It happens to all of us. At some point in time, you stare at a festival poster and go “I don’t know who these bands are”. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s harder and harder to cut through all of the noise and various outlets to find out who is actually worth listening to. Luckily, I’m here. If you’re looking at the Lollapalooza lineup and you’re lost, these are 7 bands you need to know.

Brigitte Calls Me Baby

Chicago is experiencing a boom in local music not seen since former institutions like Double Door and Lounge Ax were thriving establishments. This is in part due to bands like Brigitte Calls Me Baby, who blew the doors off of Q101’s Twisted XMAS in December when they opened for Lovejoy. Led by crooner Wes Leavins, every bit of media that covers the Chicago act name-checks Morrissey, Roy Orbison, and the almighty Elvis – and rightfully so. Every bit of hype for this band is warranted. Lollapalooza will merely mark another box checked for a band that is crossing off coveted accolades at a remarkably fast rate.

Check out my interview with the band here.

Ethel Cain

Ethel Cain is humungous with Severely Online Gen-Z Teens. Chances are there is 0 overlap between those people and the people reading this, so let me explain: Ethel Cain turned heads with 2022’s Preacher’s Daughter, a daring collection of songs inspired by the Bible Belt and Cain’s Southern Baptist upbringing. In an impressive balancing act, Cain switches between obvious pop sensibilities and dreamy, down-tempo ballads akin to a Lana Del Rey. Preachers Daughter is a daunting hour and fifteen minutes, but the destination justifies the journey. It is immensely satisfying, albeit at times challenging in its subjects. If you are looking for a set to detach yourself from the general chaos of Lollapalooza, Ethel Cain may be your best bet.

Fleshwater

Where is MTV’s 120 Minutes when you need it the most? Fleshwater is a painful example of being in the wrong place at the wrong time – but that also might be what makes them so special. A biting, grungy act that packs enough punch to fill the Seattle-sized hole in your heart, Fleshwater are the unapologetically waving the flag of a bygone era in alt-rock. Their booking at last year’s Riot Fest made a ton of sense, aesthetically. Grant Park will provide a new set of challenges for the Boston-based quartet, however. Thankfully, this band seems up to the task.

Friko

I watched a grown woman cry earlier this month during Friko’s album release show at the Metro. That’s how good they were. Another shining star in Chicago’s vibrant scene, Friko are turning heads all across the globe, literally. Not only did they garner a booking at their hometown festival with Lollapalooza, but the band has captured a cult-like following in Japan, as well, which has led to a booking at Fuji Rock later this year. The band excels at mixing art school-favorites like Bright Eyes and early Modest Mouse with a classic Americana sound. They are writing songs well beyond their years, and you can’t help but feel like this band is only going to get bigger and better as time goes on.

Check out my interview with the band here.

Militarie Gun

Militarie Gun is a juggernaut that cannot be stopped. After a handful of years of relentless touring, Militarie Gun established themselves as some of the one of the finest rock bands in the entire world. Expanding their sound beyond the hardcore roots that frontman Ian Shelton cultivated his sound in, the five-piece pull from BritPop, grunge, and hip hop to produce a fully unique and authentic sound that simply cannot be duplicated. If you missed them in Q101’s Lounge, you have another chance to see them this summer in Grant Park.

Slow Pulp

Slow Pulp began releasing music in 2017, but 2023 marked a catastrophic shift in the way the band is perceived. Another white-hot Chicago band headed to Grant Park this year, Slow Pulp is continuing to rack up new listeners by way of undeniably catchy hooks and heart-wrenching sincerity. With the release of Yard last year, the band has clearly found their groove. They are making emotionally-rich music that is widely palatable, and at this year’s Lollapalooza, they’ll have another chance to showcase their brilliant music to the masses.

Worry Club

Worry Club are getting ready to embark on a tour with emo-adjacent standouts in Spanish Love Songs and Oso Oso. I can think of no better way to warm up for their eventual performance in Grant Park this summer. To-the-point and unapologetic, Chicago’s own Chase from Worry Club isn’t trying to hide how he feels. Song titles like “I Suck”, “BORED”, and “DEATHBLOW” all very clearly represent the maladjusted worldview that this project operates from. If you didn’t get your fill of angst at Sad Summer Fest, which takes place two weeks before Lollapalooza, and you can’t wait to let your rage out until Riot Fest, Worry Club may offer a solution for you.