In a landmark moment for K-pop, Stray Kids and IVE are set to make their mark on the global stage at Lollapalooza Chicago. The festival, renowned for its eclectic mix of music and massive international following, will showcase these two leading fourth-generation K-pop acts in live performances that fans can tune into from around the world.
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| Lollapalooza, Chicago |
Stray Kids, the rising stars of the genre, will headline the Bud Light stage on August 2nd at 8:30 PM local time (August 3rd, 10:30 AM KST). This year marks a significant step up for the group, who performed at Lollapalooza last year but did not headline. This time, they have been allocated a 90-minute set, reflecting their growing prominence in the global music scene. Stray Kids’ recent mini-album, ATE, has topped the Billboard 200, solidifying their position as one of the most influential K-pop acts of the moment. Their summer festival circuit has already included headlining spots at Italy’s I-Days and London’s BST Hyde Park, making Lollapalooza Chicago their third major headlining gig this season.
IVE, on the other hand, will make their debut at a major festival with their performance on August 3rd at 5:00 PM local time (August 4th, 7:00 AM KST) on the T-Mobile stage. This appearance marks a new chapter for the group, known for their strong presence in music shows but now venturing into the festival scene with a band sound that promises to captivate new audiences. Despite not yet having a formal U.S. debut or extensive promotional activities, IVE has already completed a successful tour across six American cities. They were also recognized by Forbes as one of Asia’s influential under-30 figures, an accolade that highlights their rising influence.
Lollapalooza, which began in Chicago in 1991, is a sprawling music festival that spans continents with editions in the U.S., France, Chile, and Brazil. Known for featuring a diverse lineup of popular music genres including pop and rock, the festival attracts around 400,000 attendees over four days, with past performers including Paul McCartney, Metallica, and Coldplay. This year, besides Stray Kids, other headliners include Hozier, Future & Metro Boomin, and Melanie Martinez. Additionally, JYP Entertainment’s rookie global girl group, VCHA, will also make an appearance, further enhancing the K-pop presence at this year’s festival.
For fans eager to catch the action, Lollapalooza will offer live streaming options. In the U.S., the performances can be watched on Hulu, while international viewers can stream the shows via the official YouTube channels of Stray Kids and IVE.
As these K-pop titans take to the stage, their performances at Lollapalooza Chicago represent not just a personal achievement but a milestone for K-pop’s expanding global footprint.