Lollapalooza 2018 Predictions & Rumors

I know that a lot of people think this is WAY too early to be starting a list…but I actually started my predictions list earlier last year (you can read the post here). I only recently just started paying attention to rumors and I get the majority of my info from Reddit – as well as guesses that I’ve come up with on my own. I think guessing headliners is a lot trickier compared to being able to place the undercards – since Lollapalooza changed their format to four days in 2016, it’s fairly easy to guess the majority of an undercard if you’re as into music as I am.

As always, this post is a work in progress and I will continue to update it – and will eliminate artists closer to the festival lineup announcement. Enjoy!

**Last updated on March 13 after the Osheaga Lineup dropped**

For the record: when I share when the performer has last played / ever played Lollapalooza, I’m referring to the Chicago festival, not the Lollapaloozas that are in other countries.

I’m introducing this new system that I decided could be beneficial to my readers. I am going to rate the likeliness of the artist being on the lineup out of 100%. 20% means it’s more of a “I really want them to be there!” vs. 60-80% being “They’re on every other lineup” sort of thing.

I probably won’t do a 100% on anyone until we get way closer to the lineup dropping.

Headliners: 

Here is my guess as of 1/17/2018. In alphabetical order. I don’t play games with who’s booked at number one because that is pretty interchangeable in my opinion.

Update: Kendrick just announced a headlining tour and is playing Tinley Park (right outside of Chicago) in June. The radius clause that Lollapalooza tries to enforce may not like that he’s here two months from Lolla, but I don’t think he is necessarily completely ruled out yet. It’s probably less likely now, but I’m not sure where his absence leaves us.

Arctic Monkeys / Halsey / Jack White / Kendrick Lamar (?) / The National / Odesza / Vampire Weekend / The Weeknd

Other options – Sub Travis Scott for Halsey. (Updated on 2/1).

Another update on this on 2/1: Travis Scott leaked his tour dates online early. He’s scheduled for Lollapalooza on August 2, which is Thursday night. So he very well may be in Halsey’s place, but that leaves us with a spot to fill for Kendrick. Click here for the screenshot from his website. 

UPDATE ON 2/1. Huge rumors that Bruno Mars is our top booked performer. If that is the case…

Let’s play a game. If this list is right, who is going to headline on what day? My guess:

Thursday: Arctic Monkeys vs. Travis Scott
Friday: Vampire Weekend vs. The Weeknd
Saturday: Bruno Mars or (________) vs. The National
Sunday: Jack White vs. Odesza

Another update on 2/12. The new rumor is that Gorillaz is playing Lollapalooza and Bruno is out. Here’s what the newest rumors show:

The Weeknd / Jack White / Arctic Monkeys / Gorillaz / Vampire Weekend / The National / Odesza / Travis Scott. 

Thursday: I say Thursday for AM because they’re playing Norway on August 8. I don’t see them playing any later in the weekend (the 3, 4, or 5th) based on the conveniences of travel. I suppose they could play the 3rd but it seems like it’s too squished in.

Here are the reasonings behind each headliner and other alternatives:

Arctic Monkeys. Like VW, Arctic Monkeys have been on a break for awhile, and Alex Turner was focusing on his other project – The Last Shadow Puppets (they headlined the Pepsi stage in 2016). I would love to see AM at Lolla because when they last headlined (2014) my entire group chose Eminem over them and I still have never seen them live.

Last Lolla performance: 2014
Likeliness – 80%

David Byrne. – I’m sorry I’m not musically educated and had to Google who David Byrne is (he founded The Talking Heads). Byrne is playing SO MANY festivals over the summer including THREE Lollapaloozas internationally. If they want a legacy act, here’s one.

**UPDATE: He’s playing the Chicago theater in early June. This is pretty unlikely**

Eminem. Again, not sure about the lineup tilting to this much rap music but Eminem is releasing new music and was last there in 2014. There’s a guy on the festival threads on Reddit who’s never been wrong with his predictions in the past saying we AREN’T getting Eminem so I’m saying we aren’t also.

Last Lolla performance: 2014
Likeliness – 40%

Fleetwood Mac. This is a SHOT IN THE DARK! I haven’t seen any rumors, but it would be my absolute dream to see a reunited Fleetwood Mac at Lolla in 2018. I think it’s possible, I think that Lolla needs to grab a legacy act this year as a headliner. Only time will tell.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 20%

**UPDATE: This won’t happen. A girl can dream!**

Future. I have no interest in Future but seeing his name on other lineups has me guessing that he’s another one for us. Blah.

Last Lolla performance: 2016
Likeliness: 60%

Halsey. Please, please don’t let this happen. I was a fan of Halsey in the beginning stages of her career and have seen her live but have not been a fan of her recent releases and I don’t really think she’s a great live performer. She’s been to Lollapalooza twice since 2014 – and was one of the few to return to Lollapalooza two years in a row for another slot in 2015 – so I really, really don’t want to see her AGAIN. Please give this slot to someone else. But I don’t know.

Last Lolla performance: 2015
Likeliness: 60%

Jack White. He is headlining two other festivals thus far (as I type on 1/8) and the last time he was at Lollapalooza was in 2012. My money is that he is booked number one.

Last Lolla performance: 2012
Likeliness: 80%

Jay-Z. I’ve seen his name being thrown around a LOT – and to be honest, I know nothing about Jay-Z and I probably can’t place more than three of his songs. The more that lineups come out, the more that I would say this won’t happen, but you never know!

Last Lolla performance: Never (please correct me if I’m wrong – I did minimal research)
Likeliness: 20%

Kendrick Lamar. This one is more of an interesting grab for me because Kendrick has had such a great year – but I don’t see Lollapalooza grabbing Jay-Z AND Kendrick. My guess is it is one or the other – who would  you rather see?

Last Lolla performance: 2013
Likeliness: 60%

Lady Gaga. I think Lollapalooza needs a female pop artist as a headliner. I don’t think Lorde will come back even though her set got caught short due to weather (still upset about it), Ellie Goulding was there in 2016 and hasn’t done much since, Florence and the Machine is rumored but she was there in 2015, Katy Perry flopped this year, and T.Swift will (sadly) never play (just my guess) and is doing a stadium tour next summer. They can also easily give this slot to Halsey which (in my opinion) would be lame.

Last Lolla performance: 2010 (crazy)
Likeliness: 20%

Post Malone. Tried to get into his music, not my thing. I think he would headline a smaller stage – probably Pepsi.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

The National. Based on their growth since 2013 and their new album being received well, I think they could close out Bud Light against an act on the south stage. They can easily get picked up by Riot Fest or Pitchfork, though.

Last Lolla performance: 2013
Likeliness: 60%

Travis Scott. I’m surprised that Lolla would ever want to have him back after he was arrested during his performance back in 2015. He’s on two other festival lineups as of now. If Kendrick isn’t performing, they may need a rap headliner on the bill.

Vampire Weekend. The band has been teasing new music for nearly a year at this point – and the last time they played Lolla, they sub headlined. With such a long hiatus, Rostam leaving the band and starting his own project, the anticipation for Vampire Weekend to drop new music is REAL. I’m going out on a limb with this one but I’m pretty sure.

Last Lolla performance: 2013
Likeliness: 60%

The Weeknd. I really don’t want this to happen but according to a source on Reddit who has literally never been wrong about Lollapalooza has said that 1) Eminem won’t be there 2) we share a headliner with Coachella. There’s no way we’re getting Beyoncé so this is my guess. I’m annoyed about this since I don’t really like him and I also think it’s lame because he dropped out the day before the festival lineup was announced last year (The Killers replaced him). Apparently he didn’t want to be booked behind Chance the Rapper. So where does that put him on the lineup this year? #2?

Last Lolla performance: 2015
Likeliness: 80%

Zedd / The Chainsmokers / Odesza.  A set by an EDM artist is inevitable. I know next to nothing about this genre of music but these are the rumors as of right now.

Last Lolla performance: 2014, 2015, 2015, respectively.
Likeliness: 20%, 40%, 80%

Undercards:

The Aces. They’ve had a kickass 2017 and their debut album drops in April! Lets get this all female band at the BMI stage.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Alan Walker

Alice Merton

Alex Lahey. I found this gem on a Discover Weekly playlist (S/O Spotify) and didn’t really think she was that big but then she landed on the Bonnaroo lineup! And she’s playing Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores. She’s also doing a few shows with Jimmy Eat World soon.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Amy Shark.
Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 60%

Anderson .Paak

Bahamas

Billie Eilish. I would say she’s a strong contender to be performing at Lollapalooza this year. Her 2017 was INSANE and her spring tour (I got tickets!) sold out in 30 minutes. Oh, and she’s ONLY 15-years-old…

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Bleachers.  Was shocked he wasn’t there in 2017…Jack loves Chicago…they’re playing Coachella, Hangout Fest and Bottleneck as of right now.

Last Lolla performance: 2014
Likeliness: 80%

BØRNS. I love Garrett’s music but I don’t love his live performance. He just released a second album, is about to start a tour, and hasn’t playing Lolla since ’15.

Last Lolla performance: 2015
Likeliness: 80%

BROCKHAMPTON. Blowing up like crazy! I can see them actually headlining The Grove by August or performing on the main stage. It’ll be interesting to see where the cards fall.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Cardi B. She’s had an amazing 2017. I’m sure she’s already booked. Would be an interesting turn of events. Not sure if I would see her based on other performance times / not really my type of music (even thugh I love her as a human).

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 100% (Going strong with this)

Chromeo

Chvrches. They’ve been MIA for awhile, but there are lots of rumors that they’re working on new music right now, and they haven’t performed at Lolla since 2014 (which is wild!!!!) They are only on one festival thus far and it’s in the UK.

Last Lolla performance: 2014
Likeliness: 40%

Cigarettes After Sex

Coin. They are about to embark on a winter tour and are on the Bottlerock Lineup.
Last Lolla performance: 2015
Likeliness: 80%

Daniel Caesar. He’s had a great 2017 and is only getting more and more traction.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 60%

Dermot Kennedy

Dua Lipa. Lolla did the cool thing and snatched her in 2016 before she was remotely well known, and she played to less than 500 people early in the day (I was there. It’s cool to brag about it). She’s only on Bonnaroo thus far…we’ll see.

Last Lolla performance: 2016
Likeliness: 80%

Father John Misty. He hasn’t played since 2015 and is also performing at a handful of other festivals this summer.

First Aid Kit. One of my favorite live performances came from FAK in 2015. Their new album drops very soon. Fingers crossed!

Update: FAK are playing festivals in the UK on August 3 and 5. Looks like they won’t be at Lolla this year 🙁

Last Lolla performance: 2015
Likeliness: 80%

Fleet Foxes. Everyone was convinced they were playing Lolla in 2017, so it seems like they will actually be performing this year. Their newest touring schedule does not have a date in Chicago and they are playing other festivals like Coachella, Shaky Knees and Boston Calling.

Update: FF is headlining Pitchfork this year. Sad. 

Greta Van Fleet. They’re playing a TON of festivals this summer and currently have an opening in their schedule that can get them to be at Lolla.

Jade Bird. She’s had a solid year and is playing Coachella, Bonnaroo and Firefly.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Japanese Breakfast. Michelle Zauner has no tour dates coming up in Chicago and is playing Bonnaroo.

Update: Pitchfork

Julien Baker. Her sophomore album, Turn Out the Lights, has gotten an immense amount of positive reviews this year, and I can see her being 2018’s The Japanese House in terms of when and where she would perform. I can also see Pitchfork snatching her up. She’s doing some April shows in the midwest and Chicago is not on the list. Hmm…

Update: Pitchfork

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 60%

Update: She was swooped up by Pitchfork. 

Khalid. I think Lollapalooza REALLY screwed up by not getting him in 2017 – would be absolutely flabbergasted if they screw up two years in a row by not getting him. His upcoming tour dates are not visiting Chicago. Enough said.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Knox Fortune. Would seriously be beyond shocked if he’s not at Lolla. Probably the most shocked out of all the people I believe will be performing.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 100%

Lauv. He’s been BLOWING UP this year and already sold out Lincoln Hall in February. Seems like the perfect Lolla artist to me.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Lany. It was a shock to me that Lany wasn’t at Lolla in 2017 – it was around the time that their debut full length album dropped and they’ve spent a LOT of the year touring. I guess that this means they can be gearing up for more festival appearances in 2018? They last performed at Lolla in 2015.

Last Lolla performance: 2015
Likeliness: 100%

Lil Pump. I know nothing about this rapper, literally nothing, I’ve just seen his name everywhere. So here’s my guess.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 60%

Lewis Capaldi. This dude can SING. I just discovered him after Ones To Watch posted about him (an outlet I write for) and I was blown away. I’d love to see him!

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Logic. He’s been making moves this year and blew up with a radio hit ft. Alessia Cara. I would assume he’s big enough to sub-headline. Side note: Logic & Halsey are performing a show together at Summerfest (well, co-headlining). Does this mean anything? Maybe.

Last Lolla performance: 2015
Likeliness: 60%

Manchester Orchestra. Seeing that they haven’t been back in four years, and the lineups they’ve appeared on this year…along with a strong 2017 album…they’ll be there.

Last Lolla performance: 2014
Likeliness: 80%

Update: Manchester Orchestra was recently performing in 101.1 WKQX’s Sound Lounge in Chicago and shared they’re performing at Lolla this year. Click here for the video (around 1:30).

Matt Maeson. He’s playing Bonnaroo! Lolla, make it happen.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 60%

Milk & Bone

Mitski. She had a good year and is touring with Lorde in early 2018. Again, I can see her being more fitted for Pitchfork.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 40%

Moon Taxi. They’ve been touring heavily this year, despite not being on many lineups as of yet, I know they played Lolla before – which could set them up for a return.

Last Lolla performance: 2015
Likeliness: 40%

Muna. From the time that Muna first performed at Lolla up until me typing this, they have had a massive amount of success. Their debut album, About U, has been received positively, and their time opening up for Harry Styles on his North American tour earlier this year definitely got them a lot of new fans. I think that this one is up in the air, since they were here in 2016, but many bands return to Lolla in this time frame.

Last Lolla performance: 2016
Likeliness: 40%

The Neighbourhood. Well I’m definitely surprised that they’re on the Coachella bill and it’s honestly insane to me that they’re booked as high as they are – considering they have been off the radar for over three years. They’ve only recently released new music. This band was actually the first set I ever saw at Lollapalooza back in 2013 so I think that 2018 would be a time for them to return.

Last Lolla performance: 2013
Likeliness: 60%

New Politics.
Last Lolla performance: Never (I think)
Likeliness: 60%

Overcoats. They’ve never performed at Lollapalooza and their debut album, Young, landed on a handful of publications’ list of best albums of 2017, as well as some of their songs from the album. I think they would be a perfect fit.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 40%

Paramore. Paramore has never played Lollapalooza and I would say that before their newest release, they weren’t really the genre that Lolla has catered to over the past few years. I would say that this appearance is far more likely after their 2017 release. But I’m still unsure because they played at Riot Fest last year and they may just want to tour and play their own show in Chicago. We’ll see!

Update: Touring with FTP this summer and are playing Chicago first week of July.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 40%

Perfume Genius. I would love to see them but can see Pitchfork being a better match.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 40%

Portugal. The Man. They have blown up IMMENSELY since their last performance at Lolla and just released a new album and are now Grammy nominated. They’ll be back at the Aragon in February but like St. Vincent – that’s plenty of time to come back.

Last Lolla performance: 2014
Likeliness: 80%

Quin XCII 

The Regrettes. One of my favorite acts I stumbled upon in 2017 – loving their sound.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

The Revivalists. They have BLOWN! UP! over the past 6 months or so and it’s crazy because I used to intern at JBTV in Chicago (Google it, it’s neat!) And I remember them performing a set there and I was interacting with them as a 19-year-old intern. Now they have a pretty successful single and are performing at a few fests over the summer.

Last Lolla performance: 2014
Likeliness: 60%

Rex Orange County. Alex O’Connor has had a breakout year and seems like the perfect artist that Lolla likes to grab at the rising moments of their career.

Rostam. Just released solo music since his departure from Vampire Weekend…is touring in early 2018 but can definitely come back…he can maybe be at Pitchfork?

Last Lolla performance: Never (besides from performing with Vampire Weekend)
Likeliness: 60%

Shakey Graves. Please let this happen so I can see him. That’s all!

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 60%

Update: He’s playing a show at The Vic in May…so I’m not sure on this one anymore. 

Sigrid. Love this Norwegian pop-star – has had an incredible 2017 and is definitely an artist to watch in 2018.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Sir Sly. Crazy big 2017, had a huge single that was on the Thirteen Reasons Why soundtrack…and are playing every huge festival that’s been announced thus far (Coachella, Bonnaroo, Shaky Knees, Governors Ball…) need I say more?

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 100%

St. Vincent. Could go either way, but she’s just released new music. She’s performing at the Chicago theater in January – plenty of time to come back.

Last Lolla performance: Never (aside from international Lollas)
Likeliness: 60%

SZA. There’s just no way she’s not there (unless Pitchfork grabs her). Then I’ll be going to Pitchfork.

Update: She’s going on tour with Kendrick Lamar in the Spring. She can easily still be a performer, but Kendrick may be a no.

Last Lolla performance: 2015
Likeliness: 80%

Tom Misch. He’s had a solid 2017 and is touring in early 2018 with a stop at the Metro here in Chicago. I think he’s going to be one to watch in 2018 and the way that Lolla tends to get artists just before they blow up, I think they will grab him.

Last Lolla performance: Never
Likeliness: 80%

Toro Y Moi 

Two Feet

The War On Drugs. They have a gap in their touring schedule from July 28 through August 16. However, they are playing in Milwaukee on on July 22nd…and we all know Lollapalooza has a (flexible) radius clause. I wouldn’t rule them out because of this, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Update: Pitchfork

Wolf Alice. Just released an incredible second album and can easily return after their last performance. I’m uneasy because I haven’t seen them on other festivals for 2018 but I just REALLY want to see them perform Visions of A Life. 

Update: They’re going to be in Europe during Lolla weekend so this isn’t happening. 

Last Lolla performance: 2016
Likeliness: 40%

The Wombats.

Last Lolla Performance: 2015
Likeliness: 80%

They’re dropping a new album out later this year.

Yoke Lore. 
Last Lolla Performance: Never
Likeliness: 40%

Adrian Galvin used to be a member of Walk the Moon until he left the group to pursue his own projects. I’ve been following him for awhile and will be seeing him perform in Chicago later this month. I can see this as a possibility but have doubts because he’s still definitely developing his solo work and may not be on Lolla’s radar yet. But I would definitely be happy to see him on the lineup!

Young the Giant. Was shocked that they weren’t on the 2017 lineup but I’m guessing they will continue to tour their newest album well into next year. I am surprised that they’re not on many other festival lineups thus far, though, so we’ll see.

Last Lolla performance: 2014
Likeliness: 40%

Thanks for reading!