍

Another festival goer from the Chicago suburbs said the festival is like "last hurrah" for him.

"It's August, so most of our friends are leaving for college within the next few weeks. This is kind of the last hurrah for us so we're trying to soak it all in," he said.

Also getting in her "last hurrah" before starting class at Harvard University was former President Barack Obama's daughter Malia. As a Chicago native, she has attended the festival previously.

Another fan called Maddie who had traveled to Chicago from Tulsa, Oklahoma, said it was the city as much as the music that keeps her coming back each year.

"I've been to other small festivals, but none of them are as lively. Chicago is what keeps me coming back, this city is really nice. There's always something to do, there's so much sight-seeing and shops to go into," she told Xinhua.

American rapper Aminé and Malia Obama at Lollapalooza. /Photo via Aminé's Instagram

With hundreds of thousands of people visiting Chicago, the city has suffered from traffic congestion. But the economic benefits are obvious, with some estimates putting the economic impact of Lollapalooza at more than 140 million US dollars.

Lollapalooza also brings more than 3 million dollars in ticket sales each year to Grant Park, site for the festival.

President of Grant Park Conservancy Bob O'Neil said the festival might create a temporary mess but it leads to permanent improvements for the city.

"Grant Park is dependent on Lollapalooza now," O'Neil said during an interview with local media, "Thousands of trees planted, different gardens renovated, and new gardens created."

Lollapalooza attendees take a break from the music to rest at the center of the festival. /Xinhua Photo

The music festival will return next year with an all-new lineup to be announced in early 2018.

Lollapalooza will continue to tour in Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and for the first time, France.

(Source: Xinhua)

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