With Lollapalooza in April, Lollapalooza in August, and ACL in October, your music festival calendar for next year is already full. As it should be – these are all festivals that are the experience of a lifetime. Though each is a completely different experience from the next.

Though it was founded as a rock festival, Lollapalooza now has something for everyone, from your cousin who’s into EDM to your own love of classic rock. If you’re looking for a festival where you can see classic bands who you’ve been a fan of for 20 plus years and new talent on the scene, it’s time to book a trip to Chicago – Lollapalooza is for you!

The History of Lollapalooza: It’s a Doozy

Originally Lollapalooza was a touring festival, with a slightly different lineup in each location. It was founded by Perry Farrel in 1991 and named for a word he heard in a Three Stooges film.

The first tour played in 20 different cities and included performers ranging from Nine Inch Nails to Ice-T. Unfortunately, the next ten years proved that the touring model wasn’t financially sustainable. And the tour was canceled over and over again. It wasn’t until 2005 when the tour became a Chicago-only event, that it started making money again. Now it’s a music industry staple.

Going to Lollapalooza

Since it’s in Chicago, you don’t need to pack as much or plan as hard as you would for other festivals. You have access to all the hotels in Chicago, but the good ones go fast. While you’re there don’t forget to explore the windy city a little bit and experience some Chicago-style hotdogs and pizza.