Hip-hop superstar Megan Thee Stallion continued her “Hot Girl Summer” reign Thursday night at her headlining Lollapalooza set, strutting and dancing in the rain before a swelling crowd of thousands in Grant Park.
She kicked things off with “HISS,” a blazing takedown of her detractors released early this year, delivering lines like “Still going hard with the odds against me” with a cocky winner’s sneer.
Fire burst from the stage as she rapped along to her backing track, which featured her recorded vocals and a live band reinterpreting her songs into theatrical, rock- and nü-metal-leaning numbers.
But it was just Megan Thee Stallion alone onstage initially — a commanding presence swaggering in a sparkling pink two-piece, a cropped jacket (which she soon took off as her set heated up) and white cowboy boots emblazoned with red stars and flames.
With just a turn and a twerk, the Houston rapper sent fans into a screaming frenzy, as if casting a spell.
She was eventually joined onstage by eight dancers in matching pink numbers, who expertly shook, rolled and dropped with an intensity that added even more spark to the night — and was an example for fans who tried to mirror the moves while packed in close.
There is no doubt that Megan Thee Stallion is one of the best hip-hop artists in the game. She’s a dexterous, dynamic rapper who melds her Southern hip-hop foundation with chart-topping, genre-bending singles.
For her live set, Megan balanced her incessant flow with constant choreography. While still rapping impressively throughout, she frequently dropped her mic to let her backing track and audience hit a chorus for her as she danced the demanding choreography that she made look easy.
Adding to the high-wire energy of the night were periodic flashes of lightning among some clouds that finally gave way to a steady pour of rain. Lollapalooza organizers let the show go on without interruption, though.
The set also marked a victory lap of sorts for Megan, coming three years after her Lollapalooza debut and on the tail end of her first-ever headlining tour, which saw her trotting the globe in a testament to her status as one of music’s biggest names.
2023’s “COBRA” was a defiant moment in Grant Park, suffused with empowerment, as if telling her fans that, amid a good time, there’s strength in being vulnerable. Other highlights included 2022’s kiss-off “Plan B,” when the crowd went bar for bar with the rapper and danced in the rain.
About midway through her set, after blazing through her 2020 track, “Girls in the Hood,” Megan took a moment to address some recent backlash to her appearance at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Atlanta.
“They was fake mad that I was popping it with Kamala — and I don’t think they heard what she said,” Megan told the crowd.
“Kamala said: she wants a cease-fire, Kamala said: she supports women’s rights, Kamala said … ‘I’m for the people.’”
Her fans, whom she affectionately calls “hotties” whooped and clapped in response, as Megan continued.
“Tonight, I’m not giving y’all my lightest twerk, I’m giving y’all my hardest twerk in the motherf – – – – – – rain because I want the hotties to have a good motherf – – – – – – time,” she said. “I want the hotties to do what the f – – – they want to do when the f – – – they want to do it. I want the hotties to be bad b – – – – – – all the time.”
Looking over the cheering audience, she capped her statement with one last message.
“Hotties for Harris god- – – – – -!” she said, before going into one of her many sexually liberated anthems, “Sex Talk,” a standout heater from her 2019 record, “Fever.”
Later in her set, Megan would pay homage to her Houston roots with a chopped-and-screwed sample of Frank Ski’s 1992 Baltimore club classic “Whores in the House,” which was soon sped up and gave way to her hit Cardi B collaboration, “WAP.” Roughly 45 minutes into a sweaty, rainy performance, the crowd indeed was wet — and embracing every moment.
At one point, Megan gasped in surprise as Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese walked onto the stage with a friend. Reese and Megan embraced and the rapper went into “Where Them Girls At,” from her latest album, “Megan,” released in June. Reese and her friend stayed onstage for the song, dancing and filming videos. “They really surprised me!” Megan said after the two left the stage.
A testament to Megan’s global reach was seen in her late-set highlight “Mamushi,” her most recent song to spark a viral dance trend on social media. Fans danced ardently and did their best attempts to rap the chorus in Japanese, performed on the song by Tokyo hip-hop artist Yuki Chiba.
The night’s finale began with “Savage,” her 2020 Grammy Award-winning song with fellow Texan Beyoncé. As the song played her out, Megan ascended the stairs of a platform at centerstage, preparing to leave. But her backup dancers started to cheer for her, prompting her to sit at the top of the steps, appearing overcome with emotion as she looked out onto a crowd showering her with applause. The dancers soon embraced her and she stood up to lead everyone in one last chorus.
Now past the 10 p.m. cut-off, as some audience members exited and others pushed closer to the stage, Megan treated fans to one last installment in the serpent theme — “BOA.”
Before leaving the stage, she made a heart with her hands.
“I love you, Chicago! I’ll see you soon. Goodnight, hotties.”
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Megan Thee Stallion Lollapalooza set list
- HISS
- Ungrateful
- Thot S – – –
- Freak Nasty
- Megan’s Piano
- Gift and a Curse
- Hot Girl
- Kitty Kat
- Cobra
- Plan B
- Cognac Queen
- Big Ole Freak
- Girls in the Hood
- Sex Talk
- WAP
- Wanna Be
- Where Them Girls At
- Mamushi
- Body
- Savage
- BOA
Lollapalooza 2024 in photos
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Tyla performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Iverson Woods and Jade Flournoy pose for a photo on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
Matt Hansen performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Festival goers enjoy Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chappell Roan performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chappell Roan fans wait at the barricade before her set on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Adan Diaz performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A fan holds the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A fan pretends to bite the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Labrinth performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.
|
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Stay Safe Lolla is displayed on a tower prior to Megan Thee Stallion performing on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
|
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Kids watch Taj Farrant perform at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dress up as the Power Rangers as thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans listen to Wisp on the Second day of LollaPalloza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Ava Maybee performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Queen Herby performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Taj Farrant performs at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Laufey performs with the Chicago Philharmonic on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
|
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Festivalgoers dance at Casa Bacardí during day three of Lollapallooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
|
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
