TVD Live: Lollapalooza at Grant Park, 8/4

4:00PM: I’ve been stuck in the north entrance Lollapalooza line with 4,000 new companions. We’re inching along so I’m guessing I won’t have the chance to photograph Francis and the Lights. Bummer.

4:28PM: A little excitement here in the security line. A girl next to me simply couldn’t wait any longer to use the restroom. Pleading cries didn’t help her, but the crowd did. Those close formed a human circle to protect her from cops seeing her while she natured it. Teamwork.

4:39PM: I’m inside the gates! Finally! It’s the busiest day of the weekend (and best daily lineup). I weave my way through the crowds to Perry’s Stage.

5:22PM: Why the hell am I at Perry’s Stage? Would you believe me if I said Shaq? The NBA Hall of Famer has taken up a DJ career and goes by the stage name of Diesel. His skills are…shall we say less developed than his basketball game, but no one seems to care. The crowd rages and the scorch of the pyrotechnics leaves me sweaty.

5:25PM: Just got word that 300 to 400 kids broke down the gates at Michigan Ave. and Harrison St. about 20 minutes ago. Oh boy.

5:26PM: The Revivalists played their entire set with an “End Gun Violence” backdrop. We fell asleep to the news from El Paso and woke up to the news from Dayton. It’s not far from anyone’s thoughts today.

5:55PM: A mysterious skywriter appears above Grant Park during Sharon Van Etten’s set. “Smile” it spells out.

6:08PM: Sharon Van Etten is in her signature black and I’m wonder how she’s surviving in her leather pants with the sun beating down on her. Her set is gorgeous, intense, and a weekend highlight.

6:29PM: One minute until Kacey Musgraves and the chants for her have begun. “Kacey! Kacey! Kacey!”

7:10PM: Everyone’s current favorite country darling covers a ’70s staple: Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” It’s a truly joyful moment—so joyful that I get goosebumps watching the massive south end crowd dance and sing along. “Damn who’s sweatin'” she asks.

7:42PM: SLASH! I’ve got no poker face for this set— just a huge grin as I watch the legend shred. Myles Kennedy’s voice soars and The Conspirators prove a more than worthy backing band.

8:12PM: Mitski is mid-spellbinding performance art piece. It’s confident and thoughtful and starkly different from her shy 2017 set at Pitchfork Music Festival.

8:19PM: Welp, we’ve got a barfer. The fan stumbles towards the port-o-potties but can’t make it. She pukes—carafe of wine still in hand—and props herself against a tree. Her friend comes to help her and promptly and unknowingly sits down in her puke. Never change, Lolla.

8:25PM: Mitski finishes up and solidifies my thoughts that Sunday has been Lolla’s strongest day by far this year. Each set has felt special in its own way.

9:10PM: There’s more press than fans here for Perry Farrell’s Kind Heaven Orchestra, but I know more will wander over after Ariana Grande bores them. Mr. Lollapalooza has assembled a star-studded band and is sharing vocals with his wife, Etty Lau Farrell. It’s a perfect way to bid adieu to Lolla 2019.

DIESEL