By: Aleisha F. & Caitlin F.
It was another historic year for Korean music at this year’s Lollapalooza, which took place in Chicago from July 31 to August 3. For the fourth year in a row, a K-Pop artist has headlined the festival. This year’s honor went to veteran girl group TWICE, who were among big names such as Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter. The iconic festival also saw the most Korean acts in its history and has consistently been adding popular Korean acts to its lineup since J-Hope of BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER appeared in 2022. Lollapalooza 2025 drew record crowds of approximately 115,000 people per day after selling out all of its four-day passes just an hour after going on sale.
In addition to TWICE’s dazzling set, junior JYP Entertainment labelmates Xdinary Heroes and KickFlip also showcased their unique talents and charms to Lollapalooza attendees during the first few days of the festival.
Xdinary Heroes
Day 1 of Lollapalooza was a muddy affair after pouring rain drenched Chicago the day before. Wildfire smoke blowing in from Canada also threatened the city’s air quality for the weekend. But none of that stopped festivalgoers from enjoying the festival to its full extent. After a long day, attendees began gathering for the final sets of the night. Villains – fans of rock band Xdinary Heroes – gathered at the Grove stage to see the band close out Lollapalooza’s first day. Some even brought along handmade freebies like bracelets and DIY photo strips to share, fostering a sense of community among both fans and curious festivalgoers in the Grove.
Villains had begun congregating at the stage throughout the day to secure good viewing spots. During rapper 2hollis’ energetic set prior, Xdinary Heroes’ and other K-Pop artists’ lightsticks could be seen being waved around the muddy grounds. Some fearless fans even brought them into the mosh pits that opened throughout the set. After a brief medical emergency during 2hollis’ set, Lollapalooza safety staff proactively came onstage ahead of Xdinary Heroes’ appearance to ask fans to take three steps back to make space for each other to avoid further incidents. They noted that they knew Xdinary Heroes was going to be a big act and encouraged attendees to take care of one another so that everyone could enjoy themselves.
Finally, once darkness fell over Grant Park, it was time for Xdinary Heroes to take the stage. The house lights glowed deep blue and began pulsing in time with an epic electric guitar overture. Gun-il, Jungsu, Gaon, O.de, Jun Han, and Jooyeon walked onstage to their respective instruments to the screams of Villains.
The set started off with “FIGHT ME,” the defiant opening track to their latest EP, Beautiful Mind. Jungsu’s smooth falsetto and the soft piano captivated the crowd immediately. The otherworldly vibe and softness of the intro was deceptive – the burst of guitars and heavy snares that followed set the real tone for the rest of the night.
Xdinary Heroes kept the hype energy going by following up with “Break the Brake,” a rugged metal track. Attendees were headbanging, and Villains went wild for Jun Han’s guitar solo. Next up was “Bicycle,” an alternative song that features more aggressive rap elements courtesy of Gaon and O.de. They transitioned into the fan-favorite “Strawberry Cake” without missing a beat. Fittingly, the stage lights glowed shades of pink and red as the band sang snarkily about a lover who seems sweet on the outside but is actually a liar.
Up next was “Freakin’ Bad,” another Villain-loved track. Fans cheered as soon as they heard the catchy chorus of “Freakin’ bad, bad, freakin’ good, good” begin to play. The band motioned for the crowd to clap their hands in the air while chanting the chorus a cappella, while Gun-il kept the beat on the drums. Villains delivered by singing the chorus back loudly before the band jumped right into the punky song in full force. Jooyeon called on the audience to sing it again, and each time the chorus rolled around, the Grove rang out with the sound of the crowd.
Afterward, the band launched right into “George the Lobster.” The eccentrically-named song is based on a real lobster that made headlines for being around 140 years old around the time it was caught. The song itself is a metaphor for the painful changes one must make to grow, just like a lobster. The audience danced along to the song’s whimsical beat, and both fans and casual attendees alike erupted in cheers for O.de’s synthesizer solos.
Green light fittingly bathed the stage for the next two songs: “MONEYBALL” and “Money On My Mind.” The high-energy pop-punk and classic rock-inspired tracks were fodder for the headbangers in the crowd. During “Money On My Mind,” the members kneeled to give Jun Han’s intense guitar solo a moment to shine.
After thirty minutes of nonstop rocking out, Xdinary Heroes finally took a moment to drink some water and greet the audience.
“Thanks to you, we’re finally here at Lollapalooza!” Jungsu said. “This stage has been a dream for us, and today, it’s an honor to stand here with all the amazing people in front of us.”
“You guys know that you are amazing, right? We’re the final act at the Grove tonight, so is everyone ready to tear the stage down together?” Gun-il asked with roaring screams.
After a quick energy check from the crowd, Gaon teased the next song. “This energy and this moment…I think we’re living in a beautiful life,” he said. “So let’s get ready for the next one!”
With that, they got right into “Beautiful Life,” a rebellious anthem that tells the story of breaking free from control. The lyrics, “War is peace and freedom’s slavery,” and “ignorance is strength,” are direct references to the classic novel 1984 by George Orwell, a fun Easter egg for readers in the crowd. Jooyeon’s rich vocals were a highlight, cycling between classically smooth and a punky rasp.
Xdinary Heroes stepped back from the heavy tone of the set’s first half with “Save Me,” a melancholic song with a laidback beat and melodic progression. Fans sang the angsty lyrics at the top of their lungs. Jooyeon then crooned the opening lyrics to “Little Things,” and the band members encouraged the crowd to wave their arms back and forth. The softer, chilled-out vibe didn’t last long, though, as the band charged right into the pop-punk track and fans matched the energy by reverting to headbanging.
The night’s energy crested with “LOVE and FEAR,” a bombastic song that experiments with distorted vocals and chord progressions. Its musical twists and turns, impressive harmonies, and the members’ mastery over their instruments were the perfect recipe for the audience to go wild.
The band kept things moving with “Diamond” and “iNSTEAD! (feat. YB Yoon Do Hyun),” encouraging the audience to scream and make noise. The screamo elements of the two songs were heaven for metal fans. While full-blown mosh pits never quite opened during Xdinary Heroes’ set, many songs saw smaller groups of attendees create spaces for others to dance and rage out. These two songs were no different – with the set hurtling toward its conclusion, more attendees lost their inhibitions, headbanging and jumping around without a care for even the puddles and mud.
Jooyeon, hyped up from his screaming parts in the previous songs, introduced their next song. “This is our last song! ‘FiRE!’ LOLLA, LET’S FUCKING SCREAM! LET’S GO!”
Without further ado, the band got right into the toxic love anthem. The crowd didn’t stop moving, and at this point, no one seemed to care that there was mud everywhere as Jungsu’s powerful vocals and Jun Han’s guitar solo rang out through the Grove. Afterward, it seemed as though Xdinary Heroes were ready to say their goodbyes, taking off their instruments.
“Thank you guys! We actually have about four minutes left onstage. If you guys want, we could play one more song?” Gun-il asked. The crowd erupted in cheers. Despite the positive response, he continued to gently tease Villains, “You guys want it? Are you guys sure?”
As if Xdinary Heroes needed any more convincing to stay on longer, Gun-il relented. “Alright, then this is our last, last song. If you guys have any leftover energy, it’s time to spend it up, okay? Jump around like crazy.”
The band returned to their setup and jumped into “Happy Death Day.” Fans screamed for their beloved debut song. Like fulfilling a promise, the audience thrashed and danced along. Xdinary Heroes used up the last of their energy, too, jumping onto platforms at the edge of the stage to get closer to fans and pointing their mics at the crowd to sing the words.
As they said their final goodbyes, the members took turns tossing extra guitar and bass picks into the crowd for lucky fans to catch. They waved, sent arm hearts, and blew kisses to the audience as they cheered and barked to show their appreciation.
Xdinary Heroes’ debut Lollapalooza set was nothing short of incredible. Murmurs of “wow” and “I can’t believe that happened” were heard as festivalgoers began making their way out of Grant Park for the night. It was the perfect appetizer for an eventful weekend ahead.
Check out our pre-set interview with Xdinary Heroes here!
KickFlip
KickFlip literally kicked off Lollapalooza Day 3 at the Bud Light main stage under the hot midday sun. The seven-member group is JYP Entertainment’s newest and was formed through J.Y. Park and PSY’s 2021 survival show, Loud. After a four-year preparation period, Kyehoon, Amaru, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju, and Donghyeon finally debuted in January of this year. Lollapalooza was KickFlip’s debut U.S. performance – and since the group doesn’t have an official lightstick yet, fans showed up in full force with those of various K-Pop groups to show their support, even if the glow couldn’t be seen in the bright sun.
A scrapbook-style graphic featuring KickFlip’s name written in Hangul over a door appeared on the backdrop screen, and the bright opening guitar riffs from “Skip It!” began to play as KickFlip emerged from backstage. They got the crowd hyped with the song’s chorus of “jekkija, jekkija!” then jumped right into the song. KickFlip’s youthful energy and the laidback schoolboy aesthetic of their outfits had WeFlip (their fans) and casual attendees alike cooing over their appearance.
Up next was “Mama Said,” another upbeat guitar-led pop-rock inspired track and lead single from their debut EP, Flip it, Kick it!. The nonchalant anthem of teenage rebellion had festivalgoers jumping along and bopping their heads. The crowd cheered when the members lifted Keiju for one part of the song’s choreography and again when Juwang sang his high note during the bridge.
KickFlip then switched up the vibe a bit with “Knock Knock,” a 90s-inspired song about a heart-pounding crush. The crowd went crazy for Amaru’s impressive adlibs, Minje’s deep rapping voice, and the group’s groovy dance breakdown featuring fun flips.
The boys finally had a moment to drink some water amidst the heat and greeted the audience.
“Lolla! Are you ready to lose control?” Kyehoon asked, to roaring cheers. “Chicago! We are KickFlip, and we came all the way from South Korea to dominate the stage.”
Minje added, “This is our very first show in the U.S., and for most of our members, this is their first time ever in America.”
After introducing themselves one by one, Minje then teased the next stage. “Are you all ready to feel special?” he asked the crowd.
The familiar intro notes of “Feel Special” by TWICE started playing, causing the audience to scream once they recognized the tune. The boys put their own fun spin on the song. The rock rearrangement focused less on the iconic choreography and instead showcased the group’s vocal and rap skills. They ran down the stage’s catwalk to wave and dance with the crowd and encouraged them to sing along. The medley transitioned into “Like OOH-AHH,” TWICE’s debut song. The track’s bright energy and cute choreography fit the rookie group well. Just like “Feel Special” previously, they succeeded in reimagining a well-loved song by senior artists into something uniquely KickFlip.
“We are TWICE’s little brothers from JYP!” Kyehoon declared.
“Any ONCEs [TWICE fans] in the crowd right now?” Amaru asked. The audience responded with more cheers, many of them likely waiting for TWICE to perform on the same stage later that night.
Keiju added, “We see you and we love you guys!” He made a heart with his arms, which drew cheers and arm hearts in return.
KickFlip noted that it was getting hot in Grant Park, but they were going to make it hotter. They launched into the aptly-named “Before the Sun Explodes” without missing a beat. Festivalgoers matched their energy by waving their hands and lightsticks back and forth to the beat of the song. Next up was “Umm Great,” a song with Y2K nostalgic vibes about pushing forward even when things are tough. The song’s sharp beats allowed KickFlip to put their synchronized choreography on display for the audience.
Next up was “FREEZE,” the title track of their latest mini-album, Kick Out, Flip Now!. The upbeat track celebrating a school skip day featured fun, explosive choreography and some more impressive high notes. KickFlip’s happy energy was contagious and had attendees of all ages dancing along.
They transitioned into “Like A Monster” afterward, a rap-forward song reminiscent of old-school funk and hip hop. KickFlip took a break from set choreography for the next song, “Complicated!,” which saw them interacting with the crowd and jumping around the catwalk. KickFlip walked back to the main part of the stage to greet the audience once more.
“You know why we’re called KickFlip?” Donghyeon asked.
“‘Cause we’re gonna flip this stage for the rest of our set!” Donghwa responded, earning more screams from the crowd.
The group then went into “Electricity,” a bouncy song complemented by heavy guitars, comparing the feeling of talking to a crush to a million volts. For their last song, KickFlip performed “How We KickFlip,” a carefree and heartwarming ode to youth and friendship. As they sang, the members took one last lap around the stage to wave and greet fans before saying their goodbyes and thanking Chicago for an unforgettable Lollapalooza debut.
Check out our exclusive Digicam Diaries with KickFlip after their Lollapalooza set here and KickFlip’s Lollapalooza Fit Check here!
TWICE
As the beating Chicago sun faded into a watercolor of blues and oranges, the grass surrounding Lollapalooza’s Bud Light stage began to fill with fans in anticipation of TWICE’s legendary U.S. festival debut. As the crowd grew, the buzz of excitement for Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu to appear was palpable.
Conversations among the crowd revealed that some TWICE fans, known as ONCE, had been waiting at the stage since the festival doors opened nine hours earlier to secure a good view for the set. Some fans speculated on whether the group would perform their classics or their newest hits. Others theorized on what kind of outfits the members would be wearing or if the group would bring out a special guest. One thing was certain: the pulsing energy of ONCE in the crowd was contagious, and 8:30 PM could not come any quicker.
Around ten minutes before the set was slated to begin, the group’s name appeared in bright blue font across the stage’s magnificent jumbotrons, prompting the crowd to erupt into screams. As the clock ticked down closer and closer to 8:30 PM and the sun fully set, a VCR began playing on the large screens, introducing each member of TWICE alongside the intro track “FOUR,” which proudly declares, “Once you see us, you’ll madly love us twice!” The chant echoed through the crowd as the start of the set drew closer.
Finally, the stage lights went out, and the moment ONCE had been waiting for finally arrived. Nayeon’s voice resounded through the crowd as she sang the first line of the chorus of TWICE’s English hit, “The Feels,” a cappella. Jihyo continued singing the chorus, every heavenly line accompanied by a flash of red fireworks sparkling up the stage and sky. A faux subway car’s doors on the back of the stage opened, revealing the rest of the members. The Bud Light stage brimmed with TWICE’s energy as soon as they began, strutting around the stage and hitting the cheerful choreography with precision.
The group continued with their hit “MORE & MORE,” complete with a rock and roll dance break accompanied by backup dancers and their impressive live band. They then launched into a mini dance break to the track “Touchdown,” before transitioning into the 2018 fan-favorite, “Dance The Night Away.” One of their top-streamed and most beloved tracks, “What Is Love?,” came next and included a rock breakdown for the bridge that had Jeongyeon and Momo headbanging along to the beat. The bright track “Talk That Talk” came next before the nontet slowed it down with their tropical bossa nova track, “Alcohol-Free,” where they took the time to introduce themselves to the crowd individually.
TWICE got an opportunity to catch their breath backstage as the live band performed an interlude of “STUCK IN MY HEAD,” keeping the crowd energized and giving the instrumentalists a chance to shine. “ICON” followed and then flowed into another one of their most-streamed tracks, “I CAN’T STOP ME,” where they headed down the catwalk. Mina, Tzuyu, and Nayeon showed off their skilled vocals as they sang the emotional bridge in “CRY FOR ME.” The group then broke it down with “RIGHT HAND GIRL,” a track from their most recent album, THIS IS FOR. As the rest of the members made their way off stage, Momo and Nayeon stayed back to present a spicy duo dance break, showing off their fierce moves and spunky attitudes.
In one of the most exciting portions of the night, Jeongyeon, Chaeyoung, and Jihyo came out for the first live rendition of “TAKEDOWN,” the smash hit from the Netflix sensation KPop Demon Hunters, which was released in June to overnight success. The trio was able to show off their impressive vocal and rap skills as they hyped up the crowd with the tour de force track.
The rest of the members then came back out for TWICE’s most-streamed track of all time, “FANCY,” to which ONCE erupted in cheers. “Queen of Hearts” followed, allowing the members to forgo choreography as they scattered around different parts of the stage to interact with the crowd.
Finally, after a non-stop run of performances, the members got a chance to recuperate and address the audience.
“Over the past ten years, we’ve done so many shows. But this is actually our first time performing at a huge festival like this!” Chaeyoung declared.
“It will be an unforgettable memory for all of us,” Tzuyu added. “And we’re very thankful to be here tonight with you!”
“Moonlight Sunrise” had the girls taking a seat in front of the subway car set as they sang, allowing their full vocals to shine through as they rested from constant dancing. They then got right back into the swing of things with “ONE SPARK,” showcasing their synchronicity with a backdrop of perfectly timed fireworks to close out the electrifying song.
The lights of the stage faded to black as the members made their way off stage in what seemed like the end of the show. But moving bright lights in the sky caught the attention of the audience below, who quickly realized that they were being treated to an extravagant surprise drone show. But it wasn’t just any drone show – it was TWICE x KPop Demon Hunters-themed, increasing the oohs and ahhs of the crowd as they processed the crossover.
The movie’s most popular songs played alongside the drones as they formed into various images from the film: a demon wearing the traditional Korean gat, Derpy the Tiger with its magpie companion Sussie, TWICE’s representative sprite characters called “Lovelys,” and HUNTR/X’s special demon hunting weapons. The screams of the crowd crescendoed with each transition to a new image. Fans sang along to every song from the soundtrack as it played, their voices echoing throughout Chicago’s Grant Park in a display of beautiful unity through music. The drone show concluded with the words “The Honmoon is sealed” plastered across the night sky, calling back to the epic conclusion of KPop Demon Hunters and allowing Lollapalooza to be part of the film’s universe.
As the drone lights faded, TWICE reappeared on stage to sing “Strategy,” which also appears in the Netflix film. Their most recent single, “THIS IS FOR,” came next and was met with intense cheers as ONCE sang along in excitement.
“It [Lollapalooza] was a night that we will carry in our hearts forever and ever!” Dahyun exclaimed as the girls caught their breath and took the time to thank those who contributed to making their set happen. “Thank you so much for sharing this moment with us!”
Ahead of their last song, Jihyo teased new music and an upcoming tour where they would be able to meet ONCE again. The members devoted “Feel Special” to interacting with fans in the crowd, throwing out heart hands, blowing kisses, and waving goodbye. As TWICE lined up to take their last bow, emotions ran high for both the group and the audience, knowing that the legendary performance was coming to an end.
However, the group came out just a few minutes later for an encore of “THIS IS FOR,” where their joyous energy was contagious as they jumped around the stage, used their water bottles to spray the crowd, and joked around with each other.
Finally, the members took their real final bows, and as they made their way backstage, the moment the crowd had been dreading had truly come: TWICE’s momentous Lollapalooza performance was over. As the crowd steadily made its way out of the festival grounds, the excitement still ran high as groups could be heard raving about the historic moment they had just witnessed: TWICE – the first Korean girl group ever to headline Lollapalooza.
With stellar live vocals, skillful and synchronized choreography, and a majestic surprise drone show, TWICE did not skip out on making their U.S. festival debut an amazing show for both established fans and casual listeners alike.