Despite Chicago having some of the worst air quality in the world this week, Lollapalooza 2025 kicked off Thursday in Grant Park with breezy and enjoyable temps in the 70s. A highlight of the day was the Chicago Made Showcase at Tito’s Stage, where six local artists performed in the showcase presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Each artist entered a local competition, hosted by the city, to be selected for the big Lolla stage.
The Era Footwork Collective brought tons of electrifying energy to the showcase. They pride themselves on being more than a footwork crew; they are dance artists who also rap. Thursday marked their return to one of the world’s largest music festivals; they last performed years ago with Save Money crewmember Towkio.
“We back performing our own music and footworking,” The Era member Jamal “LiteBulb” Oliver said. Since their 2016 appearance, the group has dropped multiple singles and music projects, including 2025’s Locked In EP and Let the Record Reflect EP.
“Pushing our music even more with our dance culture is important, too,” The Era member Jemal “P-Top” De La Cruz said. “We ain’t just dancers. We ain’t just rappers. [We’re] dance artists.”
Rising R&B artists Clairice and Feather gave separate performances along with BJ the Chicago Kid, known for his sultry collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Anderson .Paak and more.
Rapper Mike Lawry Baby also hit the stage, and popular Chicago DJ Ca$h Era spun a set.
Another exciting afternoon highlight came from R&B singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr, who gave the crowd a mix of his solo jams and features, such as Kaytranada’s “Freefall.”
Lollapalooza will go on through Sunday. For those who couldn’t attend the festival this year, performances are streaming live on Hulu.
See more photos from day one of Lollapalooza.
