The iconic annual music festival Lollapalooza has continually evolved since its inaugural year in 1991, and 2023 was no exception.
The original term "lollapalooza" means someone or something extraordinary, and the decision to give the festival that name still resonates each year thanks to a diverse lineup of musicians. This outdoor circus of sound used to travel around the world before finding a permanent residence in Chicago in 2005 and still hosts different versions of itself outside of the United States, including a debut in India this past January for two days.
Four days of festivities in the Grant Park area from Aug. 3-6 gave plenty of room to spotlight both new and seasoned acts. Within that sea of talent, there were several LGBTQ+ artists diving into the nine stages in downtown Chicago.
Kicking off the massive array of entertainers on day one, Leandra Earl from The Beaches, a Toronto rock band where she plays guitar and keyboards, led the charge by being an out and proud member of the band on the Bud Light Stage.
About an hour later J. Worra played tunes on Perry's Stage and talked to Windy City Times backstage after her set about being gay. "I was very closeted where I grew up because it was a very small town," she said. "Finding a safe haven of electronic music in Chicago catapulted me to become who I am."
Worra has given back to her community by donating a portion of the money collected at her gigs, most recently in Denver, for the youth-focused organization Rainbow Alley with fellow out DJ GRiZ. She added, "I want to continue down this path because I feel it's important to give back. I think people forget house music was founded in gay clubs and sometimes we are pushed out of it by cis, white, straight men. They need to be reminded that culturally house music venues are safe places for us."
Queer singer Joy Oladokun played directly after The Beaches on the same stage. This was the second time she traveled from Nashville to showcase her four studio albums at the festival.
Kidd Kenn was the last gay person to play at the BMI Stage on Thursday ending at 7:30 p.m. The South Sider with sass stated backstage that his pronouns are he, she or "that bitch." A collaboration with the Target Corporation brought his vision of a doll made in his likeness to life, "This was way before Barbie was popular, and I just saw the movie two days ago. My stage name came from Nicki Minaj and her fans known as Barbz. I wanted to be there next to her as a doll!"
On day two, singer Tyler Christian started at noon on the Bacardi Stage and smoothly scaled high notes to a crowd that clapped along to their tunes. They rushed over to meet for an interview backstage directly after and described themselves as "an R&B artist from Atlanta, Georgia who now lives in Boston after graduating from Berklee College of Music. I make music talking about my terrible love situation or whatever is happening in my life!"
Christian uses they/them pronouns and talked about identity, "I will use queer or gay sometimes, but there is really no word to describe me, so I just tell people that I like guys. Being non-binary is the closest thing I can put into words to show others how I see myself."
Their sense of style was also reaching outside the box: "Fashion is a huge part of what I do. I want to be super hip, lit and cool, so that is what I am going for!"
Christian further stated, "There is no right or wrong way to enjoy my art or interpret it. I plan on taking my time to release new music, but it is on the way!"
Bisexual singer Beabadoobee earned an afternoon slot at Tito's Handmade Vodka Stage and rocked out with guitars. Previously interviewed by Windy City Times at Lollapalooza in 2017, out British performer Declan McKenna returned to play the Bacardi Stage that Friday.
On a rainy Saturday electronic duo Sylvan Esso brought their beats to the Bud Light Stage. Singer Amelia Meath spoke on the microphone about mental health and being bisexual, while her husband played keyboards in a long black skirt. K-pop fans who had waited all day at the stage for Tomorrow X Together to play at 8:30 p.m. discovered new music and were taught a lesson in acceptance by Sylvan Esso in the process.
The following day pansexual artist Rina Sawayama started with her track "Hold the Girl" on the Bud Light Stage to open for headliner Lana Del Rey. The costuming and drama matched an unforgettable vocal performance by a Japanese singer that is quickly on the rise.
The celebration of unique artists ended on Sunday night with a long intro on the T-Mobile Stage and funky vocals by Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers. While the rockers didn't perform wearing only socks as in the past, bassist Flea gave onlookers a handstand that showed he has still go it.
From Karol G making history by being the first Latina to headline at the festival to Jared Leto from Thirty Seconds to Mars swinging down from the top of the Bud Light proscenium arch like Spider-Man, Lollapalooza 2023 was once again extraordinary and memorable for all who attended. For upcoming news on next year's jamboree visit lollapalooza.com .
