LOLLAPALOOZA 2018: DAY ONE
With- DJ Taye, Nick Mulvey, VALEE, CUCO, Allie X, The Wombats, G Herbo, Franz Ferdinand
Thursday August 2nd 2018
Grant Park Chicago

Opening day of Lollapalooza 2018, in the blazing heat. No rain this year (thank god). But lots and lots of heat and humidity over the course of the four day festival.
Had to arrive early to the festival fro an opening performance with DJ Taye and his posse performing at the American Eagle Stage.
From there, bounced over to Tito’s Stage (which is actually the Petrillo Music Shell) to catch a performance with Nick Mulvey.
Then back to the American eagle Stage for the performance with local rapper and all around cool guy VALEE.
A mellow dude with a mellow vibe, but with sophisticated beats and accompaniment. A memorable performance at 1 in the afternoon.
Then over to the north side of the festival and it’s main stage- Bud Light, for the performer CUCO, cool kid, only 19, who is a self produced Chicano solo artist who’s gaining in huge popularity, as evident by the large mid afternoon crowd ready and willing to sing along to his every word.
Next up: The Wombats from the Lake Shore Stage, A brash indie rock band from Liverpool, who in the course of their set in the blazing sun and heat, definitely know how to throw a brash and fun party no matter what the time of day.
Then back north on the Lollapalooza grounds to the American Eagle Stage for the artist G Herbo. The place is packed for this cool hip hop / rapper, who doesn’t disappoint.
Can’t forget the brilliant artist Allie X, who has one very memorable set awash in fluorescent green gowns and puffy clothing, and a mask from her current video “Not So Bad In LA”. The mask- a distorted veil mask of weird lips and bullet shot eyes is the centerpiece of me photographing her, and Allie X’s set is one that is beguiling and transfixing, making the most of her time on stage, and clearly winning the audience and me in the “Most Ambitious Performance” department.
Lollapalooza has an uncanny ability year in and year out of presenting front and center cool and theatrical performers that are not headliners, but yet have the ability of when leaving the festival after the four days, of making them most memorable.
Clearly that is Allie X in spades, a most rewarding set and performance.
And lastly, Franz Ferdinand, a Scottish indie rock band that clearly from the main stage at Lollapalooza, which is the Grant Park Stage, know how to incite and attract a crowd, keep them entertained, one cool song after another.
Obviously, there’s more to come from Lollapalooza 2018, still from the first day immediately following.
Until then, hope you dig this first volley of photos from the festival.
Cheers- Bobby Talamine- Music Photographer