TVD Live: Lollapalooza at Grant Park, 8/1

2:54PM: I just witnessed three drug deals so far walking down Michigan Avenue. I can hear the EDM from Perry’s Stage, which as it turns out is an appropriate soundtrack for the transactions. Lollapalooza 2019 has arrived. Here we go!

4:34PM: We’re off to an exciting start! The first fence jumper of the weekend races out of Artist Village. Security is chasing him but the jumper is too speedy and successfully disappears into crowd.

4:45PM: Matt Shultz of Cage the Elephant spotting! He’s here today as a concertgoer, not a performer, but still manages to look as intriguing as ever holding the skeleton of an umbrella.

5:26PM: H.E.R. begins her set a little late but quickly proves she can do it all. Three songs in and she’s already played the guitar, bass, and drums. And did I mention she has a beautiful voice?

6:54PM: Saba is charming, often flashing his adorable smile throughout his time slot at the American Eagle Stage. The Chicago native is making his hometown proud.

7:09PM: I wander south and catch the end of Hozier and notice that the sound has improved since last year. No surprise—at this point Lolla runs like a well oiled machine. It’s impressive, given its size (Lolla averages 100,000 attendees per day). Not enough can be said for the fest organizers who continue to perfect elements of Lolla each year.

7:29PM: Hozier brings out Maggie Rogers for “Work Song” and the crowd is thrilled.

8:12PM: There’s been a buzz about 20-year-old Brooklynite King Princess, so I’ve been anticipating her show and I’m not disappointed. Wearing a custom Lollapalooza outfit, she bounces around the stage owning it.

8:52PM: “We want The Strokes!” They are seven minutes late for their headlining set and a chant has broken out.

9:42PM: Happy to report that The Strokes are in fine form and dusting off some oldies. I think I even saw Julian Casablancas smile! Night one is in the books.

MATT SCHULTZ